Sweden

Sweden Kingdom of Sweden
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	3rd best
Capital	Stockholm
Land Area	410 340km21
Location	Europe, Scandinavia
Population	10.0m2
Life Expectancy	82.98yrs (2017)3
GNI	$54 489 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	SE, SWE, 7525
Internet Domain	.se6
Currency	Kronoa (SEK)7
Telephone	+468

1. Overview
2. Sweden National and Social Development
3. Sweden's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Sweden's Health
   1. Health Datasets
   2. Children's Health Datasets
6. Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Sweden's Modernity and Learning
   1. Modernity Datasets
   2. Education Datasets
   3. Technology and Information Datasets
8. Sweden's Culture, Peace and Inequality
   1. National Culture Datasets
   2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets
   3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

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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

“Frozen 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 #sweden #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
4	Hong Kong	0.952
5	Australia	0.951
6	Denmark	0.948
7	Sweden	0.947
8	Ireland	0.945
9	Germany	0.942
10	Netherlands	0.941
11	Finland	0.940
12	Singapore	0.939
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
13	Netherlands	$55 979
14	Iceland	$55 782
15	Germany	$54 534
16	Sweden	$54 489
17	Austria	$53 619
18	Kuwait	$52 920
19	San Marino	$52 654
20	Belgium	$52 293
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	26.9
2	Norway	29.1
3	Sweden	29.9
4	Netherlands	31.0
5	Switzerland	31.5
6	Finland	32.4
7	Belgium	36.7
8	Luxembourg	36.7
9	Japan	38.0
10	Iceland	38.0
11	France	38.2
12	Germany	38.8
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	89.0
q=200.

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)₁₃

3. Sweden's Demographics and Migration

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

Population Datasets:

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 1.52. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - 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 (two new children for each set of parents who die), 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, once you take mortality into account₁₄. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₅

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
85	Dominican Rep.	10.6m
86	Greece	10.5m
87	Portugal	10.3m
88	Sweden	10.0m
89	Jordan	10.0m
90	Azerbaijan	9.9m
91	Hungary	9.7m
92	UAE	9.6m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
8	Liechtenstein	83.3
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
13	Singapore	82.8
14	Iceland	82.7
15	Canada	82.7
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best16
Pos.		202216
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
82=	Croatia	1.53
82=	Belgium	1.53
84	Costa Rica	1.52
85=	Sweden	1.52
85=	Hungary	1.52
87	St Kitts & Nevis	1.51
88	Kosovo	1.51
89	Belarus	1.50
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better17
Pos.		2016 Per 10017
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
160	Poland	36.3
161	Singapore	36.5
162	Latvia	36.7
163=	Sweden	37.0
163=	Bulgaria	37.0
165	Denmark	37.1
166	Bosnia & Herzegovina	37.3
167	S. Korea	37.6
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants18
Pos.		2017 %18
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
23	Canada	21.5%
24	Kazakhstan	20.0%
25	Austria	19.0%
26	Sweden	17.6%
27	Equatorial Guinea	17.5%
28	Ireland	16.9%
29	Cyprus	16.0%
30	Belize	16.0%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants19
Pos.		2010 %19
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
133	Mauritania	3.5%
134	Canada	3.5%
135	Algeria	3.4%
136	Sweden	3.4%
137	Ghana	3.4%
138	Nepal	3.3%
139	Bangladesh	3.3%
140	Botswana	3.2%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

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

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)20
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank20
1	Sweden	7.8
2	Netherlands	8.7
3	Denmark	8.8
4	Norway	9.2
5	Iceland	15.7
6	Canada	16.7
7	Finland	17.4
8	Luxembourg	17.8
9	Belgium	18.7
10	New Zealand	18.9
	Europe Avg	47.37
	World Avg	89.80
q=199.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Sweden leads the world, setting excellent examples. Sweden performs the best in terms of its average Freedom in the World rating and in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₁. It does the second-best when it comes to its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₂. It comes in the best 20 in terms of combatting modern slavery₂₃, opposing gender inequality₂₄, supporting press freedom₂₅, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₆ (the best in Europe), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₇, freethought₂₈ and in supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₉. And finally, it does better than average in terms of LGBT equality in the 2020s₃₀. 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:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Sweden

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 (2025)33
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank33
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Sweden	42.3
4	San Marino	42.3
5	Norway	43.1
6	Iceland	44.4
7	France	45.9
8=	Denmark	47.3
8=	Luxembourg	47.3
10	Netherlands	48.3
11	Switzerland	48.5
12	Finland	49.2
13	Belgium	51.1
	Europe Avg	86.87
q=48.

