Agriculture in Sweden in brief. Agriculture in Sweden. Standard of living in Sweden

Overview of the economy of the Kingdom of Sweden

Introduction

Sweden is one of the largest European states; the geographical feature of the country is a large elongation from north to south, which leads to the division into economic zones and uneven population density. Of the 8.9 million inhabitants of Sweden, 85% live in the southern regions of the country. In northern Sweden, which stretches for thousands of kilometers from north to south, only one million people live - mostly along the coast. The inland mountainous regions adjacent to the Norwegian border are dominated by industries such as tourism and forestry.
The highest population density is typical for three regions: the capital - Stockholm (with suburbs - 1.8 million inhabitants), the city of Gothenburg (470 thousand inhabitants) and the city of Malmö (262 thousand inhabitants).
Half of the area of ​​Sweden is covered with forests; less than 10% of the land is used for agriculture.
Northern Sweden is dominated by industries such as mining, metallurgy and pulp and paper. Mechanical engineering dominates in Central, Southern and Western Sweden. In the cities of Stockholm and Uppsala, the service sector is dominant, in particular communications and information technology, as well as the pharmaceutical industry. Stockholm is the financial center of the country. Agriculture and the food industry are concentrated in the south of the country, which has more favorable natural conditions.
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a multi-party parliamentary system. Since 1973, the Swedish throne has been occupied by King Carl XVI Gustaf. Parliament consists of one chamber with 349 deputies elected in direct proportional elections for 4 years. Executive power is concentrated in the hands of the Cabinet, which consists of the prime minister and about 20 ministers. Currently, the ruling party is the Social Democratic Party.
On January 1, 1995, Sweden joined the European Union. It participates in the Schengen agreement. Norway and Iceland, which are not members of the EU, also participate in the Schengen Agreement in order to ensure the unity of the Scandinavian visa-free area. Sweden participates in the WTO.
The Swedish economy is characterized by an even distribution of national income and combines the basic principles of a free market and a developed social security system.
The economic recession of the early 1990s led to a sharp increase in unemployment, public debt and budget deficits in the public sector. The streamlining of public finances and the introduction of a policy of low inflation, as well as the development of the communications and information technology sectors, made it possible to achieve high rates of economic growth in the second half of the 1990s. The peak was reached in 2000; after that, the global economic downturn began to affect the Swedish economy. Swedish export growth is constrained by low demand for cars and communications technology in foreign markets, as well as slower economic growth in the euro area.
The marginal tax rate in Sweden is 55% (previously 72%).
Actual corporate tax rates are relatively low; The legislation provides for significant tax incentives for the depreciation of equipment and production facilities. At the same time, social insurance contributions increase employers' wages by a third.
VAT has three rates: the general rate is 25%, for food, domestic transport services and a number of services related to tourism - 12%. A rate of 6% applies to newspapers and other printed matter, sporting goods and services.

Main economic indicators

Like many other highly industrialized countries, Sweden has experienced a slowdown in economic growth over the past two decades. Between 1980 and 2000 the average level of annual GDP growth was 2.0% (for comparison, in the 1950s - 3.3%; in the 1960s - 4.6%). Due to weak economic growth, the share of GDP per capita increased not as fast as in other countries. In the 1970s, GDP per capita in Sweden exceeded the modern European average by 24%. By 1999, the gap had narrowed to 4%; the share of GDP per capita was 220 thousand Swedish kronor (approximately 27 thousand US dollars).
In the 1980s, the growth rate of the Swedish economy coincided with that of Western European countries. But, at the same time, the Swedish economy differed from the European one in a number of ways. Unemployment remained low, while in Western Europe the unemployment rate increased sharply. Prices and wages rose faster in Sweden than anywhere else; and the current account balance was characterized by large deficits.
Between 1990 and 1993 Sweden's GDP fell by 5%, and the number of jobs - by 10%. By the end of 1993, the unemployment rate had risen to 8% (+6.5% in three years).
The economic crisis of the early 90s. was the most painful after the period of depression of the thirties of the last century. The effects of the crisis were exacerbated by the fact that it coincided with the global economic downturn. After the crisis, the government began to review economic and financial policies in order to reverse the trend towards an increase in the state budget deficit.
Structural reforms must be viewed in light of the relatively low output growth and high inflation rate during the 1980s. Tax reform 1990-1991 was primarily aimed at stimulating private savings and included measures such as lowering payroll taxes and unifying the taxation of capital.
In 1993, a new competition law was enacted that explicitly prohibited anti-competitive agreements between market participants and the abuse of market dominance. The state refused to regulate a number of sectors of the economy: transport, communications and electricity. In some cases, this meant abandoning the previously existing state monopoly. In 1993, the consolidated state budget deficit reached 12% of GDP, which led to an increase in public debt and a jump in discount interest rates. Confidence in the national currency was shaken. In October 1994, the Social Democratic government presented a four-year plan to improve public finances, aimed at introducing a austerity regime and increasing tax revenue by 118 billion Swedish kronor (7.5% of GDP). As a result of these measures, public finances should have been balanced by 1998.
In 1998 and 1999, a state budget surplus of 2% of GDP was achieved. In 2000, the surplus was to be already 4.1% of GDP.
In 1996, new rules for the budget process were introduced, providing for a limited spending scheme and dividing the expenditure side of the budget into 27 items. The Parliament determined the limits of spending budgetary funds for each article and in general. Unforeseen spending was limited, which led to a reduction in the provision for budgeted needs. The main objective of the monetary policy of the Central Bank of Sweden is to maintain a stable price level. In November 1992, the Central Bank abandoned the unilateral peg of the Swedish krona to the ECU and switched to a free exchange rate regime for the national currency. After this decision, the exchange rate of the Swedish krona immediately fell by 20%, as did the discount interest rates in the financial market. This then coincided with a general decline in the rates of academic interest in Europe; however, the decline in the discount rate in the Swedish financial market continued after the termination of a similar process in Europe.
It can be said that the main reason for the reduction in discount interest rates is the more stringent budgetary policy of the state and the policy of maintaining a stable price level. In the late 1990s the inflation rate did not rise above 2%.
Sweden is not yet committed to joining the European Economic and Monetary Union and the introduction of the euro, which was confirmed in a referendum held in September this year.
After the crisis of 1991-1993. the growth phase began. In the period 1993-2000. Sweden's GDP grew by an average of 3.2% annually. In addition, there was an increase in exports and, as a result, a strengthening of the competitiveness of the national economy (including due to the depreciation of the Swedish krona after its depegging to the ECU). First of all, the rise was observed in the manufacturing sectors due to the growth of exports.
Intensive growth continued until 2000-2001, when the Swedish economy began to experience the negative impact of another global economic downturn.

2002 did not bring significant development to the Swedish economy. The GDP growth rate was less than 2%. And although the first signs of a recovery in growth rates have appeared, the situation in the economy is still unstable.
Private consumption has maintained its high level; this factor, coupled with the low exchange rate of the national currency (Swedish krona), helped mitigate the negative impact of the global economic downturn.
As a long-term trend, there is a decline in GDP per capita. The volume of investment in the Swedish economy is one of the lowest among OECD countries. In 2002 the volume of investments was even lower than the long-term average.
In general, based on the totality of economic indicators, it can be concluded that in 2002 the economic recession reached its bottom point and in 2003 growth rates will begin to recover.
The fact that business and consumer confidence in the Swedish economy has increased in recent months suggests a recovery in economic growth in 2004.
In general, it can be said that since the mid-1990s, the Swedish national economy has undergone significant changes: public finances have been put in order, conditions for business and educational activities have been improved, and powerful information technology and telecommunications industries have been created. Thanks to these measures, high growth rates, a stable state budget surplus, and an extremely high level of private consumption were achieved. In 1999, when the European currency, the euro, was introduced, the exchange rate of the Swedish mark against the euro was 9.50/1; in 2000 it was already fluctuating between 9/1 and 8/1.
As already mentioned, the Swedish national economy is distinguished by an even distribution of income thanks to a developed system of public services. A significant part of the Swedish government's spending is represented by various social subsidies. Local authorities, in particular, pay social benefits to persons whose incomes are below the poverty line.
Sweden's social security system is funded by tax payments and employer contributions from wage funds. As a result, Sweden has high tax rates.
In the future, the Swedish government plans to reduce tax rates. As a first step, in 2000, the institution of a tax credit was introduced, which made it possible to offset half of the amount of contributions to pension funds.

International trade

The Swedish economy can be described as open and dependent on foreign trade, which generates 40-45% of GDP. Sweden's large industrial groups are multinational corporations with most of their production facilities located abroad, mainly in the EU. Considering Sweden's small population (0.2% of the world's population), its share of international trade is surprising (2%).
Sweden's foreign trade is directed, first of all, to the western industrialized countries. More than half of total Swedish exports go to EU countries. Scandinavian countries - Finland, Norway and Denmark - consume 20% of Swedish exports; USA - 14% (largest market outside the EU for Swedish exports); Asian countries (primarily Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore) - 12%.
The markets of developing countries are very important for Swedish companies: many of them are involved in infrastructure development projects in these countries. Eastern and Central Europe, including the Baltics, account for only 5% of Sweden's foreign trade. Since January 1, 1995, Sweden has been a member of the Customs Union and the Common Customs Policy of the EU. Membership in the EU carries with it certain restrictions in the field of trade policy in relation to countries outside the EU. They are especially visible in the area of ​​trade in textiles, clothing and agricultural products. Sweden had to impose restrictive measures on imported goods that were underpriced compared to Swedish prices. Prior to accession to the EU, the import of such goods was carried out freely. The EU quite often uses restrictive (anti-dumping) measures against goods imported from Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Sweden has consistently opposed such a market narrowing policy.
Sweden, Denmark and Great Britain refrained from introducing a new common European currency - the euro.
In 2001, Sweden's exports and imports were 780.6 and 647.4 billion Swedish kronor, respectively. The figures for foreign trade in goods for 2001 reflect a decrease in its volume relative to 2000 due to the global economic downturn. The volume of foreign trade with the EU countries (in terms of the geography of foreign trade) and the volume of exports and imports of information technology products and communications equipment and oil imports (in terms of the commodity structure of foreign trade) decreased most noticeably. In 2001, crude oil imports decreased by more than 50% compared to the previous year.
In the first six months of 2002, exports amounted to SEK 401.1 billion and imports to SEK 320.5 billion. Compared to the same period last year, exports increased by 1% (from 398.9 billion SEK) while imports decreased by 5% (from 336.2 billion SEK).

The Swedish industry is largely focused on the assembly of finished products from imported components. Assembly plants account for 70% of Swedish imports.

The main commodity groups of Swedish imports are as follows:
- chemicals - 12%
- minerals - 8%
- paper and wood - 3%
- mineral fuel and electricity - 9%
- machinery and transport equipment - 47%
- other goods, such as textiles and food - 20%.

66.3% of imports come from EU countries; the main sources of imports are Germany (17.8%), the UK (8.7%), Norway (8.5%) and Denmark (8.2%). Imports from African countries account for 0.4% of total imports, with oil and food imports dominating. For example, Kenya is the fourth largest exporter of coffee to Sweden. Imports of textiles and footwear from Africa have declined in recent years, now accounting for just over 0.9% of total imports. The structure of imports from the countries of the Middle East, of course, is dominated by oil and oil products. Imports from Oceania account for only 0.3% of the total (food imports dominate - 2% in the structure of Swedish food imports). The share of South American countries in total imports began to increase in 1993 (food imports also dominate here (Brazil and Colombia account for more than half of coffee imports). Textile imports from developing Asian countries have been increasing in recent years.

Swedish exports fell significantly in 2001, dropping to their lowest level since 1975. The reason, first of all, is the decrease in exports of products from the information technology and communications sector. Sweden exports more than one third of its GDP. Mechanical engineering products (primarily electronic equipment, machinery and vehicles) account for more than half of Swedish exports. Despite a modest share in the structure of GDP, manufacturing industries still create the predominant part of exports. Large transnational corporations Ericsson, ABB, Electrolux, Volvo and Saab provide more than 70% of employment in the industry and 80% of industrial exports.
The main Swedish export destinations are Germany (10.6%), the UK (8.8%), Norway (8.6%) and Denmark (6.1%).
Export activity in Sweden is carried out freely and is practically not regulated by the state, with the exception of the export of weapons and military equipment and a number of high-tech products.

Investment activities

Sweden, located in the heart of the Baltic region, has become a strategically important springboard for promoting goods from the countries of the former socialist camp - Russia, the former Baltic republics of the USSR and Poland - to European markets. Under Swedish law, a subsidiary of a foreign company established in Sweden is treated as a Swedish company. The legislation does not distinguish between companies with foreign capital and companies with purely Swedish capital.
In Sweden there is no system of currency control, the export of profits, license fees is not limited. A subsidiary of a foreign company has the right to transfer to the accounts of the founder a fee for management services rendered, for scientific research, etc. Generally, investment income and interest earned can also be transferred. Companies owned by foreign persons can attract loans from both the parent company and foreign credit institutions.

Main Industries

Sweden is a highly developed industrial country with a developed internal and external transport infrastructure and significant resources of highly qualified personnel. The pace of development of the Swedish economy over the past century is impressive: at the beginning of the 20th century, Sweden was predominantly an agrarian country, and one of the poorest in Europe. However, rich reserves of iron ore, timber and hydropower, and a skilled workforce enabled rapid industrialization that turned Sweden into a modern, well-being society with an economy based on high-tech goods and services. In the post-World War II period, Sweden's economic policy was aimed at gradually replacing the primary sector with high-tech industries such as transport equipment, electrical and electronics, and chemicals.
Especially intensive economic growth, due to the high competitiveness of the Swedish export industry, was observed until the mid-70s. Only Japan could boast of a higher annual GDP growth.
The share of industry and mining in GDP reached its peak value in 1960. In the following decades, in Sweden, as in other Western economies, the sphere of business-oriented services and knowledge-intensive technologies gained more importance.
Swedish companies have long recognized the need to be represented in foreign markets, so now the Swedish economy is heavily dependent on a small circle of super-large multinational corporations. Currently, more than 300,000 Swedish citizens work in companies with more than 50% foreign capital. 15 years ago, this figure was two times lower.
About 60% of industrial production in Sweden is exported - the Swedish economy is primarily oriented to the external market.
Industrial production in Sweden is characterized by a high degree of concentration, which creates conditions for large investments in R&D. Swedish companies are among the first in the world in terms of such investments.
Between 1993 and 2000 the volume of industrial production increased by 60% (7% per year). The Swedish industry developed much more intensively than the industry of the OECD countries.
The political and social changes that have recently taken place in Eastern Europe and the Baltic region have given Sweden the importance of a springboard for promoting the products of large Western companies on the markets of Eastern Europe, on the one hand; and to promote Eastern European goods to Western markets, on the other.

