Sweden

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

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

“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	24.9
2	Norway	25.3
3	Sweden	27.7
4	Netherlands	29.0
5	Finland	29.2
6	Iceland	29.9
7	New Zealand	31.5
8	Switzerland	32.6
9	Australia	34.3
10	Austria	34.5
11	Ireland	35.1
12	Canada	35.5
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	89.9
q=199.

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:

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. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

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.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
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.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₆
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₆
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.

Migration:

Immigrants₁₇
Pos.		2017 %₁₇
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.

Emigrants₁₈
Pos.		2010 %₁₈
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)₁₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₉
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
4	Netherlands	9.8
5	Iceland	12.9
6	New Zealand	13.3
7	Canada	14.7
8	Austria	14.9
9	Australia	16.0
10	Luxembourg	16.2
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	86.6
q=199.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Sweden leads the world, setting excellent examples. Sweden performs the best when it comes to its average Freedom in the World rating and in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₀. It does the second-best in terms of its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₁. And finally, it comes in the best 20 when it comes to LGBT equality₂₂ (one of the highest in Europe), supporting press freedom₂₃, opposing gender inequality₂₄, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₅ (the best in Europe), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₆, freethought₂₇, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₈ and in eliminating modern slavery₂₉ (amongst the lowest in Europe). Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2009, improving upon homosexual "civil-unions" that were available since 1995₃₀. 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 Arabia₃₁.

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)₃₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₂
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
4	San Marino	37.2
5	Norway	39.9
6	Gibraltar	40.6
7	Sweden	43.3
8=	France	44.1
9	Iceland	45.9
10	Finland	46.9
11	Denmark	47.2
12	Switzerland	48.5
13	Netherlands	50.2
	Europe Avg	86.9
q=52.

Health (2025)₃₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₂
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
4	Greenland	34.3
5	San Marino	37.2
6	Norway	39.9
7	Gibraltar	40.6
8	Sweden	43.3
9=	Japan	44.1
9=	France	44.1
11	Iceland	45.9
12	Finland	46.9
	World Avg	96.7
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₃. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria₃₃.

21 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, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₃, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₃.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Sweden does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Sweden performs the best for its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₄. It comes in the best 20 in terms of its average life expectancy₁₁ and in its adolescent birth rate₃₅. It does better than average when it comes to its fertility rate₁₅. But, things could still be better. Sweden does worse than average in its suicide rate₃₆, its smoking rate₃₇ (still good for Europe), its alcohol consumption rate₃₈ (still low for Europe) and in its immunizations take-up₃₉ (amongst the worst in Europe). The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over 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.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₃₈
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₃₈
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 best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
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.

Smoking Rates Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		2014₃₇
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
108	Namibia	740
109	Papua New Guinea	826
110	UK	827
111	Sweden	831
112	Laos	836
113	Iran	869
114	Thailand	895
115	Turkmenistan	925₄₀
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate₃₆
Pos.		2013 Per 100k₃₆
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 better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
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 better₄₁
Pos.		2016 %₄₁
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
105=	Bolivia	56.1
105=	Slovenia	56.1
107	Slovakia	56.2
108	Sweden	56.4
109	Brazil	56.5
110	Germany	56.8
111=	Vanuatu	57.1
111=	Serbia	57.1
	Europe Avg	58.5
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2022 Per 1000₃₅
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.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better₃₉
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₉
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.

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

6. Sweden's Responsibility Towards The Environment

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

Compared to Europe (2023)₄₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₂
1	Italy	57.4
2	Greece	61.5
3	Denmark	64.3
	...
30	Macedonia	85.0
31	Finland	86.6
32=	Belgium	89.4
33	Sweden	89.5
34	Poland	92.8
35	Latvia	93.1
36	Lithuania	93.3
37=	Cyprus	96.9
37=	Armenia	96.9
	Europe Avg	80.6
q=43.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)₄₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₂
1	Uruguay	46.1
2	Cuba	52.0
3	Fiji	53.7
	...
78	Canada	89.3
79=	Belgium	89.4
79=	Australia	89.4
81	Sweden	89.5
82	Micronesia	90.2
83	Palestine	90.3
84	Rwanda	91.0
85	Mexico	91.5
	World Avg	94.3
q=190.

When it comes to its responsibility towards the environment, Sweden ranks 81st in the world. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Sweden comes in the best 20 for its score on the Green Future Index₄₃ and in its environmental performance₄₄. It does better than average in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. But, things still need to improve in Sweden. Sweden does worse than average in energy to GDP efficiency₄₅, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₆, reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₇ (still good for Europe) and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₈.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better₄₈
Pos.		Total₄₈
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
141	Solomon Islands	-0.6%
142	Western Sahara	-0.6%
143	Mongolia	-0.6%
144	Sweden	-0.7%
145	Gabon	-0.7%
146	Guyana	-0.8%
147	Suriname	-0.9%
148	French Guiana	-1.0%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better₄₄
Pos.		2018₄₄
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
4	Malta	80.9
5	Sweden	80.5
6	UK	79.9
7	Luxembourg	79.1
8	Austria	79.0
9	Ireland	78.8
10	Finland	78.6
11	Iceland	78.6
12	Spain	78.4
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better₄₅
Pos.		2014₄₅
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
59=	Slovakia	09.09
59=	Jordan	09.09
61	Slovenia	08.85
62	Sweden	08.62
63=	Belgium	08.47
63=	Guatemala	08.47
65	India	08.40
66	Cameroon	08.33
	Europe Avg	09.80
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
35	Nepal	1994 Feb 21
36	Czechia	1994 Mar 03
37	Barbados	1994 Mar 10
38	Sweden	1994 Mar 16
39=	Spain	1994 Mar 21
39=	Portugal	1994 Mar 21
39=	Germany	1994 Mar 21
39=	Denmark	1994 Mar 21
	Europe Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better₄₆
Pos.		2011 %₄₆
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
110	Armenia	25.3%
111	Kazakhstan	25.0%
112	Iraq	24.9%
113	Sweden	24.3%
114	New Zealand	24.2%
115	Poland	23.8%
116	Belarus	23.7%
117	Afghanistan	23.6%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better₄₇
Pos.		2021 kg₄₇
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
117	Malaysia	65.3
118	Belgium	66.2
119	Gabon	66.3
120	Sweden	66.9
121	Romania	67.1
122	Malta	67.8
123	Switzerland	68.0
124	Micronesia	70.4
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
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).₄₇