Health (2025)33
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank33
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	37.3
4	Singapore	41.1
5	Sweden	42.3
6	San Marino	42.3
7	Norway	43.1
8	Iceland	44.4
9	France	45.9
10=	Denmark	47.3
10=	Luxembourg	47.3
12	Netherlands	48.3
	World Avg	97.57
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₃₄. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₃₄.

42 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on 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, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₄, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₄.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

5.1. Health Datasets

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #smoking #suicide #sweden

Sweden does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Sweden does the best in terms of its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₅. It comes in the best 20 in terms of childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₆, its average life expectancy₁₁ and in its adolescent birth rate₃₇. It does better than average in delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₃₈ and in its fertility rate₁₆. Sweden doesn't do so well in other areas. Sweden does worse than average for its suicide rate₃₉, its smoking rate₄₀, its alcohol consumption rate₄₁ (still low for Europe), the prevalence of overweight adults₄₂ and in delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₄₃ (amongst the worst in Europe). The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Sweden in 1990-2 and 1994-5 was the fifth highest in the world, at 77.6yrs. It improved this by another +5.5yrs in the 30 years from 1990, although less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Sweden has had a long-term consistent fertility rate, and is one of only 22 countries to vary by less than 1.0 each decade since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 2.47 in 1964.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
8	Liechtenstein	83.3
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
13	Singapore	82.8
14	Iceland	82.7
15	Canada	82.7
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better41
Pos.		2016 Per Capita41
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
134=	Canada	8.9
135	Rwanda	9.0
136	Iceland	9.1
137	Sweden	9.2
138=	Chile	9.3
138=	Grenada	9.3
138=	S. Africa	9.3
141=	St Kitts & Nevis	9.4
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best16
Pos.		202216
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
82=	Croatia	1.53
82=	Belgium	1.53
84	Costa Rica	1.52
85=	Sweden	1.52
85=	Hungary	1.52
87	St Kitts & Nevis	1.51
88	Kosovo	1.51
89	Belarus	1.50
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better40
Pos.		Total %40
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
102	Italy	22.5%
103	Samoa	22.6%
104	Vietnam	22.6%
105	Sweden	22.7%
106	Afghanistan	22.7%
107	Luxembourg	23.0%
108	China	23.4%
109	Poland	23.6%
	Europe Avg	27.0%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Suicide Rate39
Pos.		2013 Per 100k39
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
62=	Cuba	24.5
62=	Romania	24.5
64	Bulgaria	25
65	Sweden	25.5
66	Slovakia	25.7
67	Czechia	28.3
68	Suriname	28.7
69	Hong Kong	29.7
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
4	UK	4
5	Norway	5
6	Switzerland	6
7	Germany	7
8	Canada	8
9	Netherlands	9
10	USA	10
11	Luxembourg	11
12	Finland	12
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better42
Pos.		1976 %42
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
136	Slovakia	37.0
137	Luxembourg	37.9
138=	Mexico	38.1
138=	Sweden	38.1
140=	Belarus	38.2
140=	Croatia	38.2
142	Germany	38.7
143=	Bahamas	38.8
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better44
Pos.		2022 %44
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
61	Sudan	15.5%
62	Comoros	15.5%
63	Liberia	16.2%
64	Sweden	16.4%
65	Netherlands	16.9%
66	Austria	17.0%
67	Equatorial Guinea	17.2%
68	Botswana	17.5%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better37
Pos.		2022 Per 100037
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
9	Japan	2.8
10	UAE	2.8
11	Liechtenstein	3.0
12	Sweden	3.3
13	San Marino	3.7
14	Italy	3.9
15	Finland	4.1
16	Luxembourg	4.2
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better38
Pos.		Total Avg %38
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
59=	Switzerland	96.6
59=	Egypt	96.6
59=	Poland	96.6
62=	Sweden	96.5
62=	Mongolia	96.5
64	St Vincent & Grenadines	96.4
65=	Uzbekistan	96.3
65=	Tuvalu	96.3
	Europe Avg	93.2
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better43
Pos.		2015 Avg %43
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
162	Gabon	78.7
163	Micronesia	78.2
164	Philippines	77.9
165	Sweden	77.8
166	Ivory Coast	76.9
167	Congo, DR	76.5
168	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	76.5
169	Indonesia	76.4
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better36
Pos.		Total Per 100036
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
4	Iceland	2.64
5	Singapore	2.68
6	Slovenia	2.72
7	Norway	2.78
8=	Sweden	2.87
8=	Japan	2.87
10	Cyprus	3.03
11	Czechia	3.18
12	Estonia	3.39
	Europe Avg	6.30
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