Private Services Sector

The honest services sector was especially booming in the 1980s. In 1980-2000 the share of the sector in the total employment structure increased from 48% to 60%, while the share of industry decreased from 33% to 27%. The sector of services aimed at entrepreneurs is developing intensively, in particular, companies providing information and consulting services.
In Sweden, areas such as postal services, communications, domestic air transport, rail transport and the electricity market have been completely liberalized. The goal of liberalization is to reduce the price level while improving quality by increasing competition between an increased number of enterprises.
The reduction of state intervention in the credit market led to the rapid development of financial services in the late 80s. In connection with the real estate market crisis of the early 90s, credit institutions suffered significant losses (due to default by debtors of their obligations); however, this was the reason for deep reforms of the credit and financial system, and in particular - banks.

Public Services Sector

The public service sector developed very intensively during the period 1950-1980. Tax-financed consumption of goods and services increased from 12.5% ​​to 30% of GDP, and the number of workers employed in the sector increased by one million people.
During the 80s. consumption of goods and services by the sector decreased to 26.4% of GDP; slowed down and the average annual growth.
A significant part of public services is provided by the 289 municipalities and 20 local councils in Sweden. Municipal authorities are responsible for organizing the work of schools, child care facilities and institutions for the elderly. The competence of local councils includes the organization of the health care system and local public transport.
The crisis of the early 1990s and the subsequent streamlining of public finances narrowed the scope of public services for local authorities.
In 1997, the Swedish Parliament approved an increase in local government subsidies. In the period 1996-2000. the amount of subsidies increased to 20 billion SEK, which corresponded to an increase in the revenue side of local budgets by 4.5%. In general, during this period, the policy of reducing the costs of public services provided at the level of municipalities was put to an end.

Forestry and timber industry

Forestry has been extremely important to the Swedish economy since the middle of the 19th century. Over the past years, the industry has acquired a predominantly export orientation. Sweden accounts for 10% of world timber exports; it is the fourth largest exporter of paper in the world, the third largest exporter of pulp and the second largest exporter of sawn softwood. In Sweden, forestry is more important to the national economy than in any other EU country except Finland. Swedish forestry is considered one of the most modern and environmentally oriented.
There are 4 climate zones in Sweden:
- alpine / subalpine, which is characterized by treeless spaces or birch;
- boreal (temperate cold), dominated by conifers such as pine and spruce;
- boreonemoral, which combines coniferous and deciduous broad-leaved species such as oak, beech, ash, linden and maple;
- nemoral, in which deciduous broad-leaved species predominate.
Most of Sweden lies within the boreal (cold temperate) zone; a significant part of southern Sweden belongs to the boreonemoral zone. The southwestern regions of Sweden can be attributed to the nemoral zone.
Since the 1920s, Sweden's forest fund has increased by 60%. The annual increase in standing wood reserves is almost 100 million cubic meters. The fact that forests are now growing faster than 100 years ago is due to more efficient land use and forestry practices. 85% of the standing wood stock is softwood, with spruce predominating (except in the far north of Sweden). The deciduous forests are dominated by birch (two thirds of the hardwood stock). Since 1945, stocks of oak and standing birch have more than doubled. The average productivity of one hectare of the forest fund is 5.3 cubic meters of wood per year; in the south this figure is much higher and the forest grows 4-5 times faster than in the north. Turnover of felling (i.e. the time passing from planting a tree to its felling) in the south is 60-100 years, in the north - 70-130 years.
In Sweden, only 3% of productive forests are owned by the state. In 1993, most of the state forest fund was transferred to the AssiDomän corporation, 35% of whose shares are owned by the state.
The most important group of forest owners are individuals (families): in the southern regions they own 80% of the forests. Prior to World War II, most private forest owners were farmers living on their own land and simultaneously engaged in agriculture and forestry. Since then, the area occupied by such agricultural and forestry enterprises has more than halved. Forestry work in private forest holdings is carried out by employees of forest owners' unions or contractors.
The second most important group of forest owners are forestry enterprises. Their possessions are concentrated in Central and partly in Northern Sweden.
Paper production accounts for more than half of the gross value added and exports generated by the Swedish forest industry. Recently, this sector has been developing most intensively. Production volumes in the pulp industry remain at the same level. The pulp and paper industry in Sweden ranks second after Finland and satisfies 10% of the corresponding needs of the EU countries. Swedish suppliers of pulp and paper compete in the European market with Scandinavian and local producers, as well as non-European suppliers. The export of paper from the countries of Eastern Europe is increasing.

Major manufacturers lumber		Major pulp and paper producers
Industrial Group/Company	Volume of production, cubic meters	Industrial Group/Company	Production volume, thousand tons
SCA/Scanning	1 400	Stora Enso	5 800
AssiDoman	1 200	Holmen	3 200
Stora Enso Timber AB	900	SCA	3 000
Sodra Timber	900	Billerud	2 200
Finnforest/Moelven	800	m-real	1 500
Mellanskog Industri AB	700	Sodra	1 400
Vidakoncernen	550	Korsnas	1 300
Jabo	450	Kappa	1 100
Geijergruppen	370	Rottneros Brook	600
Norra Skogsagarna	350	AssiDoman	600
Karl Hedin AB	350	Trebruk	500
Campfore-gruppen	280	Frantschach Pulp & Paper Sweden	500
Bergkvist-Insjon	275	Munksjo	400
Holmen	270	Domsjo	200
Derome-gruppen	250	Klippan	200

The paper industry in Sweden produces graphic paper (half of production), packaging paper (slightly less than half), as well as hygienic paper and specialty paper. Half of the production of graphic paper is newsprint. Recently, the share of writing and printing paper, packaging board and corrugated paper has increased. Kraft paper output has declined.
The pulp and paper industry is undergoing a process of consolidation of enterprises. In 2001, 11.2 million tons of paper were produced at 48 factories and 11.9 million tons of pulp at 45 factories. Over the past four decades, the average output of one has increased eightfold and sixfold for paper mills and pulp mills, respectively. In the 1980s and 1990s, large timber industry groups were created, producing a wide range of wood products, from paper to sawn timber. Throughout the 90s. four industrial groups dominated the market (80% of the market). Consolidation of the Swedish enterprises of the industry allowed them to acquire production in other EU countries, to specialize in certain segments of the wood products market.
The total number of sawmills in Sweden reaches 200, but twenty of them own two-thirds of the market. The large number of factories is due to the fact that, as a rule, they are vital for providing jobs to rural residents.
In terms of foreign timber trade, Sweden mainly imports roundwood. Russia is the second largest timber exporter to Sweden after Latvia.

Mining and metallurgical industry

For many centuries, Sweden remained the largest miner and exporter of iron ore and sulfur. At present, the extraction of iron ore, sulfur and the smelting of non-ferrous metals (copper, lead, silver and gold) are concentrated in the northern regions of the country. Swedish zinc is smelted abroad.
Currently, Swedish metallurgical enterprises specialize in the production of high-quality steels - stainless, bearing, tool and others. But there is also a traditional production of strip, plate and sheet steel.
Swedish metallurgists are leading in the introduction of new technologies: ladle furnace, thin-walled plate casting, powder steel production, computer process control.
The share of Sweden in the world production of iron ore is about 2%; The country is the only exporter of iron ore in Europe. The share of Sweden in the production of copper, lead and zinc in the Western Hemisphere is respectively 1%, 3.7% and 3.3%. The share of steel exports as such in total exports reaches 4%. If we take into account the export of steel in the form of tools, machines, machine tools, vehicles, etc., then this figure will be much higher.
In 2000, imports of steel (mainly in the form of rods, beams and sheets) amounted to 3.3 million tons, while exports amounted to 3.9 million tons.

In 2000, Sweden produced 20.6 million tons of iron ore, 24 million tons of sulfur ore containing sulfur, copper, lead, zinc and arsenic, as well as silver and gold. In addition, 6 million tons of limestone were mined, mainly for use in cement production.
Previously, the production of steel and copper was focused on the production of intermediate products for export. Gradually, metallurgists switched to the production of products from non-ferrous and ferrous metals, thus laying the foundation for modern Swedish engineering. Many machine-building enterprises have their origins in the mining and ore-dressing industry and therefore have direct access to raw materials and energy resources.
Iron ore mining in Sweden began in the fifth century BC, when the inhabitants began to use swamp ore to make malleable iron. The development of the rich ore deposits of central Sweden did not begin until the 13th century and led to the creation of a coal blast furnace and hammer for forging. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Swedish ore and steel gained a strong position in the international market due to the absence of phosphorus impurities in them. The richest reserves of iron ore with a high content of phosphorus remained unused until the 1880s, when the introduction of the Thomas process made it possible to obtain high-quality steel from such ore.
Strong demand for iron ore in continental Europe became an export driver, especially after the deposits at Kiruna and Malmberget in Lapland were connected by a railway line to the seaports of Norway and Sweden in the early 20th century. More than 80% of the mined ore was exported.
In 2000, the Kiruna and Malmberget mines produced 13.8 and 6.8 million tons of ore, respectively.
In 1926, the development of the largest non-ferrous metal ore deposit in Boliden began, which continued until 1967. An ore smelter was built at Rönnsker on the Baltic coast.
Currently, 65% of non-ferrous metal ores are mined at Boliden AB's mines in central and northern Sweden. Due to the absence of a zinc smelter in Sweden, all zinc ore is exported and finished zinc is imported. The volume of lead production fully satisfies domestic and export needs. The insufficient volume of copper ore mining and copper smelting is forcing Swedish enterprises to import copper - in finished or intermediate form (about 35% of domestic needs). Gold production by 100% and silver production by 60% meet domestic needs.
The main deposits of iron ore are located around Kiruna and Malmberget: proven and probable reserves are estimated at 1,700 million tons. The largest copper mine, Aitik, is located in the same area. Deposits of sulphurous ores are located in the Skellefteo region, in mountainous regions along the border with Norway and in central Sweden.
Most mines are already mining underground.
The rights to develop ore deposits have a long history. Most of the mines were privately owned; then many of them joined the ore-smelting and metallurgical plants. Large mines in the north of Sweden, which dominate the ore mining sector and export the lion's share of production, remain independent.
Large-scale development of iron ore deposits required significant financial investments. It was decided that the state should be directly involved in the use of such an important national resource, and in 1907 an agreement was reached that the shares of the LKAB company (Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB), which has the rights to develop deposits in Kiruna and Malmberget, would be equally divided between the government Sweden and Gränges AB.
The government was given the right to purchase shares in Gränges AB after 50 years, which happened in 1957.
Enterprises developing deposits of sulphurous ores are in private hands. Mines, manufacturers of industrial minerals and equipment are united in the Swedish Mining Association (Svenska Gruvföreningen).

Metallurgical industry. By the middle of the 18th century, Sweden had become the world's leading steel producer and, until the industrial breakthrough of the mid-19th century, remained the most important supplier of steel to the world market. However, the industrial revolution significantly changed the structure of the metallurgical industry. Sweden does not have its own coal reserves and therefore, when new technological processes using coal and coke as fuel were introduced in continental Europe, it switched to the production and export of high-grade steel. This orientation continues today.
Steel production generates 4% of the gross value added of the Swedish industry. 80% of the steel is exported, net profit is 16 billion SEK.
Of the 600 blast furnaces and industrial hammers in operation in the 19th century, 13 steel works remain today. Rolling production operates at 9 enterprises. Most of the metallurgical enterprises are concentrated in central Sweden; they are all privately owned.
More than half of the steel output is made up of special steels - alloyed and high-carbon. This ratio is not found in any other industrialized country in the world. The major producers of special steels are AvestaPolarit, Sandvik Steel, Ovako Steel and Uddeholm Tooling. Significant changes in the stainless steel sector took place in the 1980s, when two out of four enterprises in the sector remained - AvestaPolarit and Sandvik. The two companies jointly own a welded pipe manufacturer, Avesta Sandvik Tube AB, AST, and a steel wire manufacturer, Fagersta Stainless AB. The production of seamless stainless steel pipes is concentrated at Sabdvik Steel.
In 1991, Avesta AB joined the British Steel Stainless Group (now part of the Corus Group) and in 2001 the Finnish stainless steel manufacturer Outokumpu Steel, creating the modern Avesta Polarit, the world's second largest stainless steel manufacturer. The company's net sales are approximately 28 billion SEK per year.
The second major company, AB Andvik Steel (net sales of SEK 15 billion), is among the leaders in specialty steel products such as stainless steel strip, stainless steel seamless pipe and stainless steel wire.
Ovako Steel, which owns a smelter and rolling mill in Hofors and plants in Hellefors, produces 0.6 million tonnes of raw steel per year. The most important products: bearing and engineering steel.
In 1991, Uddeholm Tooling AB, one of the world's leading tool steel manufacturers, was acquired by the Austrian steel company Böhler.
Normal, i.e. unalloyed, low carbon steel is smelted by two companies: SSAB and Fundia AB. Fundia AB, owned by the Finnish steel company Rautaruukki Oy, owns a smelter, two rolling mills and a hot rolling mill. The main products are commercial long products. SSAB, Scandinavia's largest steelmaker, operates two production complexes; the annual volume of production of non-thermally treated steel is 3.8 million tons, flat products - 2.7 million tons. Main products: springs, galvanized strips, organic coated strips, steel plates, semi-finished metals. Surahammars Bruk AB, owned by SSAB (25%) and Corus Group (75%), is the only electrical steel producer in Scandinavia.
Höganäs AB, with factories in southern Sweden, is the world leader in the production of iron and steel powder.
In 1747, the Swedish Iron and Steel Industry Association (Jernkontoret) was established.
Swedish special steels are used in the production of roller bearings, valve springs, razor blades, saw blades, hard rock drill bits, piping elements for nuclear power plants, processing plants and other products.
International trade. In 2000, Sweden exported 3.9 million tons of steel worth 34 billion SEK. 3.2 million tons of steel was imported, mostly ordinary steel in the form of bars, beams and sheets. The volume of exports of alloy steel amounted to 1.8 million tons, worth 24 billion Swedish kronor. Stainless steel accounts for 48% of exports by weight and 70% by value.

mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering is one of the most important industries in Sweden. In recent years, this industry has developed more intensively than any other. Over the past 20 years, production volumes have quadrupled. In 1900, mechanical engineering accounted for 9% of industrial production, in 1945 - already 23%, and in 1999. - fifty%. The structure of the industry is dominated by small and medium enterprises. Companies with more than 500 employees account for only 1.9% of the total. Mechanical engineering accounts for 56% of Swedish exports.
The automotive and aerospace industries play a very important role: Volvo and SAAB are world-famous, both manufacturing automotive and aerospace products at the same time. SAAB produces, in particular, civil and military aircraft.

