The Human Truth Foundation

Sweden

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#australia #denmark #finland #good_governance #humanism #iceland #norway #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
...
13Netherlands$55 979
14Iceland$55 782
15Germany$54 534
16Sweden$54 489
17Austria$53 619
18Kuwait$52 920
19San Marino$52 654
20Belgium$52 293
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Norway29.8
2Denmark30.0
3Finland33.7
4Sweden33.9
5Netherlands34.3
6Iceland34.5
7New Zealand36.1
8Switzerland37.3
9Germany38.1
10UK38.9
11Austria39.0
12Australia39.0
Europe Avg59.3
World Avg87.9
q=196.

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:

Book CoverTake 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 #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.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
85Dominican Rep.10.6m
86Greece10.5m
87Portugal10.3m
88Sweden10.0m
89Jordan10.0m
90Azerbaijan9.9m
91Hungary9.7m
92UAE9.6m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
13Singapore82.8
14Iceland82.7
15Canada82.7
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.201314
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
8Norway1.95
9Myanmar (Burma)1.95
10Indonesia2.07
11Sweden1.93
12Tunisia1.93
13St Lucia1.93
14USA2.08
15Ireland2.10
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
15
Pos.2016
Per 10015
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
160Poland36.3
161Singapore36.5
162Latvia36.7
163=Sweden37.0
163=Bulgaria37.0
165Denmark37.1
166Bosnia & Herzegovina37.3
167S. Korea37.6
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.2017
%16
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
23Canada21.5%
24Kazakhstan20.0%
25Austria19.0%
26Sweden17.6%
27Equatorial Guinea17.5%
28Ireland16.9%
29Cyprus16.0%
30Belize16.0%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants17
Pos.2010
%17
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
133Mauritania3.5%
134Canada3.5%
135Algeria3.4%
136Sweden3.4%
137Ghana3.4%
138Nepal3.3%
139Bangladesh3.3%
140Botswana3.2%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #saudi_arabia #sweden #sweden_women #tolerance #women

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)18
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank18
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
4Netherlands15.6
5New Zealand17.3
6Iceland19.9
7Canada21.0
8Austria22.3
9Luxembourg23.7
10Finland23.8
Europe Avg51.4
World Avg87.9
q=199.
When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Sweden leads the world, setting excellent examples. Sweden performs the best in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)19. It does the second-best for its nominal commitment to Human Rights20. It comes in the best 20 in terms of LGBT equality21 (amongst the best in Europe), opposing gender inequality22, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice23 (the best in Europe), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports24, freethought25, supporting press freedom26, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms27 and in speed of uptake of HR treaties28 (amongst the best in Europe). Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2009, improving upon homosexual "civil-unions" that were available since 199529. 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 Arabia30.

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 #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2020)31
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank31
1Monaco13.0
2Norway61.0
3=Finland65.3
...
9Denmark74.3
10Germany74.4
11Austria74.5
12Sweden75.6
13Iceland76.9
14=Netherlands77.0
15Greece77.4
16Belgium77.9
17Armenia78.4
Europe Avg82.5
q=46.
Health (2020)31
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank31
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
31Austria74.5
32Iran75.5
33Antigua & Barbuda75.6
34Sweden75.6
35UAE75.8
36Iceland76.9
37=Netherlands77.0
37=Eritrea77.0
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 Maldives32. 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 Palau32.

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 Mediterranean32, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa32.

For more, see:

Health:

Sweden does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Sweden does the best in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance33. It comes in the best 20 in its fertility rate14, its adolescent birth rate22 and in its average life expectancy11. But, things still need to improve in Sweden. Sweden does worse than average in its suicide rate34, its smoking rate35 (still low for Europe), its alcohol consumption rate36 (still low for Europe) and in its immunizations take-up37 (one of the worst in Europe). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 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.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
13Singapore82.8
14Iceland82.7
15Canada82.7
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
36
Pos.2016
Per Capita36
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
134=Canada8.9
135Rwanda9.0
136Iceland9.1
137Sweden9.2
138=Chile9.3
138=Grenada9.3
138=S. Africa9.3
141St Kitts & Nevis9.4
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
14
Pos.201314
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
8Norway1.95
9Myanmar (Burma)1.95
10Indonesia2.07
11Sweden1.93
12Tunisia1.93
13St Lucia1.93
14USA2.08
15Ireland2.10
Europe Avg1.61
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
35
Pos.201435
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
108Namibia 740
109Papua New Guinea 826
110UK 827
111Sweden 831
112Laos 836
113Iran 869
114Thailand 895
115Turkmenistan 92538
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate34
Pos.2013
Per 100k34
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
62=Cuba24.5
62=Romania24.5
64Bulgaria25
65Sweden25.5
66Slovakia25.7
67Czechia28.3
68Suriname28.7
69Hong Kong29.7
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
4UK4
5Norway5
6Switzerland6
7Germany7
8Canada8
9Netherlands9
10USA10
11Luxembourg11
12Finland12
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better
39
Pos.2016
%39
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
105=Bolivia56.1
105=Slovenia56.1
107Slovakia56.2
108Sweden56.4
109Brazil56.5
110Germany56.8
111=Vanuatu57.1
111=Serbia57.1
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
22
Pos.2015
Per 100022
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
8Denmark4.0
9Japan4.1
10Cyprus5.0
11Sweden5.7
12Norway5.9
13Luxembourg5.9
14Italy6.0
15Iceland6.1
Europe Avg14.6
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
37
Pos.2015
Avg %37
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
162Gabon78.7
163Micronesia78.2
164Philippines77.9
165Sweden77.8
166Ivory Coast76.9
167Congo, DR76.5
168Timor-Leste (E. Timor)76.5
169Indonesia76.4
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Sweden's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)40
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank40
1Greece50.4
2Italy51.8
3Germany55.8
4=Norway56.0
4=Sweden56.0
6Portugal57.0
7=Spain57.6
8Switzerland60.8
9=France61.8
9=Denmark61.8
11Luxembourg64.2
12Netherlands65.8
13=Austria66.6
Europe Avg79.9
q=43.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)40
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank40
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
12Maldives55.0
13Seychelles55.3
14Germany55.8
15=Sweden56.0
15=Norway56.0
17Jordan56.5
18Portugal57.0
19Kenya57.4
World Avg85.7
q=188.
Sweden comes 15th-best in the world when it comes to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Sweden comes in the best 20 in its score on the Green Future Index41 and in its environmental performance42. It does better than average for how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. But, things could still be better. Sweden does worse than average in energy to GDP efficiency43, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population44, annual meat consumption per person45 (still low for Europe) and in its forested percent change 2000-202046.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
46
Pos.Total46
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
...
141Solomon Islands-0.6%
142Western Sahara-0.6%
143Mongolia-0.6%
144Sweden-0.7%
145Gabon-0.7%
146Guyana-0.8%
147Suriname-0.9%
148French Guiana-1.0%
Europe Avg8.2%
World Avg-0.1%
q=234.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
42
Pos.201842
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
Higher is better43
Pos.201443
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
...
59=Slovakia09.09
59=Jordan09.09
61Slovenia08.85
62Sweden08.62
63=Belgium08.47
63=Guatemala08.47
65India08.40
66Cameroon08.33
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.Total
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
35Nepal1994 Feb 21
36Czechia1994 Mar 03
37Barbados1994 Mar 10
38Sweden1994 Mar 16
39=Spain1994 Mar 21
39=Portugal1994 Mar 21
39=Germany1994 Mar 21
39=Denmark1994 Mar 21
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better44
Pos.2011
%44
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
110Armenia25.3%
111Kazakhstan25.0%
112Iraq24.9%
113Sweden24.3%
114New Zealand24.2%
115Poland23.8%
116Belarus23.7%
117Afghanistan23.6%
Europe Avg33.6%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
45
Pos.2021
kg45
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
117Malaysia65.3
118Belgium66.2
119Gabon66.3
120Sweden66.9
121Romania67.1
122Malta67.8
123Switzerland68.0
124Micronesia70.4
Europe Avg71.1
World Avg52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Sweden was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment. It managed to reduce this by over 10kgs per year (only 17 countries managed the same).45

Green Future Index
Higher is better
41
Pos.2023
Score41
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
4=Sweden6.3
4=Denmark6.3
6Netherlands6.2
7UK6.1
8S. Korea6.0
9France6.0
10=Spain5.9
10=Germany5.9
12Belgium5.8
Europe Avg5.6
World Avg4.8
q=76.

The 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index scored Sweden 4th-best for its recent efforts to transition to clean energy sources, including a 3rd-best rating for its green transport achievements (after Norway and Iceland).47

7. Sweden's Modernity and Learning

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

Compared to Europe (2020)48
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank48
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 & Learning (2020)48
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank48
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
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