After a successful decrease, in the 2000s, Sweden managed to place with the 10 countries with the lowest adolescent birth rate.

6. Responsibility Towards The Environment

#climate_change #environmentalism #internationalism #Sweden #Sweden_environment #sweden_environmentalism #the_environment

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)45
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank45
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
59	Togo	71.1
60	Netherlands	71.1
61	Luxembourg	71.4
62	Sweden	71.8
63	Finland	71.9
64	Yemen	71.9
	Europe Avg	86.45
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

Sweden comes 62nd in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This is computed using 21 data sets. Sweden does the best in terms of its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. It comes in the best 20 in terms of its score on the Green Future Index₄₆ and in its environmental performance₄₇. But, things could still be better. Sweden does worse than average in terms of the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₈, energy to GDP efficiency₄₉, reducing annual meat consumption per person₅₀ (still good for Europe) and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₅₁.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Sweden's Responsibility Towards The Environment

7. Sweden's Modernity and Learning

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

Compared to Europe (2025)52
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank52
1	Vatican City	1.0
2	Finland	4.8
3	Belgium	8.5
4	Denmark	8.9
5	Iceland	9.2
6	Sweden	10.7
7	Germany	11.2
8	Switzerland	11.7
9	Norway	11.9
10	Austria	12.9
11	Netherlands	13.0
12	Czechia	14.5
13	Monaco	15.1
	Europe Avg	31.28
q=49.

Modernity & Learning (2025)52
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank52
1	Vatican City	1.0
2	Finland	4.8
3	Belgium	8.5
4	Denmark	8.9
5	Iceland	9.2
6	Sweden	10.7
7	Germany	11.2
8	Switzerland	11.7
9	Norway	11.9
10	Austria	12.9
11	Netherlands	13.0
12	Czechia	14.5
	World Avg	80.33
q=194.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are The Vatican City, Finland and Belgium₅₃. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₅₃. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₄.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”

Bill Emmott (2017)₅₅

23 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₅₃, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₃.

For more, see:

• " Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2956
2	Israel	4.1156
3	Japan	3.5856
4	Finland	3.1756
5	Sweden	3.1656
6	Denmark	3.0556
7	Taiwan	3.0156
8	Austria	3.0057
9	Switzerland	2.9658
10	Germany	2.8456
11	USA	2.7459
12	Belgium	2.4656
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
14	Bulgaria	14
15	Iceland	15
16	Bosnia & Herzegovina	16
17	Sweden	17
18	Lithuania	18
19	Macedonia	19
20	Australia	20
21	Germany	21
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better60
Pos.		2025 %60
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
	...
8=	France	100
8=	Australia	100
8=	Spain	100
8=	Sweden	100
8=	Switzerland	100
8=	Italy	100
8=	Vatican City	100
8=	Hungary	100
	Europe Avg	97
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Sweden officially adopted metric in 1876₆₁. Progression:

• 1960 (100%): Fully metric; official and daily life.
• 1970 (100%).
• 1980 (100%).
• 2000 (100%).
• 2025 (100%).