Construction

It was this industry that was most severely affected by the crisis of the early 1990s. In 1990-1994 the number of workers employed in the industry decreased by a quarter (about 100 thousand people).
The crisis of the industry should be considered in the light of its intensive development in the late 80s. Then the huge demand in the market of residential and commercial premises, fueled by positive forecasts for the coming years, caused prices and rents to soar. Therefore, when the recession came, there was a significant predominance of supply over demand, which led to a sharp drop in property prices.
The consequences of the situation of the late 80s and early 90s are still being felt: in many areas of Sweden, the properties built then remain unclaimed. However, in 1998, a gradual recovery of the industry began due to low discount rates, increasing prices and demand for real estate. Recovery is most intensive in the country's three major cities - Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo - and in a number of other cities. But the volume of housing construction is still at an unprecedented low level.

Communications and information technology

It was these two industries - communications and information technology - that became the engine of Sweden's economic growth in the late 90s, when Sweden began to set the tone for the practical use of the latest technologies. In 2000 and 2001, Sweden was awarded the title of the world's leading power in the field of information technology. The Swedish company Ericsson is widely known, supplying mobile telephone systems and digital information exchange to all markets of the world. The company ranks second in the world in the field of telecommunications.

Chemical industry

Chemicals have been produced in Sweden for over a hundred years. In the beginning, the industry produced mainly matches and explosives; after World War II, paints and plastics accounted for a large share of production.
The pharmaceutical industry has developed extremely intensively over the past 20 years. It is now the second fastest growing sector of the Swedish economy. More than 90% of medicines produced in Sweden are exported. Over the past ten years, due to consolidation, the total number of pharmaceutical companies has significantly decreased. Currently, Astra Zeneca and Pharmacia & Upjohn are considered the largest.

Agriculture

More than half of the surface of Sweden is covered with forests, one third - with mountains, lakes and swamps. Less than 10% of the country's surface is cultivated - 3 million hectares. Considering Sweden's northern location, the climate is relatively favorable, although the type of agriculture in Northern Sweden differs significantly from that in the South of Sweden. Most of all, agriculture is developed in the southern and central regions of the country. In the very south, the growing season is 240 days, while in the very north it is less than 120 days. The food industry is concentrated in areas with developed agriculture and large settlements.
Over the past century, Sweden has evolved from a predominantly agricultural country to a country with only 3% of the share of agriculture in the employment structure. The main products of Swedish agriculture - dairy and meat products, cereals and potatoes - are used to satisfy the needs of the domestic market, although exports are gradually increasing.
With the accession to the EU, Sweden became a member of the Common European Agricultural Policy, which provides for the creation of a single European market for agricultural products and food products. It is assumed that consumers will mainly buy products produced in EU countries. Exports of food and agricultural products outside the EU may be subsidized in order to compensate for the price difference between the European and world markets. Sweden is in favor of facilitating access to the European market for goods grown or produced outside the EU.
It should be noted that Sweden will never become a major exporter of agricultural commodities, as arable land is limited and climate conditions shorten the growing season and increase the cost of building and maintaining buildings in rural areas. Nevertheless, Swedish agriculture is one of the most advanced in the EU. It is primarily based on high-intensity methods.
There is a trend towards consolidation of agricultural enterprises and a reduction in the number of workers employed in the industry. In 1950, there were 280,000 farms cultivating more than 2 hectares of land. In 2000, their number dropped to 80,000. The average farm area was 34 hectares. Most of the farms are family-owned - most of the work is done on their own. Recently, the type of auxiliary peasant farms has become more and more widespread, when their owners also have another source of income. Only in 23 thousand households the only source of income is grown or produced agricultural products.
In Sweden, agriculture and forestry are often combined: 74% of farms have forest plots – on average, 47 hectares of forest per farm. Structural changes in Swedish agriculture are often expressed in the narrow specialization of farms in the production of cereals, dairy farming or pig production. Farmers invest heavily in the purchase of modern agricultural machinery and equipment, in construction.
Over the past five years, agricultural income has remained at about the same level. In 1999 they amounted to SEK 30.2 billion: livestock production accounted for 57%, grain production 5%, other fruits (potatoes, sugar beets, sunflowers) 13%, and EU remittances amounted to 24%.
Climatic conditions for growing grain crops differ significantly in the northern and southern regions of the country. 60% of the cultivated area is concentrated in the south of Sweden. The production of fodder crops (barley and oats) is concentrated in the north of Sweden - in the Norrland region. Sunflower is grown in the south and in the central regions of the country - in the regions of Götaland and Svealand. Potatoes are grown all over the country, while sugar beets are grown mainly in the south. It should be taken into account that the yields in the north and in the south are different: for example, 5.5 tons of barley are harvested from one hectare in the south and 2 tons in the north. Vegetable growing and horticulture are concentrated in the southern regions of the country. In 1999, 3,580 enterprises were registered, of which 1,380 used greenhouses. Vegetables and fruits were grown outdoors by 75% of the enterprises on an area of ​​13,900 hectares, with more than half of this area located in the southernmost region of Sweden - Skåne.
Sweden has about 1.7 million heads of livestock; Dairy farming produces 3.3 million tons of milk per year, which is in line with the quota set by the European Union for Sweden. Over the past ten years, the number of dairy farms has decreased by more than 50% and now stands at 11.5 thousand; however, milk yields increased by 26% to 7,800 kg per year. There is a tendency to merge dairy and beef farming in one enterprise. Despite the increase in meat production in the country (in 2000 - 145 thousand tons), it still cannot keep up with the growth in demand, and therefore Sweden meets about 25% of meat needs through imports.
In 1999, the consumption of food and alcoholic beverages amounted to 180 billion SEK (15% of private spending). The level of consumption is quite stable and is gradually increasing due to a small increase in population.

Thanks to participation in the EU Common European Agricultural Policy, Sweden receives a number of subsidies for the development of agriculture:
1. Subsidies for arable land and premiums for livestock breeding. In 1999, Swedish farmers received SEK 3.4 billion in subsidies for growing cereals, sunflowers, legumes and flax, and SEK 627 million in bonuses for raising bulls, calves and sheep.
2. Subsidies for environmental protection. The transition to intensive agriculture has had an extremely negative impact on the state of the natural environment. Swedish farmers can apply for financial support in the implementation of a number of projects to protect and preserve the natural environment. 50% of the costs are financed by the European Union. In particular, support is provided for programs to conserve the biological diversity of pastures and hayfields, ecologically and culturally valuable areas, wetlands and small rivers and streams, the preferential use of organic fertilizers, and the breeding of domesticated animals that are on the verge of extinction. In 2000, farmers received 2 billion SEK in this type of subsidy. Currently, more than 10% of arable land is fertilized exclusively with organic fertilizers (6 times more than 10 years ago). The average area of ​​a farm using exclusively organic fertilizers is 46 hectares, while that of a conventional farm is 33 hectares. The predominant use of organic fertilizers has become the main direction of agricultural development in Sweden and reflects consumer preferences.
3. Support for regions. The EU provides subsidies for agricultural expansion in the country's climatically unfavorable regions - in Northern Sweden, the forested regions of Southern Sweden and on the islands of Gotland and Åland.

food industry

The food industry in Sweden is represented by small regional enterprises, large companies, farmers' cooperatives and super-large transnational industrial groups. The industry mainly uses Swedish-made agricultural products: 70% of agricultural products produced in Sweden are supplied to the food industry for processing. The food industry ranks fourth in terms of production among all sectors of the Swedish economy (in 2000 - 135 billion SEK). It accounts for 10% of industrial production in Sweden. The food industry is of particular importance in areas such as Skåne and Gotland, where it accounts for 25% and 30% respectively of the employment structure.
The food industry in Sweden is dominated by sectors such as meat packing, dairy and bakery.
The share of enterprises owned by foreign capital accounts for 30% of the industry's production. Swedish companies are dominated by farmers' cooperatives (45% of production); especially in the meat-packing (Swedish Meats), dairy (Arla), bakery and flour industries (Cerealia). There are also family businesses: Gunnar Dåfgard (frozen food), Spendrups (drinks), Löfbergs Lila (coffee), Pågen Group (baking) and Berte Qvarn, Sweden's oldest food processing company, a flour mill opened in 1569.
The participation of foreign capital in the Swedish food industry increased significantly during the 1990s through the acquisition of Swedish companies and the concentration of Scandinavia-oriented production in Sweden.
The food market is characterized by the preference that buyers give to products of a high degree of readiness. In the period 1995-2000. the volume of sales of this type of products increased annually by 6%, while the volume of sales of other products only by 1-2%.
Food prices tend to fall: in the 1990s, the general price level rose faster than the food price level, and in fact the latter fell by 12%. In general, food in Sweden is cheaper than in Denmark, France and the UK.

Foreign trade in food products. After Sweden joined the EU, Swedish goods gained open access to the pan-European market, and European goods began to penetrate into Sweden, contributing to an increase in foreign trade. Contrary to pessimistic forecasts, this phenomenon did not negatively affect the food industry in Sweden. Food exports have more than doubled since 1995, from SEK 10.4 billion in 1994 to SEK 21.1 billion in 2000. Processed foods make up more than half of total food exports. The most important export commodity groups are vodka, chocolate and confectionery, pastries, frozen vegetables, condiments, soups and broths, margarine, cider, soft drinks, concentrated juices and marmalade. In 2000, exports to non-EU countries reached the level of 8.7 billion SEK: 25% is vodka (mainly to the USA), roasted coffee is also an important export (also mainly to the USA). ), margarine (mainly to Russia and Poland), chocolate (mainly to Norway), pastries and bread (mainly also to Norway).
Since joining the EU, food imports have increased by 35% (to 42.2 billion SEK); 40% of imports are represented by those goods that are not produced in Sweden - vegetables, fruits and juices, wines, coffee, tea and cocoa, fish products. The EU accounts for about 70% of Swedish food imports.
Thus, the deficit of the foreign trade balance in terms of trade in food and agricultural goods amounted to 21 billion Swedish kronor in 2000.

Having embarked on the path of capitalist development relatively late, Sweden quickly turned into a highly developed industrial country that plays a significant role in the system of the world capitalist economy as a whole, and especially in Scandinavia. Abundant energy and raw material resources, favorable geographical position, skillful use of the scientific and technical experience of more advanced European countries ensured the rapid economic growth of the country.

The high level of industrial development led to the creation of a large working class, which in 1950 amounted to more than half of the country's amateur population (53%), while employees accounted for 23%, the exploiting classes - about 16%, the working peasantry - 8%.

The value of industrial products in the national income of the country exceeds the value of agricultural products by about 8-10 times.

The Swedish economy is dominated by several banking and industrial monopolies. The country's economy is closely connected with the foreign market. Sweden's foreign trade is concentrated mainly in Western Europe, which accounts for 75% of all Swedish trade. In recent years (since 1957), trade relations with the socialist countries - the USSR, Czechoslovakia, Poland, the GDR, etc. - have expanded.

In industry, branches are distinguished, firstly, with the extraction and processing of metals and, secondly, based on the consumption of wood. They employ 3/6 workers, they provide over half of all industrial output and 4/6 of the value of Sweden's exports. Among other branches of industry, energy, mechanical engineering, mining, metallurgical, chemical, woodworking, pulp and paper and light industries are developed.

Since the 1950s, Swedish industry has been vigorously modernizing production.

The wages of Swedish workers are uneven. The highest wages are received by builders, miners, and workers in the machine-building industry. The least well-off part of the Swedish proletariat is workers in the forestry, textile, footwear, food industries, port workers, and agricultural workers. These groups make up at least a third of the entire Swedish working class. The low-paid groups of workers include youth and women. In Sweden, women's work in industry and agriculture is paid less than that of men.

Agriculture

A little more than 15% of the active population is currently employed in agriculture.

4part of agricultural products is exported; at the same time, grain is being imported into Sweden."

The main branch of agriculture is meat and dairy farming. It provides 75% of all income from agriculture. Dairy products make up the bulk of agricultural exports. The main areas of dairy farming are the region of Skåne and the vicinity of Lake Vänern.

Pig farming is most developed in the coastal regions of southern Sweden. There are also horse breeding farms where heavy horses are bred. Sheep are raised mainly on the islands of Öland and Gotland and along the country's western coast.

Throughout northern Sweden, where grazing prevails over agriculture, the system of seters, that is, summer pastures with outbuildings, has still been preserved. Cattle on nethers graze all summer, and the primary processing of dairy products is also carried out there.

The most valuable tracts of arable land are located in the lakeside lowlands of central Sweden and in Skåne.

Of the grain crops, oats are common in Sweden, the widespread growth of which is favored by a humid climate. Most of the barley crops are concentrated in northern Sweden. Until the 1920s, rye predominated among the food crops, which is now cultivated almost everywhere, but then the sowing of wheat, especially spring wheat, increased. The main wheat regions of the country are the lowlands of central and southern Sweden.

