The Human Truth Foundation

Sweden

http://www.humantruth.info/sweden.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#humanism #scandinavia #sweden

Sweden
Kingdom of Sweden
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index4th best
CapitalStockholm
Land Area 410 340km21
LocationEurope, Scandinavia
Population10.0m2
Life Expectancy82.98yrs (2017)3
GNI$54 489 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesSE, SWE, 7525
Internet Domain.se6
CurrencyKronoa (SEK)7
Telephone+468

1. Overview

A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both world wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 and 2009 by the global economic downturns, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverFrozen wastelands, cosy cottages, virgin forest, rocky islands, reindeer herders and Viking lore - Sweden has all that and mad style, too. As progressive and civilised as it may be, Sweden is a wild place. Its scenery ranges from barren moonscapes and impenetrable forests in the far north to sunny beaches and lush farmland further south. Its short summers and long winters mean that people cling to every last speck of sunshine on a late August evening - crayfish parties on seaside decks can stretch into the wee hours. In winter locals rely on candlelight and glögg to warm their spirits.

But lovers of the outdoors will thrive here in any season: winter sees skiing and dogsledding and aurora borealis, while the warmer months invite long hikes, sunbathing and swimming, canoeing and cycling under the midnight sun - you name it, if it´s fun and can be done outdoors, you´ll find it here. For less rugged types, there´s always restaurant and nightclub hopping and museum perusing in cosmopolitan Stockholm, lively Göteborg and beyond.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Sweden National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
4Hong Kong0.952
5Australia0.951
6Denmark0.948
7Sweden0.947
8Ireland0.945
9Germany0.942
10Netherlands0.941
11Finland0.940
12Singapore0.939
Europe Avg0.87
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
4Luxembourg$84 649
5Ireland$76 169
...
13Netherlands$55 979
14Iceland$55 782
15Germany$54 534
16Sweden$54 489
17Austria$53 619
18Kuwait$52 920
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12,13
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12,13
1Taiwan28.6
2Norway29.4
3Denmark31.2
4Sweden32.2
5Finland32.6
6Netherlands33.8
7Germany35.4
8Austria36.3
9New Zealand36.4
10Canada37.3
11Switzerland37.7
12Iceland39.1
Europe Avg57.3
World Avg86.1
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

Sweden's position towards the top of social development and stability charts is not purely a modern phenomenon; in 1942 the classical theorist Schumpeter referred to the nations's famous progressiveness:

Take Sweden... Like her art, her science, her politics, her social institutions and much besides, her socialism and her socialists owe their distinction not to any peculiar features of principle or intention, but to the stuff the Swedish nation is made of and to its exceptionally well-balanced social structure. That is why it is so absurd for other nations to try to copy Swedish examples; the only effective way of doing so would be to import the Swedes and to put them in charge.

"Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy" by Joseph A. Schumpeter (1942)14

3. Sweden's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Sweden's population is predicted to rise to 10.38 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.93. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population (2018)2
Pos.
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
4Indonesia267.7m
5Pakistan212.2m
...
85Dominican Rep.10.6m
86Greece10.5m
87Portugal10.3m
88Sweden10.0m
89Jordan10.0m
90Azerbaijan9.9m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
6Malta83.8
7S. Korea83.7
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate (2013)15
Pos.2.0 is best15
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
4France1.99
5Turkey2.04
6Australia1.96
7Uruguay2.05
8Norway1.95
9Myanmar (Burma)1.95
10Indonesia2.07
11Sweden1.93
12Tunisia1.93
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio (2016)16
Pos.Lower is better
Per 10016
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3Chad04.7
4Burkina Faso04.7
5Sierra Leone04.8
...
160Poland36.3
161Singapore36.5
162Latvia36.7
163Sweden37.0
164Bulgaria37.0
165Denmark37.1
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants (2017)17
Pos.
%17
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
4Liechtenstein65.1%
5Monaco54.9%
...
23Canada21.5%
24Kazakhstan20.0%
25Austria19.0%
26Sweden17.6%
27Equatorial Guinea17.5%
28Ireland16.9%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants (2010)18
Pos.
%18
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
4Grenada65.5%
5St Kitts & Nevis61.1%
...
133Mauritania3.5%
134Canada3.5%
135Algeria3.4%
136Sweden3.4%
137Ghana3.4%
138Nepal3.3%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #saudi_arabia #sweden #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)19,20
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank19,20
1Sweden9.2
2Norway14.7
3Denmark14.7
4Netherlands15.8
5New Zealand17.5
6Iceland20.1
7Canada21.2
8Austria22.5
9Luxembourg23.9
10Finland23.9
11Australia24.1
12Hong Kong24.3
Europe Avg50.3
World Avg87.7
q=199.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Sweden leads the world, setting excellent examples. Sweden does the best for the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)21. It does the second-best for its nominal commitment to Human Rights22. It comes in the best 20 for LGBT equality23 (one of the highest in Europe), its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice24 (the best in Europe), opposing gender inequality25, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports26, freethought27, supporting press freedom28, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms29 and in speed of uptake of HR treaties30 (amongst the best in Europe). Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2009, improving upon homosexual "civil-unions" that were available since 199531. Human Rights Watch's 2018 report states that Sweden's support of women's rights at home and internationally has been notable, especially in supporting women and girls in Saudi Arabia32.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Sweden's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #Sweden #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2020)33,34
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank33,34
1Monaco13.0
2Norway61.0
3Finland65.3
4Switzerland65.6
5Italy67.5
...
9Denmark74.3
10Germany74.4
11Austria74.5
12Sweden75.6
13Iceland76.9
14Netherlands77.0
15Greece77.4
Europe Avg82.5
q=46.
Health (2020)33,34
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank33,34
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
4Singapore42.6
5Japan51.0
...
31Austria74.5
32Iran75.5
33Antigua & Barbuda75.6
34Sweden75.6
35UAE75.8
36Iceland76.9
37Netherlands77.0
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives33. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau33.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean33, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa33.