Religiosity Lower is better62
Pos.		2018 %62
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
4=	Switzerland	9
4=	Denmark	9
6=	Germany	10
6=	UK	10
6=	Sweden	10
6=	Japan	10
6=	Finland	10
11=	Latvia	11
11=	France	11
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better63
Pos.		200663
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
17=	Germany	99
17=	Finland	99
17=	Estonia	99
17=	Sweden	99
17=	Belgium	99
17=	Canada	99
23=	Andorra	98
23=	Czechia	98
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#australia #education #english #maths #science #sweden

In the 1990s, Sweden increased its expected duration of education by almost 6 years, substantially more than any other developed country. In 1998 and 2000-2, education there was the 2nd-longest in the world, at 18.6 years per person, beaten only by Australia.₆₄

Secondary Education Higher is better65
Pos.		201865
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
42	Serbia	89.5%
43	Denmark	89.3%
44	Israel	89.1%
45	Sweden	88.9%
46	Mongolia	88.8%
47	Bahamas	88.4%
48	Ireland	88.3%
49	Netherlands	88.3%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better66
Pos.		2021 Years66
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
4	Belgium	19.6
5	Sweden	19.4
6	Iceland	19.2
7	Finland	19.1
8	Ireland	18.9
9	Denmark	18.7
10	Netherlands	18.7
11	Grenada	18.7
12	Turkey	18.3
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better67
Pos.		2015 Score67
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
23	UK	1499
24	Portugal	1491
25=	France	1487
25=	Sweden	1487
27	Austria	1477
28	Russia	1476
29	Spain	1475
30	Czechia	1472
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#it_security #modernity #technology #the_internet

Internet Users Higher is better68
Pos.		201668
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
7	Liechtenstein	96%
8	Luxembourg	95%
9	Netherlands	94%
10	Sweden	93%
11	Monaco	93%
12	UK	93%
13	Finland	93%
14	Qatar	92%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IT Security Lower is better69
Pos.		201369
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
15	Latvia	0.33
16	Pakistan	0.38
17	Taiwan	0.44
18	Sweden	0.44
19	Romania	0.52
20	Turkey	0.52
21	Poland	0.55
22	Switzerland	0.55
	Europe Avg	0.80
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better70
Pos.		2017 Ratio70
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
33	Bolivia	5.0
34	Macau	4.2
35	Singapore	4.0
36	Sweden	3.8
37	Poland	3.6
38	Thailand	3.3
39	Denmark	3.1
40	Bosnia & Herzegovina	3.1
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better71
Pos.		202471
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
9	UK	69.3%
10	Estonia	69.3%
11	Switzerland	69.0%
12	Sweden	68.7%
13	Japan	68.3%
14	Singapore	67.9%
15	Lithuania	67.8%
16	Romania	67.8%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Sweden's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#capitalism #charity #corruption #denmark #economics #extremism #finland #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #internationalism #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #poverty #religious_violence #social_development #sweden #terrorism

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#charity #corruption #denmark #finland #happiness #internationalism #morals #politics #sweden

World Giving Index Higher is better72
Pos.		2022 %72
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
48=	Kosovo	43.0
48=	Bolivia	43.0
48=	Ghana	43.0
51=	Sweden	42.0
51=	Colombia	42.0
51=	China	42.0
51=	Ecuador	42.0
55=	Bulgaria	41.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125. Also scored for 2010s.

Corruption Higher is better73
Pos.		2022 Points73
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
4	Norway	84.0
5=	Singapore	83.0
5=	Sweden	83.0
7	Switzerland	82.0
8	Netherlands	80.0
9	Germany	79.0
10=	Ireland	77.0
10=	Luxembourg	77.0
12	Hong Kong	76.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

When the Corruption Perception Index was launched in 1995, Sweden scored the 3rd-best, after Denmark and Finland. It has consistently maintained an excellent minimal-corruption profile, still scoring 4th-best on average throughout the 2010s.

Happiness Higher is better74
Pos.		2024 Score74
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
4	Sweden	7.3
5	Netherlands	7.3
6	Costa Rica	7.3
7	Norway	7.3
8	Israel	7.2
9	Luxembourg	7.1
10	Mexico	7.0
11	Australia	7.0
12	New Zealand	7.0
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147. Also scored for 2010s.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
4	Switzerland	4
5	Sweden	5
6	Denmark	6
7	Austria	7
8	Ireland	8
9	Czechia	9
10	Luxembourg	10
11	UK	11
12	Portugal	12
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better75
Pos.		Total Q75
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
10=	Austria	188.7
11	France	188.5
12=	Netherlands	188.3
12=	Sweden	188.3
14	Ireland	188.2
15	Portugal	187.7
16	Belgium	187.2
17=	Norway	186.8
	Europe Avg	160.7
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
4	Netherlands	4
5	Switzerland	5
6	Serbia	6
7	Belgium	7
8	Norway	8
9	Finland	9
10	Croatia	10
11	Georgia	11
12	Philippines	12
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