The proportion of industrial crops in field cultivation is small. The main one is sugar beet, the crops of which are concentrated in the south of the country. Flax and hemp are also sown, and from tilled crops - potatoes. Significant areas are occupied by seeded herbs (clover, alfalfa, etc.) * Small plots of land are under gardens and orchards.

Swedish agriculture is highly productive. Agricultural work is largely mechanized. Labor productivity has nearly doubled in the post-war period. But agriculture still lags behind industry in terms of development. Sweden is characterized by a sharp gap in the incomes of the rural population (agricultural workers and smallholders) and the urban population, caused in part by this lag.

Capitalist cooperation is highly developed in agriculture. All agricultural sectoral cooperatives are united in the Swedish Agricultural Union, which is under the control of large landowners and is in charge of the party of the center (agrarians).

In the Swedish countryside, a process of differentiation of the peasantry, typical of capitalism, is taking place. This process in the post-war years was largely accelerated by the law on the rationalization of agriculture, adopted by the Swedish Riksdag in 1947.

The dominant role in agricultural production belongs to large and medium landowners. According to the 1956 census, 9 large farms (over 50 hectares) account for 2.3% of all farms and own 21% of all cultivated land. Small farms (up to 5 hectares of land) make up 45.8% of all farms, and have only 11.5% of arable land. In most of these farms, land cultivation and harvesting are also carried out with old agricultural implements: the Värmland plow, plow, and scythe. As early as the beginning of the 20th century. in the regions of Småland, Västerjetland and Norland, rye, oats and barley were harvested with a sickle.

In central and southern Sweden, where noble landownership existed in the epoch of feudalism, large-scale farms have been preserved, and the agricultural proletariat is also concentrated here. The development of the territory of northern Sweden took place in the 19th century; it is characterized by medium and small peasant land ownership. A significant part of the peasants' own economy is not enough to support a family, so many of them work in logging. The inhabitants of the coastal strip, especially Bohuslän, are engaged in fishing. In times of trouble, small-land peasants and small tenants work for hire on large and medium-sized farms.

In the eastern part of central Sweden - the main area of ​​​​landownership - rent has been preserved in some places. Landless or land-poor torpari peasants rent small plots of land (torps). for the use of which they work out in the economy of their owners a certain number of days a year. The second category of tenants is the statari. These are small tenants attached to the farm, most often family. They are provided with housing and a small plot of land. Their "stat" (payment) includes bread, milk, fodder for livestock. The third category of tenants are husmens (huts). They rent a tiny allotment with a hut, because they don't have it! no land, no housing. The rented land usually cannot feed the hysmen. The main income for him is work in logging, auxiliary - hunting, fishing.

Other sectors of the economy

Of the other sectors of the economy, fishing, hunting and fur farming are developed.

Sea fishing is concentrated on the west coast. An area of ​​compact fishing settlements was also created here. The main types of fish: on the west coast - herring, cod, mackerel, saffron cod; on the east and south - herring, cod and herring. More than a third of all Swedish fishermen are engaged in fishing as an auxiliary fishery.

A side income to agriculture is also fishing in inland waters - catching eels, salmon, pike, perch, in lakes - whitefish and trout.

Hunting, like fishing, is only an auxiliary occupation. They hunt moose, squirrels and red foxes.

Artificial fur farming is organized in the forest regions of the country. Foxes (silver-black and platinum), blue fox and mink are bred in enclosures.

Traditional Swedish handicrafts are cooperage (especially in the north), the production of agricultural equipment, carts, fishing nets, pottery, woodworking, leather, bone, horn, household utensils, furniture. Spinning, weaving, lace weaving, fur dressing are also developed.

Transport

The main mode of transport within the country is railways. Their length by the beginning of 1960 reached 15.6 thousand km. The state owns 95% of the railways. Most of the transportation is carried out by electric traction. Sweden is connected by a railway network with Finland and Norway, and with the help of ferries carrying entire trains - with Denmark, Germany and Poland. Maritime transport is of great importance for the country's economy. The Swedish merchant fleet serves not only the needs of its country, it is also engaged in the transport of goods between foreign ports. The largest seaports in Sweden are Gothenburg, Stockholm, Luleå, Malmö.

Air communication between Sweden and other countries is carried out.

A dense network of good highways makes it possible to widely use vehicles for the transport of passengers and goods. International bus service is also developed.

Inland waterways are of secondary importance, they transport mainly timber, coal and metal products.

A common type of rural transport is a team of a pair of oxen and a wide cart with low sides.

In forested and mountainous rural areas, skis, bicycles and boats are an important means of communication.

With an area of ​​450,000 sq. km (174,000 sq. miles), Sweden is one of the largest countries in Western Europe. However, its population density is relatively low. In 2011, 9.4 million people lived in Sweden. Like other relatively small industrialized countries, Sweden is highly dependent on foreign trade to maintain its high productivity and standard of living. Over 80% of all exports are manufactured goods. The most important export markets are in Western Europe. More than half of Swedish exports go to the European Union (EU). The neighboring Nordic countries of Finland and Norway are also important. Although these countries, plus Denmark, have a combined population of only 14-15 million, they account for almost one-fifth of Sweden's exports.

Although Sweden is a relatively small country, its economy is highly diversified. The traditional industries based on the two most important raw materials, iron ore and timber, still play an important role, but the importance of engineering and various high-tech sectors has increased. Few other countries the size of Sweden have their own aircraft and nuclear power industries, as well as two national car companies, an advanced armaments industry, a high-tech telecommunications industry, and two large pharmaceutical groups.

Given its neutrality throughout the 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living, a mixed economy based on high technology and extensive welfare benefits. The Swedish economy has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled workforce. In September 2003, Swedish voters voted against entry into the European Monetary Union, which would have impacts on the economy and sovereignty.

Timber, hydroelectric power, and iron ore form the material and raw material base of the Swedish economy, which is largely oriented towards foreign trade. Private firms account for approximately 90% of industrial output, of which the technical sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for less than 2% of GDP and employment.

Until 2008, Sweden experienced a long economic recovery, an increase in domestic demand and an increase in exports. These factors and a healthy financial system enabled the centre-right government to implement reforms aimed at increasing employment, reducing dependence on world markets and reducing the role of the state in the economy. Despite a strong financial system, the Swedish economy entered recession in the third quarter of 2008 as a result of the global economic crisis. The downturn in the Swedish economy continued into 2009 as deteriorating global conditions reduced demand for Swedish exports. In 2010, the growth of exports of consumer goods and the recovery of the banking sector became the "locomotive" of the recovery of the Swedish economy.

Swedish economic model

The term "Swedish model" arose in connection with the formation of Sweden as one of the most developed countries in terms of socio-economics. It appeared in the late 1960s, when foreign observers began to note the successful combination in Sweden of rapid economic growth with an extensive reform policy against the backdrop of a relatively socially conflict-free society. This image of a successful and serene Sweden contrasted particularly strongly then with the growth of social and political conflicts in the surrounding world.

Now this term is used in various meanings and has a different meaning depending on what is invested in it. Some note the mixed nature of the Swedish economy, combining market relations and state regulation, the prevailing private ownership in production and the socialization of consumption.

Another characteristic feature of post-war Sweden is the specificity of the relationship between labor and capital in the labor market. For many decades an important part of Swedish reality has been a centralized wage bargaining system with powerful trade union organizations and employers as the main actors, with trade union policy based on the principles of solidarity between different groups of workers.

Another way to define the Swedish model comes from the fact that two dominant goals are clearly distinguished in Swedish policy: full employment and income equalization, which determine the methods of economic policy. An active policy in a highly developed labor market and an exceptionally large public sector (in this case, primarily the sphere of redistribution, and not state ownership) are seen as the results of this policy.

Finally, in the broadest sense, the Swedish model is the whole complex of socio-economic and political realities in the country with its high standard of living and wide scale of social policy. Thus, the concept of “Swedish model” does not have an unambiguous interpretation.

The main goals of the model, as already noted, for a long time were full employment and income equalization. Their dominance can be explained by the unique strength of the Swedish labor movement. For more than half a century - since 1932 (with the exception of 1976-1982) - the Social Democratic Party of Sweden (SDRPS) has been in power. For decades, the Central Association of Trade Unions of Sweden has been closely cooperating with the SDRPSH, which strengthens the reformist labor movement in the country. Sweden differs from other countries in its acceptance of full employment as the main and invariable goal of economic policy, and the Swedish people as a whole are its active supporters.

The pursuit of equality is strongly developed in Sweden. When the Social Democrat leader Per Albin Hansson in 1928 put forward the concept of Sweden as the "home of the people", which spoke of the common interests of the nation in creating a common home, large sections of the population outside the labor movement were able to accept his views. In Sweden, social democratic ideas attract a significant part of the middle strata.

Among the specific factors inherent in Sweden, it is necessary to include invariable foreign policy neutrality since 1814, non-participation in both world wars, a record-breaking stay in power of the Social Democratic Labor Party, historical traditions of peaceful ways of transition to new formations, in particular from feudalism to capitalism, long-term favorable and stable conditions for the development of the economy, the dominance of reformism in the labor movement, which approved these principles in its relations with capital (they were symbolized by the agreements between the trade union leadership and employers in Saltschebaden in 1938), the search for compromises based on the consideration of the interests of various parties .

The economic development was influenced to a certain extent by culture and historical background. Entrepreneurship is an integral part of Swedish tradition. Since the time of the Vikings, Sweden has been known for the production of weapons and jewelry. The world's first company, Strura Kopparberg (founded over 700 years ago), appeared in Sweden and is still one of the country's top ten exporters.

The successful functioning of the economic system depends on price dynamics, the competitiveness of Swedish industry and economic growth. In particular, inflation is a threat to both equity and the competitiveness of the Swedish economy. Therefore, such methods of maintaining full employment should be used that do not lead to inflation and a negative impact on the economy. As practice has shown, the dilemma between unemployment and inflation was the Achilles' heel of the Swedish model.

Since the mid-1970s, due to the intensification of competition in foreign markets and a deep economic crisis, the country's situation has become noticeably more complicated, and the Swedish model began to misfire. In particular, some branches of industry that fell into a deep structural crisis began to receive state assistance, and on a very large scale. But, despite the gloomy forecasts of many economists, Sweden managed to get out of the crisis. The continuous economic recovery since 1983 has shown that the Swedish model has been able to adapt to the changed conditions and has shown its viability.

The Swedish model proceeds from the position that a decentralized market system of production is efficient, the state does not interfere in the production activities of an enterprise, and an active labor market policy should minimize the social costs of a market economy. The point is to maximize the growth of private sector production and redistribute as much of the profits as possible by the state through the tax system and the public sector to improve the living standards of the population, but without affecting the basics of production. At the same time, the emphasis is on infrastructure elements and collective cash funds.

This has led to a very large role of the state in Sweden in the distribution, consumption and redistribution of national income through taxes and government spending, reaching record levels. In the reformist ideology, such activity was called “functional socialism”.

Main features and history of economic development

For a hundred years, from a backward (one of the poorest in Europe) country, which it was in the middle of the 19th century, it turned into one of the most economically developed states. In the 1970s, in terms of the cost of industrial production per capita, Sweden was in first place in Europe.

The transformation of the economy from a backward agrarian to an advanced industrial one was facilitated by the presence of large reserves of important natural resources: iron ore, timber, and hydropower. Huge external demand for Swedish timber and iron ore, Sweden's ability to exploit resources, and the proximity of European markets in an era of high transport costs were major drivers of development.

In the 1970s, Swedish iron ore and timber were essential to the industrialization of Europe. The expansion of Swedish exports contributed to the industrialization of the country and the growth of the urban population, which in turn led to the development of the railway network and construction. On the basis of Swedish inventions, new companies in metallurgy and mechanical engineering were created and grew rapidly. Although the sawmill and iron ore industries continued to dominate, the pulp and paper industry and engineering developed rapidly.

The share of the labor force employed in industry increased from 1870 to 1913 from 15% to 34%. At the start of World War I, agriculture still accounted for half of the working population.

In conditions of rapid population growth, emigration was important, primarily to North America. In 1860-1930. 1.2 million Swedes left the country. Emigration made it possible to avoid starvation and mass unemployment. Sweden avoided participation in both world wars, which made it possible not only to maintain production potential and labor resources, but also to significantly enrich itself in supplies to the warring countries and in the restoration of the European economy.

In the interwar period, Sweden was second only to the United States in terms of GDP growth. However, two deep economic crises dealt a serious blow to the economy: in 1921-1922. due to deflation after the First World War, which led to a fall in industrial production by 25% below the level of 1913, and in the early 30s, when unemployment among union members in 1933 was 25%.

In the post-war period, the Swedish economy developed rapidly. Those were her golden years. Export was the main driver of this development. Labor productivity growth averaged 5.1% per year in the first half of the 1960s and 4.3% in 1965-1974. This was due to significant capital investments and successes in employment policy.

In the 1970s, growth rates fell. After the energy crisis of 1973-1974. a number of serious problems arose in the country's industry. To a large extent, this was the result of a very deep and prolonged global crisis in the mid-1970s. Sweden has been hit by deep structural crises. About 25% of industrial production was accounted for by sectors affected by the crisis: mining, ferrous metallurgy, timber and shipbuilding. International competition has increased. Countries with low labor costs entered the world market. Reduced transport costs. Oil prices have risen sharply. At the same time, the competitiveness of Swedish industry declined sharply in 1975-1976, when labor costs rose by about 40%. As a result, the Swedish industry has lost for 1975-1977. nearly 20% of its global market share.

Overcapacity and low global demand for iron and steel have had a negative impact on the Swedish iron and steel industry. The timber industry was losing ground under the onslaught of competitors, primarily from North America. A large global surplus of global shipbuilding capacity, coupled with weak demand for both new ships and chartering, has drastically reduced Swedish ship production. The footwear and clothing industry experienced very serious competition from some developing countries, where labor costs were much lower than in Sweden. In order to avoid too abrupt structural shifts in industry and a rapid rise in unemployment, from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, the state provided significant assistance to the affected industries, primarily ferrous metallurgy, shipbuilding and the mining industry.

