Simple Facts
| Geography: 449,000 sq. km |
| Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway |
| Population: 8.8 million |
| Capital: Stockholm |
| Ethnic Make-up: Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities |
| Language: Swedish |
| Currency: Swedish Krona |
Economic Snapshot
Whilst enjoying a peaceful history for the last century, Sweden has achieved a high standard of living through a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. Sweden joined the EU at the start of 1995. Sweden has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP and 2% of the jobs. Although the government achieved a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, this was cut by more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown.
Cost of Living
| One bedroom apartment: $400 - 750 (bigger cities) |
| Monthly tram ticket: $40 |
| Cost of meal in a restaurant: $20 |
| Glass of beer: $2.50 |
| Coffee: $1.50 |
| Big Mac: $2.50 |
| Cinema Ticket: $11 |
Recent History
| 1905 | Norway gains independence. |
| 1914-18 | World War I; Sweden is neutral. |
| 1932 | Social Democrats elected. |
| 1939-45 | World War II; Sweden remains neutral. |
| 1986 | Social Democrat Prime Minister Olof Palme is assassinated. |
| 1991 | The Social Democratic government applies to join the European Union. |
| 1994 | Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson is elected. |
| 1996 | Goran Persson is elected Prime Minister. |
| 1997 | EMU membership, welfare cuts and relatively high unemployment remain key issues ahead of national elections set for September 1998. |
| 1998 | Goran Persson is re-elected Prime Minister. |
| 2000 | Referendum to be held on EMU membership - Sweden will not participate in the European common currency, the Euro. |
Culture Tips
- Always be punctual and on time, personally and in business.
- Swedes can be formal at first meeting, especially in business or formal social situations. Therefore, it is safest to refer to yourself and others with family names and titles; however, you may quickly move to first names.
- Send a handwritten thank you note the next day after being invited into someone's home.
- Swedes are quality-of-life-and precision-driven, but also for the benefit of the greater society. They believe that the emphasis on quality should always be for social group benefit, not to comply with a higher code.
- Many Swedes are not legally married. In fact, almost 50% of marriages are common-law marriages: it is typical for couples to live together without the benefit of state sanction. Do not pass judgment.
- Children are respected as individuals and are encouraged to learn through their own efforts.
- Do not compare or confuse the Swedes with Danes or Norwegians: it is resented. While also Scandinavian, their history is separate, and Swedes do not appreciate being lumped together with the others.
- Sweden played the central, aristocratic dominant culture in medieval Scandinavia for several centuries. The Swedes are sensitive to the fact that other Nordics, specifically the Norwegians and Finns, sometimes resent them as colonial dominators of the region.
- Pay attention to when shops are open and closed; the hours can vary. Sweden has one of Europe's shortest work weeks, and stores can open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 5:30 or 6:00 p.m., or by 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
- Remember that 'customer service' has different meanings; be prepared to adjust your expectations.
Links
The following sites provide additional information about Sweden
http://www.sweden.com/
http://www.sverigeturism.se/smorgasbord/
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/sw.html
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