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.49

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2950
2Israel4.1150
3Japan3.5850
4Finland3.1750
5Sweden3.1650
6Denmark3.0550
7Taiwan3.0150
8Austria3.0051
9Switzerland2.9652
10Germany2.8450
11USA2.7453
12Belgium2.4650
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
54
Pos.201854
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
42Serbia89.5%
43Denmark89.3%
44Israel89.1%
45Sweden88.9%
46Mongolia88.8%
47Bahamas88.4%
48Ireland88.3%
49Netherlands88.3%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
55
Pos.2021
Years55
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
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
14Bulgaria14
15Iceland15
16Bosnia & Herzegovina16
17Sweden17
18Lithuania18
19Macedonia19
20Australia20
21Germany21
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
56
Pos.2015
Score56
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
23UK1499
24Portugal1491
25=France1487
25=Sweden1487
27Austria1477
28Russia1476
29Spain1475
30Czechia1472
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
57
Pos.2018
%57
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4=Switzerland9
4=Denmark9
6Germany10
7=UK10
7=Sweden10
7=Japan10
7=Finland10
11Latvia11
12=France11
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better58
Pos.200658
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
17=Germany99
17=Finland99
17=Estonia99
17=Sweden99
17=Belgium99
17=Canada99
23Andorra98
24=Czechia98
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
59
Pos.201659
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
7Liechtenstein96%
8Luxembourg95%
9Netherlands94%
10Sweden93%
11Monaco93%
12UK93%
13Finland93%
14Qatar92%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IT Security
Lower is better
60
Pos.201360
1=Ireland0.11
1=Luxembourg0.11
1=Belize0.11
...
15Latvia0.33
16Pakistan0.38
17Taiwan0.44
18Sweden0.44
19Romania0.52
20Turkey0.52
21Poland0.55
22Switzerland0.55
Europe Avg0.80
World Avg0.98
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
61
Pos.2017
Ratio61
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
33Bolivia5.0
34Macau4.2
35Singapore4.0
36Sweden3.8
37Poland3.6
38Thailand3.3
39Denmark3.1
40Bosnia & Herzegovina3.1
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index
Higher is better
62
Pos.2022
%62
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
48=Kosovo43.0
48=Bolivia43.0
48=Ghana43.0
51Sweden42.0
52=Colombia42.0
52=China42.0
52=Ecuador42.0
55Bulgaria41.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
63
Pos.2022
Points63
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
4Norway84.0
5=Singapore83.0
5=Sweden83.0
7Switzerland82.0
8Netherlands80.0
9Germany79.0
10=Ireland77.0
10=Luxembourg77.0
12Hong Kong76.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
q=180.

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 better
64
Pos.2018
Score64
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 & Culture
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
4Switzerland4
5Sweden5
6Denmark6
7Austria7
8Ireland8
9Czechia9
10Luxembourg10
11UK11
12Portugal12
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
4Netherlands4
5Switzerland5
6Serbia6
7Belgium7
8Norway8
9Finland9
10Croatia10
11Georgia11
12Philippines12
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

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

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
65
Pos.2023
Score65
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
25Estonia1.56
26Slovakia1.58
27Latvia1.58
28Sweden1.63
29Poland1.63
30Bulgaria1.64
31=Spain1.65
31=Romania1.65
Europe Avg1.70
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
64Denmark64
65Austria65
66Ghana66
67Sweden67
68Congo, (Brazzaville)68
69Bulgaria69
70Zimbabwe70
71Spain71
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
33
Pos.2017
Rank33
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
4Sweden4
5Malta5
6Australia6
7Norway7
8Finland8
9Denmark9
10Switzerland10
11Canada11
12UK12
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
66
Pos.2019
Score66
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
92Spain3.35
93Bolivia3.39
94Algeria3.41
95Sweden3.45
96Sri Lanka3.57
97Canada3.59
98Belgium3.64
99Angola3.78
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better67
Pos.201967
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
4Sweden2.90
5=Slovenia2.90
5=Japan2.90
7Finland3.00
8=Czechia3.00
8=Norway3.00
8=S. Korea3.00
8=Spain3.00
12Netherlands3.10
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better
68
Pos.2017
%68
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
...
16Serbia28.5
17Timor-Leste (E. Timor)28.7
18Albania29.0
19Sweden29.2
20Malta29.4
21Iraq29.5
22Hungary30.4
23Austria30.5
Europe Avg31.5
World Avg38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

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

Religiosity (2018)57
Pos.Lower is better
%57
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4=Switzerland9
4=Denmark9
6Germany10
7=UK10
7=Sweden10
7=Japan10
7=Finland10
11Latvia11
12=France11
12=Belgium11
14Austria12
15Hungary14
16Albania15
17=Lithuania16
17=S. Korea16
17=Russia16
20Australia18
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)69
Pos.Higher is better
%69
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
4Czechia61
5Estonia49
6Denmark48
7France44
8Belgium43
9=Netherlands42
9=Germany42
9=UK42
12Cuba40
13Slovenia35
14Bulgaria34
15Hungary32
16Norway31
17S. Korea30
18Finland28
19Russia27
20Australia25
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 below70:

Christian67.2%
Muslim4.6%
Hindu0.2%
Buddhist0.4%
Folk Religion0.2%
Jewish0.1%
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%71.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Sweden72. 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)73, 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)74

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