In 1977 (for the first time in 25 years) WFP fell. Weak growth in 1978-1980 was replaced by another fall in 1981. Since the mid-70s, the growth rate of labor productivity has slowed down sharply and amounted to in 1975-1984. only 1.4% per year. The number of hours worked has declined since the mid-1960s, mainly as a result of legislative reforms on working hours, on retirement age and on holidays. These reforms took into account population growth and the proportion of employed women.

In order to restore competitiveness, the government carried out a series of devaluations starting in August 1977, when the krone was devalued by 10%. At the same time, Sweden withdrew from the European currency system, known as the “currency snake”. However, the demand for new products and technological progress have led to an increase in the proportion of high-tech industries. Mechanical engineering has strengthened its position in recent years. The pharmaceutical industry also developed rapidly.

Since 1983, the situation has changed dramatically, and the Swedish economy began to get out of the crisis. Due to two kroon devaluations, price competitiveness increased, leading to higher exports. In 1883, GDP increased by 2.4%, industrial production - by 5.1%, labor productivity - by 7.4%. In 1984, GDP growth was 4%, the highest since 1973. Exports were again the main driver of growth. Over the next two years, growth slowed slightly due to a slowdown in export growth. Increasing household incomes led to an increase in private consumption, which was an important catalyst for a sustained economic recovery. In absolute terms, the VVS at current prices in 1970 was -172 billion kroons, in 1980 - 525 billion, in 1985 - 861, in 1989 - 1221 billion kroons.

In general, in the 1980s, Sweden had a GFP increase slightly above the average for Western Europe. Favorable world conjuncture had a positive impact on the Swedish industry. Production capacity was used at 90%, and in many industries this figure was even higher. This required a significant amount of new capital investment. For 1983-1989 the volume of industrial investments grew by more than 60%. The shortage of skilled labor and a large number of absenteeism are the main reasons holding back the expansion of industrial production. Despite this, production increased rapidly. The receipt and volume of orders, profitability after 1982 were at a fairly high level. A high investment level was also observed in the service sector, which is less dependent on the market situation. It was expressed mainly in the rationalization of production and its saturation with electronic computers.

The leading trend in Sweden's economic development in the 1980s was the transition from traditional dependence on iron ore and iron and steel to advanced technology in the production of vehicles, electrical goods, communications, chemical and pharmaceutical products.

Adhering to the policy of non-participation in wars and neutrality throughout the 20th century, Sweden has achieved a high standard of living for the population in a capitalist economic system based on the use of high technology and comprehensive social security. The country has a modern infrastructure, excellent internal and external communications and a highly skilled workforce. The main resources of the economy are timber, hydropower and iron ore. The economy is focused mainly on foreign trade.

About 90% of products are produced by private companies such as Ericsson AB, Alfa Laval Group, IKEA, of which about half is mechanical engineering. Agriculture produces only 2% of GDP. The government's desire for strict financial discipline led to a budget surplus in 2001, which was halved in 2002 due to the global economic downturn, declining revenues and increased spending. The Central Bank of Sweden (Riksbank) aims to maintain a stable exchange rate and keep inflation at 2%.

Swedish GDP growth rate, % to the previous year

GDP growth in 2005 amounted to 2.7% (in 2004 - 3.7%). Since 2001, unemployment has been growing in the country, which in March 2010 was, according to official data, 9.1%. Communications and transport are the most important components of the country's overall infrastructure.

The current economic situation in Sweden

Sweden is an export-oriented mixed economy with a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled workforce. Timber, hydroelectric power and iron ore form the material and raw material base of an economy heavily oriented towards foreign trade. The Swedish technical sector accounts for 50% of production and exports. The telecommunications, automotive and pharmaceutical industries are also very important. Agriculture accounts for 2% of GDP and employment.

The top 20 companies registered in Sweden by turnover in 2007 were Volvo, Ericsson, Vattenfall, Skanska, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, Electrolux, Volvo Personvagnar, TeliaSonera, Sandvik, Scania, ICA, Hennes & Mauritz, Nordea, Preem , Atlas Copco, Securitas, Nordstjernan and SKF. Swedish industry is wholly in private hands; unlike some other industrialized countries of the West, such as Austria, Italy or Finland, state-owned enterprises in Sweden have always been of minor importance. One important exception to this rule is LKAB, a state-owned mining company mainly doing business in the northern part of the country.

Employment in Sweden is approximately 4.5 million inhabitants, of which approximately one third are with higher education. In terms of GDP per hour, Sweden is the 9th country in the world - 31 USD in 2006, compared to 22 USD in Spain and 35 USD in the United States. According to the OECD, deregulation, globalization, and the growth of the technology sector have been key drivers of productivity.

Sweden is the world leader in private pension payments and the problems of financing pensions are small compared to many other Western European countries. The Swedish labor market has become more flexible in recent years, but it still has some widely recognized problems. The typical worker receives only 40% of his income after tax. Civil servants make up one third of the Swedish workforce, many times more than in many other countries.

In 2010, Sweden ranked second in the ranking of the world's most competitive economies, ahead of the United States and Singapore. According to the Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011 prepared by the World Economic Forum, only Switzerland tops the list for the second consecutive year. According to the report of the international organization, Sweden moved up two positions, pushing the United States of America from second place to fourth. Singapore still ranks third in the ranking. Sweden's northern neighbors are also in the top 20, with Finland in seventh, Denmark in ninth and Norway in 14th.

Sweden rejected the euro in a referendum in 2003 and Sweden maintains its own currency, the Swedish krona (SEK). The Swedish Central Bank - founded in 1668 and thus the oldest central bank in the world - currently focuses on price stability (2% inflation target). According to the OECD's 2007 Economic Survey of Sweden, average inflation in Sweden has been one of the lowest among European countries since the mid-1990s, in large part due to deregulation and the rapid exploitation of globalization.

In 2010, Sweden's GDP (PPP) amounted to $337.9 billion, an increase of 1.9% compared to 2009 ($331.5 billion). GDP per capita (PPP): $36,500 ($36,000) The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: services - 72.2%, industry - 26.1%, agriculture and forestry, fisheries - 1.7%. Swedish domestic debt: 40.8% of GDP (41.6%). Sweden's external debt: 252% of GDP / $853.3 billion ($669 billion)

In September 2011, Sweden had an inflation rate of 3.2% and an unemployment rate of 6.8% (341,000 people). Unemployed among young people: 133,000 people (21.2% of the total working population aged 15-24 years). Number of new jobs: 55,024, 10,000 more than in September 2010.

Swedish industry

With a relatively limited volume of the total smelting of ferrous metals, Sweden is distinguished by the development of high-quality metallurgy (the production of alloyed and high-hydrocarbon steel grades). After the Second World War, practically new industries for Sweden grew up, the products of which found steady demand in the domestic and world markets: mechanical engineering, large-tonnage shipbuilding, the automotive and aviation industries, the production of counting and computer technology. 2:5 of machines and equipment manufactured in the country are exported. Sweden is the largest manufacturer of hydraulic turbines in foreign Europe, the manufacture of which began even before the First World War and was associated with the construction of hydroelectric power stations, both in Sweden itself and in neighboring Norway. Swedish turbines were installed at the Volkhov hydroelectric power station. One of the traditional branches of Swedish mechanical engineering, the production of ball and roller bearings, which gained worldwide recognition at the beginning of the 20th century. The main branch of the Swedish timber industry is pulp and paper production, which consumes more than half of the timber harvested in the country.

Growth rates of industrial production in Sweden, % to the previous year

Most of the enterprises are located on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. Many pulp and paper industries are located on the northern and northwestern shores of Lake Vänern. Due to the limited resource base, the chemical industry was slowly developing in Sweden. In Stockholm, Suppsalle and Södertälje, there are enterprises producing biochemical and pharmaceutical products. The textile, clothing, and leather and footwear industries, which operate almost entirely for the domestic market, are distinguished by a very modest scale of production. The main enterprises of the textile and clothing industry historically gravitate towards the western coast, to the ports where overseas cotton and wool were delivered. A major center of light industry is Buros.

Of the branches of the food industry, the production of dairy and meat products stands out, represented mainly by cooperative enterprises in areas of intensive animal husbandry - in the south of the country and in the lakeside lowlands of Central Sweden.

The largest mines in Sweden: copper - Aitik, lead - Laisval. Gray pyrite, arsenic, gold and silver are extracted from the complex sulfide ores of the Bouliden-Christine-Berg region along with copper, zinc and lead. Quality metallurgy centers (Sandviken, Hufors, Fagersta, Avesta, Degerfos, Hagfors and others.) are concentrated in Central Sweden, in the old Berrslagen mining region, which accounts for 2:3 of steel production, including 9:10 of high-quality steel. Large plants with a complete metallurgical cycle have been built in Burleng and in the ore-export ports of Luleå and Okselesund. Over 40% of steel is smelted in electric furnaces. The main center of non-ferrous metallurgy is Sheleftero (copper and lead), Sundsvall (aluminum), Västerås and Finspong (non-ferrous metal rolling). The main shipbuilding center is located on the western and southwestern coast of Sweden: Gothenburg (concerns "Gataverken" and "Eriksberg"), Malm ("Kokkums"), Uddevalla, Landskrona. In electrical engineering, the production of powerful generators, transformers, engines, concentrated in factories concern "Asena" (Vasteros, Ludvika), as well as the production of telephone equipment and other means of communication, carried out mainly at the enterprises of the concern "Erikson" (Stockholm).The largest center of textile and clothing production is Buros.

Until the mid-1970s, the Swedish economy developed at an exceptionally high rate, and only Japan was ahead of it. This high rate of growth can be considered to a large extent due to the development of Swedish industrial enterprises. Already at an early stage, Swedish companies understood the importance of having a presence in foreign markets. Being present in the local market made it easier to increase market share, while the costs and risks could be spread over a larger volume of sales.

The Swedish economy is currently heavily dependent on the activities of a limited number of very large international companies. In 1992, the United Nations estimated that there were approximately 35,000 multinational corporations in the world. Among them, approximately 2,700 have their headquarters in Sweden.

The concentration of industrial production on a small number of very large companies is one of the important factors contributing to the relatively high level of spending on research and development (R&D) in Sweden. Swedish multinational companies are among the most knowledge-intensive companies in the world, and over the years the bulk of this R&D has taken place in Sweden.

For many years, Swedish industrial companies have been among the most active international investors in the world, expressed either on a per capita basis or in relation to GDP. The number of workers employed by Swedish companies abroad has also risen sharply. It is currently estimated that 60% of those employed in Swedish multinational companies work outside of Sweden. For many years, Swedish investment abroad has far exceeded foreign investment in Sweden. This gap was especially evident in the late 1980s, when high costs and labor shortages made it difficult for Swedish companies to expand production in Sweden itself. However, this changed in the 1990s, especially as a result of the surge in foreign investment in Sweden. During 1991-1995. the volume of direct investments directed to Sweden exceeded the volume of Swedish investments abroad.

In the 1990s and 2000s, the information technology and telecommunications sectors began to develop in Sweden. It was these two industries - communications and information technology - that became the engine of Sweden's economic growth in the late 1990s, when Sweden began to set the tone for the practical use of the latest technologies. In 2000 and 2001, Sweden was awarded the title of the world's leading power in the field of information technology. The Swedish company Ericsson is widely known, supplying mobile telephone systems and digital information exchange to all markets of the world. The company ranks second in the world in the field of telecommunications.

External economic relations of Sweden

Since the mid-1990s, the export sector has developed rapidly, acting as the main engine for economic growth. Swedish exports also increased significantly. Changes have also taken place in the structure of exports, where services, information technology and telecommunications have come to dominate traditional industries such as steel and pulp and paper. This made the Swedish export sector less vulnerable to international fluctuations. However, at the same time, the Swedish industry received less money from exports, while import prices rose. In the period 1995-2003. export prices decreased by 4%, while import prices rose by 11%. As a result, Sweden lost about 13% of its foreign trade turnover.

In 2010, Sweden's exports amounted to $162.6 billion (in 2009 - $133.3 billion), and the volume of imports - $158.6 billion (in 2009 - $120.5 billion). Sweden currently has the largest foreign trade turnover with Germany, the United States, Norway, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Finland.

A separate line in Sweden's exports is the export of arms. The volume of exports of Swedish weapons and military equipment in 2009 amounted to 13.5 billion crowns (1.9 billion dollars). Compared to 2008, this figure increased by seven percent. 80 percent of Swedish weapons were supplied to the United States, South Africa and the European Union. The remaining 20 percent of military exports went to Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Thailand and the UAE. The largest buyer of Swedish weapons in 2009 was the Netherlands. This country bought weapons and military equipment worth 2.5 billion crowns. For comparison, Pakistan paid 1.4 billion crowns for the Swedish weapons, while the UK paid 901 million crowns. The most popular were the CV 90 infantry fighting vehicle, JAS 39 Gripen fighters and ARTHUR anti-artillery radars.

In 2010, it became known that Sweden had created an agency for the export of arms and military equipment. The agency has been operating since August 1, 2010. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in 2004-2007, Sweden ranked seventh in the world in terms of arms exports. During this period, the country sold eight billion dollars worth of weapons and military equipment abroad.

Sweden and Russia. Trade and economic relations.

Despite the fact that Russia and Sweden are neighbors, direct trade between them was mostly insignificant. There were reasons for that. First, the countries for a long time remained poor relatives in world trade, which means that they were not of great interest to each other. Secondly, in the XVIII-XIX centuries, Russia and Sweden offered almost the same goods to the market - timber and iron - so they acted as competitors rather than partners. In Soviet times, the development of Russian-Swedish trade was severely limited.

The only exception in a series of missed opportunities was the beginning of the 20th century, when the rapidly developing Swedish engineering companies literally flooded the Russian market with cutting-edge technical products for those times. Gustav de Laval's famous milk separators were especially popular. Which in Russian villages were lovingly called “lavalki”. In 1916, already during the First World War, Swedish exports to Russia reached a record high, amounting to 8% of all Swedish exports.