For more, see:

Health:

Sweden does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Sweden does the best when it comes to its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance35. It comes in the best 20 in terms of its average life expectancy11 and in its adolescent birth rate25. It does better than average in terms of its fertility rate15 (but bad for Europe). But, there's bad news too. Sweden does worse than average in its suicide rate36, its smoking rate37 (still low for Europe), its alcohol consumption rate38 (still good for Europe) and in its immunizations take-up39 (one of the worst in Europe). The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 40 years.

Life Expectancy (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
6Malta83.8
7S. Korea83.7
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption (2016)38
Pos.Lower is better
Per Capita38
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
4Mauritania0.0
5Somalia0.0
...
134Canada8.9
135Rwanda9.0
136Iceland9.1
137Sweden9.2
138Chile9.3
139Grenada9.3
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate (2013)15
Pos.2.0 is best15
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
4France1.99
5Turkey2.04
6Australia1.96
7Uruguay2.05
8Norway1.95
9Myanmar (Burma)1.95
10Indonesia2.07
11Sweden1.93
12Tunisia1.93
Europe Avg1.61
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates (2014)37
Pos.Higher is worse37
182Montenegro4 125
181Belarus3 831
180Lebanon3 023
179Macedonia2 732
178Russia2 690
...
114Thailand 895
113Iran 869
112Laos 836
111Sweden 831
110UK 827
109Papua New Guinea 826
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate (2013)36
Pos.
Per 100k36
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
4Jordan0.2
5Maldives0.7
...
62Cuba24.5
63Romania24.5
64Bulgaria25
65Sweden25.5
66Slovakia25.7
67Czechia28.3
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance (2017)35
Pos.Lower is better
Rank35
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
4UK4
5Norway5
6Switzerland6
7Germany7
8Canada8
9Netherlands9
10USA10
11Luxembourg11
12Finland12
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults (2016)40
Pos.Lower is better
%40
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
4Ethiopia20.9
5Nepal21.0
...
105Bolivia56.1
106Slovenia56.1
107Slovakia56.2
108Sweden56.4
109Brazil56.5
110Germany56.8
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate (2015)25
Pos.Lower is better
Per 100025
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
4Hong Kong3.2
5Slovenia3.8
6Singapore3.8
7Netherlands4.0
8Denmark4.0
9Japan4.1
10Cyprus5.0
11Sweden5.7
12Norway5.9
Europe Avg14.6
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 (2015)39
Pos.Higher is better
Avg %39
1Hungary99.0
2China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
4Niue98.8
5Mongolia98.7
...
162Gabon78.7
163Micronesia78.2
164Philippines77.9
165Sweden77.8
166Ivory Coast76.9
167Congo, DR76.5
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Sweden's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)20
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank20
1Finland8.4
2Switzerland15.1
3Estonia15.8
4Denmark16.0
5Belgium16.1
6Czechia16.7
7Sweden18.6
8Germany18.6
9Iceland19.6
10Austria19.6
11Norway21.0
12Slovenia21.3
13UK21.5
Europe Avg41.2
q=49.
Modernity and Learning (2020)20
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank20
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
4Estonia15.8
5Denmark16.0
6Belgium16.1
7Czechia16.7
8New Zealand17.6
9Sweden18.6
10Germany18.6
11Australia19.2
12Iceland19.6
13Austria19.6
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research and Development (2016)
Pos.Higher is better
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2941
2Israel4.1141
3Japan3.5841
4Finland3.1741
5Sweden3.1641
6Denmark3.0541
7Taiwan3.0141
8Austria3.0042
9Switzerland2.9643
10Germany2.8441
11USA2.7444
12Belgium2.4641
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education (2018)45
Pos.Higher is better45
1Luxembourg100.0%
2Estonia100.0%
3Austria100.0%
4Canada100.0%
5Finland100.0%
...
42Serbia89.5%
43Denmark89.3%
44Israel89.1%
45Sweden88.9%
46Mongolia88.8%
47Bahamas88.4%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling (2021)46
Pos.Higher is better
Years46
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
4Belgium19.6
5Sweden19.4
6Iceland19.2
7Finland19.1
8Ireland18.9
9Denmark18.7
10Netherlands18.7
11Grenada18.7
12Turkey18.3
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours (2017)35
Pos.Lower is better
Rank35
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
4Denmark4
5UK5
...
14Bulgaria14
15Iceland15
16Bosnia & Herzegovina16
17Sweden17
18Lithuania18
19Macedonia19
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading (2015)47
Pos.Higher is better
Score47
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
4Macau1582
5Estonia1573
...
23UK1499
24Portugal1491
25France1487
26Sweden1487
27Austria1477
28Russia1476
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity (2018)48
Pos.Lower is better
%48
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4Switzerland9
5Denmark9
6Germany10
7UK10
8Sweden10
9Japan10
10Finland10
11Latvia11
12France11
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ (2006)49
Pos.Higher is better49
1Hong Kong108
2Singapore108
3S. Korea106
4Japan105
5Taiwan105
...
17Germany99
18Finland99
19Estonia99
20Sweden99
21Belgium99
22Canada99
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users (2016)50
Pos.Higher is better50
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
4Bermuda97%
5Andorra97%
6Denmark96%
7Liechtenstein96%
8Luxembourg95%
9Netherlands94%
10Sweden93%
11Monaco93%
12UK93%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IT Security (2013)51
Pos.Lower is better51
1Ireland0.11
2Luxembourg0.11
3Belize0.11
4Hong Kong0.12
5Mexico0.16
...
15Latvia0.33
16Pakistan0.38
17Taiwan0.44
18Sweden0.44
19Romania0.52
20Turkey0.52
Europe Avg0.80
World Avg0.98
q=81.
IPv6 Uptake (2017)52
Pos.Higher is better
Ratio52
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
4USA35.0
5Greece33.5
...
33Bolivia5.0
34Macau4.2
35Singapore4.0
36Sweden3.8
37Poland3.6
38Thailand3.3
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

7. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

Sweden has one of the best records on keeping corruption low, although there are some worsening perceptions in recent years.

World Giving Index (2013-2021)53
Pos.Lower is better53
1Myanmar (Burma)2.7
2New Zealand4.0
3USA4.7
4Australia4.9
5Indonesia9.0
...
39Zambia37.4
40Jamaica38.5
41Switzerland38.5
42Sweden38.9
43Cyprus39.1
44Northern Cyprus39.3
Europe Avg75.2
World Avg67.9
q=160.
Corruption (2022)54
Pos.Higher is better
Points54
1Denmark90.0
2Finland87.0
3New Zealand87.0
4Norway84.0
5Singapore83.0
6Sweden83.0
7Switzerland82.0
8Netherlands80.0
9Germany79.0
10Ireland77.0
11Luxembourg77.0
12Hong Kong76.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.
Happiness (2018)55
Pos.Higher is better55
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
4Iceland7.5
5Switzerland7.5
6Netherlands7.4
7Canada7.3
8New Zealand7.3
9Sweden7.3
10Australia7.3
11Israel7.2
12Austria7.1
Europe Avg6.06
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity and Culture (2017)35
Pos.Lower is better
Rank35
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
4Switzerland4
5Sweden5
6Denmark6
7Austria7
8Ireland8
9Czechia9
10Luxembourg10
11UK11
12Portugal12
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid and Development (2017)35
Pos.Lower is better
Rank35
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
4Netherlands4
5Switzerland5
6Serbia6
7Belgium7
8Norway8
9Finland9
10Croatia10
11Georgia11
12Philippines12
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

8. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index (2021)56
Pos.Lower is better56
1Iceland1.10
2New Zealand1.25
3Denmark1.26
4Portugal1.27
5Slovenia1.32
...
12Japan1.37
13Finland1.40
14Norway1.44
15Sweden1.46
16Australia1.47
17Germany1.48
Europe Avg1.69
World Avg2.08
q=163.
Peacekeeping and Security (2017)35
Pos.Lower is better
Rank35
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
4Egypt4
5Nigeria5
...
64Denmark64
65Austria65
66Ghana66
67Sweden67
68Congo, (Brazzaville)68
69Bulgaria69
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees and UN Treaties (2017)35
Pos.Lower is better
Rank35
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
4Sweden4
5Malta5
6Australia6
7Norway7
8Finland8
9Denmark9
10Switzerland10
11Canada11
12UK12
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism (2019)57
Pos.Lower is better
Score57
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
4Equatorial Guinea0.00
5Cambodia0.00
...
92Spain3.35
93Bolivia3.39
94Algeria3.41
95Sweden3.45
96Sri Lanka3.57
97Canada3.59
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

9. The Natural Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #over-exploitation #the_environment

Forest Area Change 1990-2015 (2015)58
Pos.Higher is better
%58
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
4Kuwait+81.2
5Dominican Rep.+79.5
...
75Tajikistan+01.0
76Slovakia+01.0
77Russia+00.8
78Sweden+00.8
79Mongolia+00.1
80Japan00.0
Europe Avg+15.0
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance (2018)59
Pos.Higher is better59
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
4Malta80.9
5Sweden80.5
6UK79.9
7Luxembourg79.1
8Austria79.0
9Ireland78.8
10Finland78.6
11Iceland78.6
12Spain78.4
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency (2014)60
Pos.Higher is better60
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
4Colombia17.54
5Ireland17.54
...
59Slovakia09.09
60Jordan09.09
61Slovenia08.85
62Sweden08.62
63Belgium08.47
64Guatemala08.47
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Pos.Earlier is better
Signed
1China1993 Dec 29
2Guinea1993 Dec 29
3Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
4Vanuatu1993 Dec 29
5Papua New Guinea1993 Dec 29
...
35Nepal1994 Feb 21
36Czechia1994 Mar 03
37Barbados1994 Mar 10
38Sweden1994 Mar 16
39Spain1994 Mar 21
40Portugal1994 Mar 21
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment (2011)61
Pos.Higher is better
%61
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
4Trinidad & Tobago74.5%
5Costa Rica74.2%
...
110Armenia25.3%
111Kazakhstan25.0%
112Iraq24.9%
113Sweden24.3%
114New Zealand24.2%
115Poland23.8%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy (2019)62
Pos.Higher is worse62
184Chad40.90
183Central African Rep.40.10
182Sierra Leone39.00
181Somalia38.90
180Nigeria37.10
...
7Finland3.00
6Japan2.90
5Slovenia2.90
4Sweden2.90
3Hong Kong2.50
2Singapore2.50
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) (2017)63
Pos.Lower is better
%63
1Ukraine25.0
2Belarus25.4
3Slovenia25.4
4Czechia25.9
5Moldova25.9
...
16Serbia28.5
17Timor-Leste (E. Timor)28.7
18Albania29.0
19Sweden29.2
20Malta29.4
21Iraq29.5
Europe Avg31.5
World Avg38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#afterlife #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #good_governance #heaven #hell #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation #sweden #universalism

Religiosity (2018)48
Pos.Lower is better
%48
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4Switzerland9
5Denmark9
6Germany10
7UK10
8Sweden10
9Japan10
10Finland10
11Latvia11
12France11
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)64
Pos.Higher is better
%64
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
4Czechia61
5Estonia49
6Denmark48
7France44
8Belgium43
9Netherlands42
10Germany42
11UK42
12Cuba40
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below65:

Christian67.2%
Muslim4.6%
Hindu0.2%
Buddhist0.4%
Folk Religion0.2%
Jew0.1%
Unaffiliated27%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 71.9% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (64%). This is due to the so-called 'Census Effect', whereby many put down a religion for cultural reasons rather than because it reflects their beliefs. In highly Christian countries, as many as half of those who say they're a Christian lack any connection to a Church, and do not hold Christian beliefs (such as believing in God!).

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 72.7% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 10% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%66.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Sweden67. Despite the large numbers of Christians, not many have traditional beliefs in the afterlife - just 3%. More people don't know what to believe (41%). Some believe that upon death, you simply cease to exist (30%). Also, 1% specifically believe in heaven but not in hell (which is nice - making them possible "universalists"). 5% believe in reincarnation.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)68, in which they document bias and prejudice at the national level that is based on religion, belief and/or lack of belief. Their entry for Sweden states:

The constitution and other laws and policies protect freedom of religion or belief. Members of religious communities are allowed to designate part of their income tax to go to their church, but the nonreligious have consistently been refused the right to designate their Humanist Association to enjoy the same privilege.

Chapter 16 Section 8 of the penal code criminalizes "A person who, in a disseminated statement or communication, threatens or expresses contempt for a national, ethnic or other such group of persons with allusion to race, colour, national or ethnic origin or religious belief..."

"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)69

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