Green Future Index Higher is better₄₃
Pos.		2023 Score₄₃
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
4=	Sweden	6.3
4=	Denmark	6.3
6	Netherlands	6.2
7	UK	6.1
8	S. Korea	6.0
9	France	6.0
10=	Spain	5.9
10=	Germany	5.9
12	Belgium	5.8
	Europe Avg	5.6
	World Avg	4.8
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).₄₉

7. Sweden's Modernity and Learning

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

Compared to Europe (2020)₅₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₅₀
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
4	Iceland	15.0
5	Sweden	15.8
6	Germany	16.3
7	Switzerland	17.4
8	Estonia	17.9
9	Norway	18.3
10	UK	19.4
11	Netherlands	19.5
12	Ireland	19.8
13	Austria	19.9
	Europe Avg	39.8
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)₅₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₅₀
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
4	Iceland	15.0
5	New Zealand	15.2
6	Sweden	15.8
7	Germany	16.3
8	Australia	16.6
9	Switzerland	17.4
10	Estonia	17.9
11	Norway	18.3
12	UK	19.4
	World Avg	86.3
q=190.

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.₅₁

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.29₅₂
2	Israel	4.11₅₂
3	Japan	3.58₅₂
4	Finland	3.17₅₂
5	Sweden	3.16₅₂
6	Denmark	3.05₅₂
7	Taiwan	3.01₅₂
8	Austria	3.00₅₃
9	Switzerland	2.96₅₄
10	Germany	2.84₅₂
11	USA	2.74₅₅
12	Belgium	2.46₅₂
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better₅₆
Pos.		2018₅₆
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 better₅₇
Pos.		2021 Years₅₇
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.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
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.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better₅₈
Pos.		2015 Score₅₈
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.

Religiosity Lower is better₅₉
Pos.		2018 %₅₉
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
4=	Switzerland	9
4=	Denmark	9
6	Germany	10
7=	UK	10
7=	Sweden	10
7=	Japan	10
7=	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12=	France	11
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better₆₀
Pos.		2006₆₀
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
24=	Czechia	98
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better₆₁
Pos.		2016₆₁
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 better₆₂
Pos.		2013₆₂
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 better₆₃
Pos.		2017 Ratio₆₃
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 better₆₄
Pos.		2024₆₄
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. National Culture

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

World Giving Index Higher is better₆₅
Pos.		2022 %₆₅
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
52=	Colombia	42.0
52=	China	42.0
52=	Ecuador	42.0
55	Bulgaria	41.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better₆₆
Pos.		2022 Points₆₆
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.

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 better₆₇
Pos.		2024 Score₆₇
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.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
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.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
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.

9. Peace Versus Instability

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

Global Peace Index Lower is better₆₈
Pos.		2023 Score₆₈
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.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
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 better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
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 better₆₉
Pos.		2019 Score₆₉
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.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₇₀
Pos.		2019₇₀
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
4	Sweden	2.90
5=	Slovenia	2.90
5=	Japan	2.90
7	Finland	3.00
8=	Czechia	3.00
8=	Norway	3.00
8=	S. Korea	3.00
8=	Spain	3.00
12	Netherlands	3.10
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₇₁
Pos.		2023 %₇₁
1	Slovakia	24.1%₇₂
2	Slovenia	24.3%₇₂
3	Belarus	24.4%₇₃
	...
30	Iraq	29.5%₇₄
31=	Pakistan	29.6%₇₅
31=	Guinea	29.6%₇₅
33	Sweden	29.8%₇₂
34	Nepal	30.0%₇₆
35	Ireland	30.1%₇₂
36=	Fiji	30.7%₇₇
36=	Myanmar (Burma)	30.7%₇₈
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

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

11. Religion and Beliefs

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

Religiosity (2018)₅₉
Pos.		Lower is better %₅₉
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
4=	Switzerland	9
4=	Denmark	9
6	Germany	10
7=	UK	10
7=	Sweden	10
7=	Japan	10
7=	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12=	France	11
12=	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)₇₉
Pos.		Higher is better %₇₉
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.

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 below₈₀:

Christian	67.2%
Muslim	4.6%
Hindu	0.2%
Buddhist	0.4%
Folk Religion	0.2%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	27%

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:

"Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%₈₁.

The Afterlife: Ipsos-NA in 2011 gathered some statistics on Sweden₈₂. 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)₈₃, 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)₈₄

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