In absolute terms, Russian-Swedish trade grew quite rapidly until August 1998, when the financial crisis in Russia led to a reduction in trade between Russia and Sweden.

According to the Swedish Central Statistical Agency, from 1992 to 1997 the volume of Russian-Swedish trade more than tripled (from 4.3 billion to 13.9 billion kroons). In 1998, the turnover decreased by 18%, to 11.4 billion kroons. January-November 1999 the volume of Russian-Swedish trade remained approximately at the level of January-November 1998, while Russian exports to Sweden increased by 36%, while Swedish exports to Russia decreased by 32%.

Mutual trade, although growing, is still dominated by Russian exports: according to the Russian Ministry of Trade, in 1999 its volume amounted to $850 million, and counter imports - $470 million. Meanwhile, the share of industrial semi-finished and finished products in Russian deliveries (petroleum products, scrap metal, non-ferrous metal alloys, commercial timber, furniture, textiles) exceeded 30 percent against about 20 percent in the mid-1990s. In January-September 1999 alone, exports from Russia to Sweden - and non-primary goods at that - increased by more than half.

Almost two-thirds of Russian imports from Sweden consist of high-tech goods, primarily equipment; According to the Swedish experts of the joint commission, the volume of these supplies will increase at least 1.5 times in the coming years: due to trade restrictions of other EU member countries in relation to Russia, the growth of its need for modern equipment and difficulties in marketing these Swedish products in the currency area "Euro", which does not include Sweden.

The Swedish government does not rule out the possibility of eventually introducing a Swedish-Russian free trade zone and, within its framework, an "exchange" of tax and investment benefits, to which other countries in the region can then join.

According to experts from the Swedish embassy in Russia, Swedish investors are well aware of the potential of the Russian market. Therefore, the vast majority of Swedish investments remained in Russia after August 1998. In addition, the number of inquiries from Russian industrial enterprises regarding possible partners in Sweden is steadily growing. The embassy is confident that Russia will rise higher and higher in the list of Stockholm's main trading partners (while it occupies 25th place).

According to the trade adviser of the Swedish Embassy in Russia, Jan-Olof Nystrom, "Sweden can offer many goods, and not so much finished products as the technology for their production, including joint production. In our opinion, the economies of Russia and Sweden need such interaction. Acquaintance with modern Russian industrial products convinces that Swedish enterprises can increasingly trust Russian partners to produce various parts and components for them. On the whole, Russia, of course, is becoming an increasingly important trade and economic partner of Sweden."

Since 1988, since the visit of the then Prime Minister of the USSR N. Ryzhkov to Sweden, attempts have been made to turn the Swedes into consumers of Russian gas. Russia is even more interested in gas transit through Finland and Sweden to continental Europe. This issue took center stage at the interstate meeting in 1997, when Boris Yeltsin paid an official visit to Stockholm.

Sweden is also a supplier of investments to Russia. According to Rosstat statistics for 1996-1998, Sweden was one of the ten largest foreign investors in Russia, ranking sixth in it, ahead of Italian, French, and Japanese investments. Moreover, they are concentrated by about 75 percent in manufacturing industries (pulp and paper, telecommunications, metalworking, energy, construction industry, food, packaging). Swedish investors are strengthening their presence in the real sector of the Russian economy, primarily in the northwestern and central European regions. And one of the priority areas of Swedish investment is the joint development, implementation and export of resource-saving technologies.

Advisor to the Swedish Embassy in the Russian Federation Jan-Olof Nystrom believes that Swedish investment in Russia is growing steadily. According to J. Nystrom, "Swedish companies are convinced that the importance of Russia for the Swedish industry will increase in the near future. Today, about 200 Swedish companies are represented in Moscow and St. Petersburg alone. In total, about a thousand companies from Sweden are actively working on the Russian market."

In the European Union, the Swedes advocate the abolition of discriminatory measures against Russian enterprises and the creation in the long term of a free trade area between the EU and Russia. Sweden proceeds from the fact that in the 21st century trade and economic relations with its eastern neighbor will become much more lively, and the importance of the Russian market for Swedish companies will increase several times.

According to Swedish statistics, the trade turnover between Russia and Sweden in January-December 2010 amounted to 71,606 million Swiss francs. kroons (USD 9,931 million), an increase of 57.27% compared to January-December 2009. Positive balance in favor of Russia - 29,900 million Swiss francs. kroons (USD 4,147 million).

The Kingdom of Sweden (Swedish Konungariket Sverige (inf.)), Sweden (Swedish Sverige) is a state in Northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The form of government is a constitutional monarchy. The name of the country comes from the Old Norse Svea and Rige - "the state of the Svei". The capital is Stockholm. Member of the UN, the European Union since January 1, 1995, a country that has signed the Schengen Agreement. In terms of area (449,964 km²), Sweden ranks third among the countries of Western Europe and fifth among the countries of all of Europe. (Swedish krona, kr) is the currency of Sweden

The exact date of the appearance of the Swedish flag is unknown, but the earliest images of a yellow cross on a blue background date back to the 16th century. In accordance with the royal decree of 1569, the yellow cross was always to be depicted on Swedish battle standards and banners, since the coat of arms of Sweden was an azure (blue) shield with a gold straight cross. Only in the 20s of the 17th century is there reliable evidence that the blue triangular flag with a yellow cross was on Swedish ships. Now the triangular pennant is used only on the courts of the royal family and on military courts. On the pennant of the royal family, in addition, the Small or Large coat of arms of Sweden is depicted in the center of the cross.

Since 1916 June 6 has been celebrated as Swedish Flag Day. In 1983, this day was also declared the National Day of Sweden. This day was chosen for two reasons: on June 6, 1523, Gustav Vasa was elected king of Sweden, and this marked the beginning of Sweden as an independent state, and on the same day in 1809, Sweden adopted a new constitution that established the rights of citizens and endowed them with considerable freedom .

The construction and use of the coat of arms of Sweden is regulated by the Law (1982:268) on the State Emblem of Sweden, which states:

one § Sweden has two coats of arms: the large State Emblem, which is also the personal coat of arms of the head of state, and the small State Emblem. The national emblem is used as a symbol of the Swedish state. In addition to the head of state, the large national coat of arms can, in certain cases, be used by parliament, the government, Swedish foreign missions and the armed forces. With the permission of the head of state, other members of the royal family can use the large State Emblem as a personal emblem, with certain changes and additions to it, determined by the head of state.

2 § The Great State Emblem is an azure shield, divided into four parts by a golden cross, which has the coat of arms of the royal house in the middle. In the first and fourth parts - in the azure field there are three golden open crowns, two above one; in the third and fourth parts, six times beveled on the left for azure and silver, there is a golden crowned lion, with scarlet weapons. The central shield is dissected. The first part has the coat of arms of the house of Vasa: on the field twice beveled to the right for azure, silver and scarlet, there is a golden sheaf. The second part has the coat of arms of the House of Bernadotte: on an azure field, a hanging three-arched bridge, with two jagged towers, over the water, all in silver, with a golden eagle looking to the left, with lowered wings, holding golden peruns in its paws, above the bridge and the golden constellation Big Bears over an eagle. The shield is crowned with a royal crown and surrounded by the insignia of the Order of the Seraphim. The shield is supported by two gold crowned guarding lions with forked tails and scarlet weapons, standing on a gold base. The background for the Great Coat of Arms is a purple mantle on an ermine, with gold fringe, cords and tassels. The large State Emblem can exist without the order insignia, shield holders, base and mantle.

3 § the small State Emblem is an azure shield crowned with a royal crown, with three open golden open crowns, two above one. The shield may be surrounded by the insignia of the Order of the Seraphim. The Small State Emblem will also be three open golden crowns, two above one, without a shield and a royal crown. Authorities using the small State Emblem and having its image symbolizing their status must first obtain permission to use the small State Emblem from the State Council for Heraldry.

STORY

Ancient period

Primitive people settled in Sweden at the end of the last ice age more than 12 thousand years ago. Around 2500 BC agriculture and animal husbandry have already spread, which was accompanied by an increase in the population, which was concentrated mainly in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bLake. Mälaren and in the south-east of the country. The Bronze Age in Sweden lasted for about a thousand years from 1500 to 500 BC. In the middle of the 1st millennium BC. the first iron tools appeared. Initially, they were imported from other areas, but then they began to be made in Sweden. At the beginning of the 1st millennium AD. trade relations between eastern Scandinavia and the Mediterranean countries began.

By the 8th-9th centuries. refers to the emergence of the first state in the eastern part of Central Sweden - the kingdom of the Sveevs with its capital in the city of Birka (near modern Uppsala). Gradually, the Svei kings extended their power over most of southern Sweden and founded settlements on the southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea.

Viking Age (c. 800-1060). The Svei settlements served as bases for Viking campaigns. Some people from Sweden took part in the raids of Danish and Norwegian Vikings on the countries of Western Europe, but mostly Swedish soldiers and merchants rushed along the Russian rivers in search of contacts with Byzantium and the Arab world. It is believed that the Vikings-Varangians took part in the creation of the most ancient Slavic statehood in the east of Europe. In the 11th century Scandinavia again found itself in isolation. At this time, the kings of the Swedes from Uppsala ruled all the lands of modern Sweden, with the exception of the southern and western coastal regions, which remained under the rule of the Danes until the 17th century.

The Christian missionary Ansgar made his first trip to Sweden in 829, but only at the end of the 11th century. Under King Olaf Skötkonung, Christianity was officially adopted.

Early Middle Ages (1060-1319). After the death of Olaf, the last king of the Swedes, in 1060, Sweden became the scene of a long internecine struggle of pretenders to the royal throne. This period lasted over a hundred years. One of the famous kings who then ruled the country was Erik Jedvarsson (c. 1156-1160), who, according to legend, organized a crusade to Finland and initiated its conquest, which ended by the end in .. Erik was killed by a Danish prince in 1160 and posthumously canonized as a saint. He is considered the heavenly patron of the Swedish kings. The last king of the St. Erika was Erik Eriksson. During his reign, the dominant political figure was his brother-in-law Jarl Birger, who did a lot to develop trade relations with other countries of Northern Europe, and also built fortresses on the coast to protect against pirate raids. Around one of these fortresses, the city of Stockholm later arose. After the death of Erik in 1250, Valdemar, Jarl Birger's son, became king and laid the foundation for the Folkung dynasty. Jarl Birger continued to rule the country as regent until his death in 1266. Nine years later, Valdemar was overthrown by his brother Magnus, who was nicknamed Ladulos ("Garn Castle"). The latter strengthened royal power by completing the creation of the knighthood, which he exempted from taxes in exchange for military service.

14th century

In 1290, Magnus was succeeded by his son Birger. He quarreled with his brothers, and in 1319 his three-year-old nephew Magnus, who was already King of Norway, was elected to the Swedish throne. During the reign of Magnus, the old provincial codes of laws were replaced by a single code for the whole country, and the island of Gotland with the large trading city of Visby was given to the Danes. In 1356, Magnus was overthrown by the nobles with the support of a prominent political figure of the time, the nun Birgitta Birgersdotter. She founded a religious order and was subsequently canonized as a saint. The Revelations she wrote are considered an outstanding work of medieval Swedish literature. In 1359, Magnus again settled on the Swedish throne, but three years later he was finally expelled from the country. He was replaced on the throne by Albrecht of Mecklenburg, but he, too, was soon overthrown when he tried to deprive large feudal lords of power. The latter asked Margareta, widow of Magnus Eriksson's son and regent for the king of Norway and Denmark, to choose a king. Since Margareta's son died, her great-nephew Eric Pomeranian became king of Sweden, Norway and Denmark. In 1397, at a meeting of representatives of the nobility of all three kingdoms, he was crowned in Kalmar, hence the name of the new association, the Kalmar Union.

Kalmar Union

As regent, Margareta ruled all of Scandinavia until her death in 1412. When her great-nephew Eric came of age and became king, he was disliked in Sweden, as he distributed lands and castles mainly to Danes and Norwegians and bypassed the local aristocracy, and also ruined relations with The Hanseatic League, which united the rich North German cities. In 1432, an uprising of the poor strata of the population led by Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson broke out in the mining region of Central Sweden - Bergslagen, as the Hanseatic League sought to control the profitable export of mined ore. The uprising developed into a genuine people's war that lasted several years. After the uprising, Eric lost his right to the throne in all three Scandinavian countries, and his nephew Christopher of Bavaria became the heir. He died eight years later. The Swedish feudal lords insisted on choosing Karl Knutsson as the heir to the throne, despite the fact that the Danes and Norwegians opted for King Christian I of Oldenburg. Karl Knutsson, crowned under the name of Charles VIII, was popular among the people. He died in 1470, and his nephew Sten Sture was elected regent. Christian I also claimed the Swedish throne, but was defeated by the Sture army at the Battle of Brunkeberg in 1471. Until 1520, Sweden, nominally in union with Denmark, was actually ruled by regents, despite the fact that the Danish kings repeatedly tried to restore their power in Sweden. The last of the regents, Sten Sture the Younger, quarreled with the influential archbishop of Uppsala, Gustav Trolle, who was actively plotting in favor of the Danish king, for which he was arrested and defrocked. Trolle wanted revenge and prompted Christian II, the newly elected king of Norway and Denmark, to invade Sweden. Christian II defeated Sture, triumphantly entered Stockholm and became king of Sweden. At the instigation of Trolle, in November 1520, he executed 82 supporters of Sture, accused of heresy, and this event went down in history as the "Stockholm bloodbath".

