1. Facts about Sweden

2. GENERAL INFORMATION General Facts
Area: 450,000 km2 (174,000 sq miles)
9 million inhabitants
Capital: Stockholm
Other major cities: Göteborg, Malmö
Language: Swedish

3. GENERAL INFORMATION General Facts
Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy
Head of state: King Carl XVI Gustaf
Prime minister: Göran Persson (leader of the Social Democratic Party)
Currency: 1 Swedish krona (SEK) = 100 öre, equal to approximately
EUR 0.11or USD 0.14
Average life expectancy: men 77 years, women 82 years

4. GENERAL INFORMATION Geography
Forests (mostly coniferous): 54%
Mountains: 17%
Cultivated land: 8%
Lakes and rivers: 9%
Highest mountain: Kebnekaise, 2,111 m (6,926 ft)
Distance north–south: 1,574 km (977 miles)
Distance east–west: 499 km (310 miles)

5. GENERAL INFORMATION The Swedish Language
Swedish—national language of Sweden, native tongue of some
90 per cent of its inhabitants
Nordic language, belonging to the Germanic branch of the Indo-European
family of languages
Also spoken by about 300,000 Finno-Swedes in Finland
One common language in Scandinavia until the 9th century. Many runic
inscriptions from this period
German has influenced Swedish more than any other foreign language
Swedish taught at some 200 universities outside Sweden

6. ARTS & CULTURE Popular Education
Cultural activities mostly under the auspices of popular movements and amateur theatre organizations
11 educational associations, each with its own ideological profile, have local branches in most municipalities
1,700 art clubs
400,000 sing regularly in choirs

7. EDUCATION & RESEARCH Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prizes
Alfred Nobel (1833–1896), inventor, global industrial magnate, linguist, philosopher and humanist
The Nobel prizes are awarded for Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace (Norway). Since 1969 there is also
a prize in Economics in honor of Alfred Nobel
In 2003 the prizes were each worth SEK 10 million

8. EDUCATION & RESEARCH Compulsory Schooling
9 years’ compulsory education
More than 97% of all pupils attend municipal compulsory schools
Few private schools. They generally receive government grants
Parents and pupils shall have a free choice of municipal schools and can also opt for publicly-funded independent schools
The municipalities bear overall responsibility for the implementation
and development of education within the school system

9. EDUCATION & RESEARCH Compulsory Schooling
Instruction, teaching material, school lunches and school transport are free of charge
Parents and pupils shall have a free choice of municipal schools and can also opt for publicly-funded independent schools
School health care for all pupils
Schooling for pupils with learning difficulties is compulsory for nine years plus one optional year
English is the compulsory first foreign language
Home language instruction available for pupils speaking a language other than Swedish

10. EDUCATION & RESEARCH Education and research
All children and young people in Sweden have equal access to education, regardless of ethnic and social background or residential locality
Education is free on all levels
Very few private schools and colleges
Strong ambition to increase the number of women in leading academic posts

11. EDUCATION & RESEARCH Higher Education
No tuition fees
Undergraduate education:
– Diploma or certificate (2 years)
– Bachelor’s degree (3 years)
– Master’s degree (4 years)
Courses of varying length for professional degrees

12. EDUCATION & RESEARCH Higher Education
To be admitted to post-graduate education, an undergraduate program of at least 3 years’ duration must be completed
Four years of doctoral studies and an approved dissertation are required for a doctorate
Study assistance available to all students who need help to finance their studies
Students are represented on decision-making bodies

13. EDUCATION & RESEARCH Research System
Sweden is one of the countries that invests the largest percentage of its Gross Domestic Product in R&D
Most research carried out in universities,university colleges, institutes of technology, professional schools etc
Companies account for some 75% of R&D expenditure
Long tradition of state funding for research
Ministry of Education and Science has overall responsibility for research policy

14. The Swedish Institute (SI) is a public agency established to disseminate knowledge abroad about Sweden's social and cultural life, to promote cultural and informational exchange with other countries and to contribute to increased international cooperation in the fields of education and research. The Swedish Institute produces a wide range of publications on many aspects of Swedish society. These can be obtained directly from the Swedish Institute or from Swedish diplomatic missions abroad, and many are available on Sweden.se.
SWEDEN.SE – the official gateway to Sweden – is Sweden's official Internet portal on It includes almost everything you need to know about Sweden, ranging from basic facts about Swedish society to business issues, politics, news, cultural life and current affairs.
In the Sweden Bookshop on Slottsbacken 10 in Stockholm's Old Town, as well as on you can buy nonfiction, brochures and richly illustrated gift books on Sweden as well as a broad selection of Swedish fiction and children's books – in English and many other languages – and Swedish language courses.
The Swedish Institute
Box 7434
SE– Stockholm
Sweden
Phone: +46–8–
Fax: +46–8–
Internet:
Photo page 1: Oscar Falk / Clooning /