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

Global Peace Index Lower is better76
Pos.		2023 Score76
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
25	Estonia	1.56
26	Slovakia	1.58
27	Latvia	1.58
28	Sweden	1.63
29	Poland	1.63
30	Bulgaria	1.64
31=	Spain	1.65
31=	Romania	1.65
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
64	Denmark	64
65	Austria	65
66	Ghana	66
67	Sweden	67
68	Congo, (Brazzaville)	68
69	Bulgaria	69
70	Zimbabwe	70
71	Spain	71
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
4	Sweden	4
5	Malta	5
6	Australia	6
7	Norway	7
8	Finland	8
9	Denmark	9
10	Switzerland	10
11	Canada	11
12	UK	12
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better77
Pos.		2019 Score77
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
92	Spain	3.35
93	Bolivia	3.39
94	Algeria	3.41
95	Sweden	3.45
96	Sri Lanka	3.57
97	Canada	3.59
98	Belgium	3.64
99	Angola	3.78
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development #sweden

Poverty (2020s) Lower is better78
Pos.		Total %78
1	Malaysia	0.01%
2	Bhutan	0.01%
3	Cyprus	0.02%
	...
37	Lithuania	0.67%
38	Israel	0.73%
39	Greece	0.75%
40	Sweden	0.80%
41	Spain	0.84%
42	Italy	0.84%
43	Turkey	0.87%
44	USA	0.87%
	Europe Avg	1.20%
	World Avg	11.40%
q=106. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better79
Pos.		201979
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
4=	Sweden	2.90
4=	Slovenia	2.90
4=	Japan	2.90
7=	Finland	3.00
7=	Czechia	3.00
7=	Norway	3.00
7=	S. Korea	3.00
7=	Spain	3.00
12=	Netherlands	3.10
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better80
Pos.		2023 %80
1	Slovakia	24.1%81
2	Slovenia	24.3%81
3	Belarus	24.4%82
	...
30	Iraq	29.5%83
31=	Pakistan	29.6%84
31=	Guinea	29.6%84
33	Sweden	29.8%81
34	Nepal	30.0%85
35	Ireland	30.1%81
36=	Fiji	30.7%86
36=	Myanmar	30.7%87
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

Sweden had the 4th-lowest income inequality in the 1980s.

9. Religion and Beliefs

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

From 2010 to 2020, 16% of Sweden's Christians stopped describing themselves as Christian (from 73% to 61%) and in the population as a whole, 7.4% fewer said they belonged to a religion.

Religiosity (2018)62
Pos.		Lower is better %62
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
4=	Switzerland	9
4=	Denmark	9
6=	Germany	10
6=	UK	10
6=	Sweden	10
6=	Japan	10
6=	Finland	10
11=	Latvia	11
11=	France	11
11=	Belgium	11
14	Austria	12
15	Hungary	14
16	Albania	15
17=	Lithuania	16
17=	S. Korea	16
17=	Russia	16
20=	Australia	18
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)88
Pos.		Higher is better %88
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
4	Czechia	61
5	Estonia	49
6	Denmark	48
7	France	44
8	Belgium	43
9=	Netherlands	42
9=	Germany	42
9=	UK	42
12	Cuba	40
13	Slovenia	35
14	Bulgaria	34
15	Hungary	32
16	Norway	31
17	S. Korea	30
18	Finland	28
19	Russia	27
20	Australia	25
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₈₉:

	2010	2020
Christian	72.8%	60.8%
Unaffiliated	21.5%	28.9%
Muslim	4.52%	8.1%
Buddhist	0.606%	0.84%
Other	0.305%	0.773%
Hindu	0.26%	0.452%
Jewish	<0.1%	0.158%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 69% 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 71.1% 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:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree (2009)

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%₉₀.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Sweden₉₁. 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)₉₂, 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)₉₃

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?