Restoration of Swedish independence

Further persecution of Sture's supporters led to an uprising in the province of Dalarna, which then spread to other areas. Soon Christian II lost power in the country. In 1523, the leader of the rebels, the Swedish nobleman Gustav Vasa, was elected king of independent Sweden, and the Kalmar Union collapsed. Meanwhile, a civil war broke out in Denmark, where the nobility and clergy overthrew Christian II, electing his uncle Frederick, Duke of Holstein as king. Frederick and Gustav Vasa joined forces and defeated the troops of Christian II. At this time, the preaching of the Reformation began in the country. Among the Lutheran preachers, Olaus Petri stood out, with the help of whom the Bible was translated into Swedish. Christian II, who tried to maintain power over Sweden, was supported by the Catholic Church, and to undermine its influence, Gustav Vasa used the Reformation. At the Riksdag of 1527, he convinced representatives of the nobility, clergy, townspeople and free peasants to support the proposal to confiscate most of the church lands. This measure forced the bishops to submit to the king. Gustav Vasa appointed a new archbishop to replace the influential Trolle, and patronized the Lutheran reformers. The policy of the king and his attempts to centralize power aroused sharp opposition from part of the nobility and peasantry. In a number of regions of the country, uprisings swept under the slogan of protecting the ancient Catholic faith from the oppression of the king. However, Gustav was strong enough and in 1544 introduced a hereditary monarchy in the country. At the same time, the aristocratic Council of State (Rixrod) and a representative class body, called the Riksdag, remained as centers of power. After Gustav Vasa, the throne was taken by his eldest son Eric XIV. He tried to take advantage of the collapse of the Livonian Order State in order to expand the borders of Sweden and control the lucrative trade routes in the Baltic to Eastern Europe and Russia. In 1561, Estonia was annexed to Sweden with the city of Revel (Tallinn). In 1563 this led to a war with Denmark, which also laid claim to the eastern Baltic. Even before the end of the war, Eric was deposed from the throne by his half-brother Johan, who was crowned as Johan III. Having made peace with Denmark in 1570, Johan III, married to a Catholic, the daughter of the Polish king Katarina Jagielonczyk, tried to make peace with papal authority. Johan's son Sigismund was brought up in the Catholic faith and because of this was elected to the Polish throne. Johan's pro-Catholic policies were opposed by his younger brother Duke Karl. After Johan's death, when Sigismund became king of Sweden (1592), a meeting of the clergy in Uppsala decided to finally accept the Lutheran religion in Sweden (1593).

In 1570, a long-term war with Muscovy began, which ended in 1595 with the Treaty of Tyavzin, according to which Russia recognized the transition of Estonia to the rule of the Swedes and agreed to a shift of the border to the east.

The union of Protestant Sweden and Catholic Poland proved to be fragile. In 1598, a conflict between Sigismund and Charles led to a civil war: in September, Charles' troops were defeated at Stongebro. The following year, the Riksdag removed Sigismund from the throne, Duke Charles became the ruler of Sweden, and from 1604 King Charles IX. Under him, Sweden, waging war with Poland, actively intervened in Russian affairs, trying to use the "distemper" to strengthen its influence here.

Gustav II Adolf

In 1611 war broke out again with Denmark, and in the midst of this war, Charles IX died. His youngest son, Gustav Adolf, made peace with Denmark by paying a large compensation for the return of Sweden to the strategically important fortress of Elvsborg, located near the place where the city of Gothenburg soon arose. As a result of successful military actions, Gustav Adolf managed to strengthen his position in the Baltic states, Ingermanland and Karelia, which was secured by the Stolbov peace (1617), as a result, Russia lost access to the Baltic Sea.

Then Gustav Adolf invaded Livonia (Lifland), which belonged to Sigismund, who still claimed the Swedish throne. In 1629, the Swedish-Polish war ended with the Truce of Altmar, according to which the Poles recognized the transition of Livonia with the city of Riga and Estonia under the rule of the Swedish crown.

In 1618, a war broke out in Germany (the Thirty Years' War), and the oppressed Protestants turned to the Scandinavian monarchs for help in the fight against the Catholic emperor. In 1630, Gustav Adolf landed in Pomerania. In 1631 he defeated the Catholics at the Battle of Breitenfeld near Leipzig in Saxony and marched into southern Germany, but was killed the following year at the Battle of Lützen.

Queen Christina

After the death of Gustav Adolf, Chancellor Oxenstierna, a representative of the highest aristocratic dignitaries, who ruled on behalf of Gustav Adolf's six-year-old daughter Christina, continued the war in alliance with France. During lengthy peace negotiations in 1643, Sweden invaded Denmark, and forced the return of the island of Gotland and the province of Halland. By the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, Sweden acquired western Pomerania and control over the mouths of the Elbe and Weser rivers.

Sweden's remarkable successes in the Thirty Years' War were due in part to the reforms of Gustavus Adolphus, who created an effective centralized government and reorganized local government, placing his governors at the head of the fiefs. The Riksdag finally took shape as a representative body of the four estates - the nobility, the clergy, the burghers and the peasantry. The welfare of the country has increased due to the promotion of the export of copper and iron ore. Gustav Adolf generously endowed Uppsala University, eking out a miserable existence, at the expense of income from royal estates. Having reached the age of majority in 1644, Christina became the sole decision-maker, but in 1654, for reasons that are not fully known, she abdicated in favor of her cousin Charles of Zweibrücken, who became king under the name of Charles X Gustav.

Carl X Gustav

He had great military experience and was determined to ward off the threat from Poland, which was still ruled by the Waza dynasty. He also tried to increase Swedish influence on the southern shores of the Baltic. During Charles' stay in Poland, Denmark declared war on Sweden. Charles returned to his homeland and rebuffed the Danes, forcing King Christian IV to make peace in 1658 and cede Danish lands east of the Øresund Strait (Sund). Not satisfied with these acquisitions, Charles resumed the war, but died suddenly in 1660. The regents, who ruled on behalf of his young son Charles XI, made peace and tried to keep most of the land conquered by Charles X. Sweden became a great European power.

Charles XI

Wars, almost unceasing since the beginning of the century, depleted the country's financial resources and forced the regents to sell or give away a significant part of the lands taken by Gustav Vasa from the church. However, this did not help solve financial problems, and the regents had to seek subsidies from foreign powers. In return, France demanded that Sweden participate in the war with Brandenburg and Denmark in 1674, and as a result, all Swedish possessions in Germany were captured by opponents. With the support of France, Sweden still managed to get out of the war without serious losses. By that time, Charles XI had gained absolute power in the country with the help of the petty nobility, townspeople and peasants, who were dissatisfied with the wealth and influence of the regents. Charles pursued a "policy of reduction", i.e. confiscation of most of the crown estates distributed during the regency, and thereby sought to weaken the power of the aristocracy. As a result of this policy, royal revenues grew, there was no need to ask the Riksdag to impose additional taxes, and the seizure of only certain lands of the crown continued. Thanks to the policy of neutrality pursued by Charles, Swedish merchants managed to take over a significant part of the trade in the Baltic. In the last two decades of the 17th century in this trade, the main role was assigned to Swedish iron ore and tar, as well as Russian hemp and flax. Charles XI reformed the armed forces.

Great Northern War (1700-1721). Having ascended the throne, 15-year-old Charles XII inherited a strong and influential state. Russia, Denmark and Saxony, which was in a personal union with Poland, formed an offensive alliance against Sweden and started the Northern War. Despite his young age, Charles XII turned out to be a talented commander. He forced Denmark out of the war and defeated the Russian troops near Narva, then turned the troops to the south, put his protege on the Polish throne, and in 1706 forced the Saxon Elector Augustus II to make peace. However, the campaign in Russia ended in defeat at the Battle of Poltava in 1709. Charles's army surrendered, and he fled to Turkey. For five years, he unsuccessfully tried to convince the Turkish Sultan to start a war against Russia. After the defeat of the Swedes near Poltava, an anti-Swedish coalition was formed consisting of Prussia, Hanover, Denmark and Russia, as well as Saxony, the former ruler of which took the Polish throne from Charles' protege. Shortly thereafter, Charles returned to his country, but by that time he had lost all possessions in Germany. Having actually resigned himself to the loss of the Baltic states, Charles XII tried to annex Norway, which belonged to the Danish crown. He undertook two military campaigns in Norway, where he was killed in 1718. Karl's sister Ulrika Eleonora and her husband Fredrik I (Frederick of Hesse) inherited the throne, but only at the cost of a new constitution, which significantly limited the prerogatives of the crown and actually transferred political power into the hands of the four-estate Riksdag and the government formed by him - the Riksrod. The period that followed was called the "era of freedom." The war ended with the conclusion of a series of peace treaties in 1720-1721, according to which Sweden lost all overseas possessions, except for Finland and part of Pomerania. The era of Swedish "great power" is over.

Era of freedom

Under the leadership of Chancellor Arvid Horn (Hurn), leader of the Riksrod, who avoided intrigues with foreign countries, Sweden quickly recovered from the devastation of war. The political life of Sweden was unusually active, especially during the regularly convened riksdags, where the 1730s. original political groupings were formed - “parties”, which eventually received the names of “hats” and “caps”. The younger generation of nobles, who proudly called themselves "hats" (officer's headdress), opposed A. Gorn's peaceful and cautious policy, calling the supporters of this policy "night caps". "Hats" dreamed of taking revenge on Russia with the support of France. In 1738 they won the majority of seats in the Riksdag and forced Horn to resign. In Sweden, a regime of "estate parliamentarism" was established, when the country's governing bodies, primarily the Riksrod, were formed by the group that won the elections. In 1741, the "hats" unleashed a war with Russia, which ended in defeat. Sweden was forced to make peace in 1743 and agreed to recognize the Russian protege Adolf Fredrik of Holstein as heir to the Swedish throne. The "hats" managed to maintain their influence for some time, but it weakened due to the worsening economic situation in the country. To further complicate the financial problems, the "hats" dragged Sweden into the Seven Years' War against Prussia. The "caps", or "junior caps", strengthened their positions in the royal council in 1765. The attempts of the "caps" to fight inflation did not bring success, and their social program, aimed at reducing the privileges of the nobility, led to an aggravation of the political situation. The new “court party” was strengthening its positions, advocating strengthening the power of the crown.

Gustav III

After the death of Adolf Fredrik in 1771, Sweden entered a period of protracted political crisis, when power passed from one party to another several times. King Gustav III, the son of Adolf Fredrik, took advantage of the favorable situation, enlisted the support of France and, relying on the nobility, guards and army, carried out a military coup in August 1772. He forced the Riksdag to adopt a new constitution (Form of Government), which significantly expanded the prerogatives of the crown and limited the powers of the Riksdag, which is now convened only by decision of the monarch. Known as a champion of enlightened absolutism, Gustav introduced many important reforms in the areas of judiciary and civil government, money circulation and defense.

In the 1780s, however, he began to lose the support of the aristocracy and the nobility, whose opposition already manifested itself at the Riksdag of 1786. In foreign policy, Gustav III dreamed of joining Norway. In 1788, taking advantage of the war between Russia and Turkey, he tried to take revenge for the defeat of Sweden in the 18th century, but without any success. But, taking advantage of the war, in 1789 the king managed to force the Riksdag to adopt an addition to the constitution of 1772 in the form of an Act of Unity and Security, which further expanded the power of the monarch. However, this consolidation of the absolute monarchy led to a conflict with a significant part of the nobility, whose privileges were encroached on by Gustav III. A conspiracy was organized against him. Dissatisfaction with the king was also facilitated by his plans to draw Sweden into intervention against revolutionary France. In March 1792, at a costume ball, Gustav III was mortally wounded.

The death of Gustav III coincided with the end of the heyday of Swedish culture. In the 17th century prominent naturalist Carl Linnaeus laid the foundations of modern plant taxonomy. At the same time, the mystic philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg, who became famous for his discoveries in astronomy, mathematics and geology, worked. Sculptor Juhan Sergel is known as one of the founders of European classicism. The poet and composer Carl Belman created the cycles of poems and drinking songs Fredman's Message and Fredman's Songs. Gustav III was interested in art, especially opera and drama. To counteract French influence, Gustav wrote plays in Swedish and in 1786 founded the Swedish Academy of Sciences, which was supposed to encourage the spread of the Swedish language.

King Gustav IV Adolf, son of Gustav III, did not inherit his father's gifts. Domestically, he continued the policy of strengthening absolutism. Like his father, he secretly dreamed of joining Norway. In 1805, Sweden joined the anti-Napoleonic coalition, its troops were transferred to Northern Germany, but by the middle of 1807 Napoleon forced them to evacuate to Sweden. The situation changed significantly in July 1807 with the Peace of Tilsit between Napoleon and Alexander I, who undertook to force Sweden to join the continental blockade proclaimed by the French emperor. In February 1808, Russian troops invaded Finland, the southern part of which was quickly occupied by them. Alexander I proclaimed the accession of Finland to Russia, in the fall of 1808 Napoleon agreed to this at a meeting in Erfurt. The position of Sweden was very difficult. In March 1809, Gustav IV Adolf was overthrown by the army, the Riksdag, created in May, adopted a new constitution on June 6, 1809 and then elected the uncle of the deposed monarch Duke Charles (Charles XIII) as king. The new "form of government" introduced the separation of powers in the spirit of the teachings of Montesquieu, significantly expanded the rights of the Riksdag, which retained the archaic four-estate structure, and proclaimed fundamental rights and freedoms. The king retained significant power, primarily in the field of foreign policy. Since Charles XIII had no legitimate heir, in 1810 the Riksdag invited one of Napoleon's marshals, Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, to take the Swedish throne, hoping that France would help regain Finland, which at that time was annexed to Russia. Bernadotte arrived in Sweden in 1810 and took the name Carl Johan. He did not intend to be Napoleon's viceroy. In 1812 he managed to conclude an alliance with Russia, directed against France. The loss of Finland was supposed to be compensated by the rejection of Norway from Denmark, then an ally of France. In 1813, Karl Johan became commander of the Allied Northern Army, which included Swedish, Russian and Prussian troops. After the Battle of the Nations near Leipzig in October 1813, Karl Johan turned part of his army against Denmark. On January 14, 1814, a Swedish-Danish peace treaty was signed in Kiel, according to which the Danish king ceded Norway to the Swedish king. However, Norway declared its independence, but eventually agreed to a dynastic union with Sweden, on much more favorable terms. The "United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway" had only a monarch and a foreign policy in common. In 1814-1815, Sweden finally abandoned its possessions in Northern Germany (Swedish Pomerania went to Prussia), which meant the end of the expansion that began in 1561 on the shores of the Baltic. The new geographical position of Sweden, the acquisition of "natural" borders by it eliminated the causes of wars with both Russia and Denmark. Gradually, neutrality, which has become traditional, becomes the basis of Swedish foreign policy.

19th century

After becoming king in 1818, Charles XIV Johan resisted the demands of the middle class to expand economic freedoms and political rights, but in the reign of Oscar I (1844-1859), the restrictions imposed on the development of industry by the guild system were lifted. Oscar also encouraged a movement towards a closer unity of the Scandinavian countries - Sweden - Norway and Denmark. Sweden sent military aid to Denmark during the war with Germany over Schleswig-Holstein in 1848-1850.

The Romantic movement aroused interest in the revival of Swedish culture. Prominent figures in this movement were the poet Esaias Tegner (1782-1846), who later became bishop of Växjö, and the poet and historian Erik Gustav Geyer (1783-1847).

In 1865-1866, the first parliamentary reform was carried out: the 4-class Riksdag was replaced by a bicameral parliament, however, with qualifications that significantly limited the size of the electorate. Since that time, the liberal-democratic forces, which then joined the social democracy, began to fight for the democratization of Sweden: the introduction of universal suffrage and parliamentary responsibility of the government. In the late 1870s, increased grain imports from Russia and North America led to higher prices and difficulties for Swedish rural producers, who made up the vast majority of the country's population. Agriculture in Sweden began to shift from grain production to animal husbandry, which required fewer workers. Economic problems, along with land shortages due to population growth since the 18th century, have spurred widespread emigration since the 1880s. From the middle of the 19th century technological progress and improved means of communication contributed to the use of vast forests in the north of Sweden and iron ore deposits in Lapland. The development of industry was accompanied by the growth of the working class. The Social Democratic Workers' Party of Sweden (SDPSh), founded in 1889, received its first mandate in the Riksdag in 1896. After the abolition of old laws aimed at maintaining the monopoly position of the state church, the number of religious sectarians increased. The sobriety movement gained a lot of adherents.

Early 20th century

At the end of the 19th century relations between Sweden and Norway became more and more aggravated. In 1905 Norway declared its independence, breaking the union with Sweden. Around the same time, a multi-party system began to take shape in Sweden, which contributed to the establishment of parliamentary government. In 1900, the Liberal Party was formed, and five years later its chairman Karl Staaf headed the country's government. The parliamentary reform of 1909 - a significant expansion of suffrage - was a continuation of the democratic breakthrough.

The crisis in agriculture was overcome thanks to modernization and, in particular, the development of peasant cooperatives, which covered almost the entire Swedish peasantry. However, fluctuations in business activity contributed to the aggravation of the contradictions between labor and capital, which culminated during the general strike of 1909.

However, the principles of parliamentarism had not yet taken root in Swedish political life, which manifested itself in 1914, when King Gustav V managed to achieve the removal of the liberal government.

During World War I, Sweden maintained a policy of neutrality. After the end of the war, a series of democratic reforms expanded the electorate to include almost all adult men and women.

In 1914, the SDRPSH became the leader in the number of seats in the second chamber of the Riksdag, and in 1920 its chairman, Hjalmar Branting, formed a government that remained in power for several months. Throughout the 1920s, no single party could win the majority of votes to effectively rule the country. Despite political instability, the Swedish economy prospered.

In the early 1930s, Sweden was hit by a global economic crisis. Rising unemployment strengthened the position of the Social Democrats, who, led by Per Albin Hansson, came to power in 1932. Since this party did not have a majority in parliament, it had to unite with the Agrarian Party, promising assistance to agriculture in exchange for support for social legislation.

World War II and post-war period

During the war between the USSR and Finland in 1940, Sweden remained neutral, but several thousand Swedish volunteers took part in military operations on the side of Finland. During World War II, the government of the Social Democrat Per Albin Hansson, representing all parties except the communist one, was forced to allow the transit of German troops through Sweden to Norway and Finland. At the same time, Sweden provided assistance to the resistance movement in Denmark and Norway, and the Swedish Red Cross helped rescue many Scandinavian citizens languishing in German concentration camps. In the last months of World War II, Raoul Wallenberg, a representative of one of Sweden's wealthiest families, who worked at the Swedish embassy in Budapest, saved approx. 100 thousand Hungarian Jews from the extermination by the Nazis. Showing extraordinary courage, he issued Swedish passports to the persecuted and found refuge for them under the Swedish flag.

At the end of 1946, Sweden joined the UN with the unanimous support of the country's public. The outbreak of the Cold War was a test for the Swedish policy of neutrality. In 1948-1949 Sweden tried to establish military cooperation with Denmark and Norway. In the 1960s and 1970s, Swedish politicians focused on the country's internal problems. The most important of these was high taxation, since social security required considerable funds. In the late 1970s, a debate began about the deterioration of the environmental situation, especially in connection with the use of nuclear energy. In this discussion, fundamentally different positions were taken by adherents of socialist and non-socialist views. Thus, the Center Party and the Communists advocated an immediate ban on the use of atomic energy, while liberals and moderates supported this industry, and the voices of the Social Democrats were divided.

In the 1968 elections, the Social Democrats won the majority of seats in both chambers of the Riksdag for the first time since 1940. In October 1969, Tage Erlander, prime minister since 1946, was replaced in his post by the young, energetic Olof Palme, who began to pursue a more radical policy. In the 1970 elections, the Social Democrats failed to gain a majority in the reformed unicameral Riksdag, but they continued to rule the country, relying on the support of the Eurocommunist Left Party - the Communists of Sweden, which represented mainly the radical intelligentsia. In 1976, a coalition of centrists, moderates, and liberals won a majority of seats in the Riksdag and formed a government headed by Thorbjørn Feldin, chairman of the Center Party. Then various bourgeois governments were in power in Sweden, until 1982, when the Social Democrats won the elections by a narrow majority, and Olof Palme again became prime minister.

In the early 1980s, political debates centered on such issues as the almost complete cessation of economic growth, the decline in Sweden's competitiveness in the world market, the impact of inflation and budget deficits, and the appearance - for the first time since the 1930s - of significant unemployment (4% in 1982 ). The Palme government, backed by trade unions, published its program for a "third way" between communism and capitalism.

In February 1986, Olof Palme was killed on a street in Stockholm. Ingvar Karlsson, Palme's successor, faced a growing labor movement, scandals, and a rapid economic downturn after 1990.

European integration

In 1990, changes took place in the political life of Sweden associated with the onset of an economic recession (the most severe after the crisis of the 1930s) and the collapse of the communist system in Eastern Europe. Unemployment, usually the lowest among European countries, in 1993 exceeded 7% (another 8% of the population was employed in temporary jobs). In 1991 Sweden applied for EU membership. After voters approved the country's accession to the EU in a referendum in 1994, Sweden became a member of the European Union on January 1, 1995.

After the 1991 elections, a non-socialist four-party government was formed, led by moderate Carl Bildt. However, in 1994 the government of the social democratic minority returned to power under the leadership of Ingvar Karlsson. The latter stayed in this post for a very short time, announcing that he was leaving the political arena. In March 1996, Göran Persson, the former finance minister, became prime minister. Citing the instability of the economy, in 1997 Sweden announced that the country would not join the European Monetary Union and would not switch to a single European currency system. In the late 1990s, there were no signs of an economic recovery, and some of the leading Swedish concerns, including Electrolux, ABB and Ericsson, announced job cuts in 1997. This caused public unrest and affected the election campaign. 1998. The SDRPSH lost almost 30 seats in the Riksdag and was forced to bloc with the Left Party and the Greens to form a coalition government. In 2002, in the last parliamentary elections, the Social Democrats managed to maintain their power. They again formed a coalition government with the Left Party and the Green Party. These small parties were able to influence the government. Thus, they opposed many initiatives on EU issues, in particular the introduction of the euro as a single currency. Göran Persson insisted on holding a referendum, which took place in September 2003. Swedish voters voted against joining the euro area. In the parliamentary elections on September 17, 2006, the center-right alliance, led by the Moderate Coalition Party, won. The Alliance received 48% of the vote. The leader of the Moderate Party, Fredrik Reinfeldt, became prime minister. The alliance's election slogans are tax cuts, cuts in benefits, creation of new jobs, which generally means reforming the Swedish welfare state model. In the elections to the Riksdag in September 2010, for the first time, the center-right bourgeois coalition was elected for a second term, receiving even more votes. Since 1914, the Social Democratic Workers' Party of Sweden has never received such low voter support. For the first time, the ultra-nationalist party "Democrats of Sweden" got into the Riksdag, gaining 5.7% of the vote. The main issues that were discussed during the last election campaign in Sweden were questions about immigration to the country and problems related to immigrants, the fight against the economic downturn, Sweden's position on the issue of integration within the European Union, etc.

ECONOMY OF SWEDEN

Sweden is one of the most developed countries in the world. In terms of industrial output, it is only slightly inferior to Norway, Finland and Denmark combined. Although Sweden does not have a variety of natural resources, it has large reserves of iron ore and hydropower, and in terms of forest resources it is not inferior to Finland. Less than 10% of the country's territory is agricultural land, dominated by small farms.

Northern Sweden (Norrland) - a vast territory located north of the Dalälven River and beyond the Arctic Circle, occupies half of the country's area. Less than 20% of the total population lives there. This is the land of vast coniferous forests and large rivers with cascades of hydroelectric power plants. Almost all industry is concentrated on the plains and plateaus of Central and Southern Sweden.

Economic regions of Sweden

The plains around the lake Mälaren, together with the city of Stockholm, is the most developed industrial area, where printing, clothing and food industries are located. However, the most significant place in the Stockholm area is occupied by the electrical industry, especially the production of household electrical appliances, telephones, radio and television equipment.

To the west of Stockholm lies a chain of important industrial centers. In the north, Gävle and Sandviken stand out with metallurgical plants and the largest sawmills in the country. Immediately west of Stockholm on the banks of the lake. Mälaren is located a number of small towns. The most significant of them are Eskilstuna, a leader in the field of precision machine tool building, and Westeros, the center of the electrical industry, which produces equipment for power lines and hydroelectric power plants. Örebro and Norrköping complete this chain of industrial cities. The latter was the leading center of the country's textile industry in the past.

The next economic region of Sweden began to form in the 19th century. in the valley of the Göta-Elv river, on which a number of hydroelectric power stations were built, which supplied energy to pulp and paper enterprises. The main center of this area is Gothenburg, where the assembly of cars and the production of ball bearings are established. On the northern shore of the lake Vänern is home to pulp and paper mills using the rich local forest resources. Finished products are exported through the ice-free port of Gothenburg.

In southern Sweden, a number of industrial centers stand out on the coast of the Kattegat, including the most important Malmö, as well as Helsingborg and Trelleborg, which have ferry links with mainland Europe. A large shipyard in Malmö builds submarines, and the city has developed sugar, beer, soap and margarine production based on local agricultural resources and the proximity of ports convenient for marketing products.

The plains of southern and central Sweden are not only cities and industries. There are favorable conditions for the development of agriculture, and these territories are called the breadbaskets of the country. However, considerable areas there are occupied by coniferous forests, peat bogs and moorlands. At the southern end of the lake Vättern developed two small industrial centers around the cities of Jönköping and Huskvarna. On the northwestern outskirts of Småland, back in the 18th century. a glass-making enterprise arose, which is still flourishing today. The main centers of this industry - Costa and Orrefors - produce most of the glass produced in the country, as well as fine art glass products that have won recognition on the world market.

To the north of the large lakes of Central Sweden, between the rivers Dalälven and Klarelven, there is the industrial region of Bergslagen, where iron and copper deposits are being developed.

Sparsely populated forest and tundra areas occupy most of Northern Sweden. Rich natural resources are exploited here - ores, timber, hydropower. On the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, most often at the mouths of rivers, there are small centers of industry, for example, Sundsvall at the mouth of the Indalselven river, Hernösand and Kramfors at the mouth of the Ongermanelven river are important centers of the wood processing industry. In these cities, the production of lumber, pulp, paper and cardboard has been established.

In the northernmost counties of Västerbotten and Norrbotten, the main branch of the economy is mining. Rich deposits of copper, lead and zinc are being developed in the Skellefteo area. The iron ore deposits of Lapland are world famous, mainly in the areas of Gällivare and Kiruna. The mined ore is exported by rail to the Norwegian port of Narvik and to the port of Luleå on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, where a large smelter is located.

Swedish property

Most industrial enterprises in Sweden are owned by private individuals, but a considerable number are owned by the state. In the 1960s and 1970s, the share of full or partial state ownership in industry ranged from 10 to 15%. At the end of the 1990s, 250,000 people (i.e. 10% of all employed) worked in the public sector, mainly in the mining, metallurgical, timber processing and shipbuilding industries.

The private ownership of corporations in Sweden is characterized by a rather high degree of concentration compared to other developed countries. In the early 1990s, the Swedish economy was dominated by 14 corporations, accounting for approx. 90% of all industrial production of the country. Three of them covered 2/3 of all income and employment in the private sector. The companies belonging to the Wallenberg concern owned approximately 1/3 of the market value of all Swedish shares.

Sweden has a strong cooperative movement. Consumer and production cooperatives control approximately 20% of all retail trade. The first consumer cooperatives arose at the end of the 19th century. The largest of them, the Cooperative Union, owns supermarkets, travel agencies and factories. It counts approx. 2 million members. The Federation of Swedish Farmers, which includes almost all farmers in the country, is the main production cooperative. He owns dairy farms, meat-packing plants, enterprises for the production of fertilizers and equipment for agriculture. The federation completely controls the marketing of butter, cheese, milk and more than half of the marketing of wool, eggs, grain and meat.

Sweden's gross domestic product

(GDP) of Sweden in 2002 was estimated at $230.7 billion, or $26,000 per capita per year; in 2006 these figures amounted to 383.8 billion and about 42.3 thousand US dollars, respectively. In 1990, Sweden experienced its worst economic recession since the 1930s, and direct investment in equipment, infrastructure, and other funds fell sharply. The share of total income from agriculture decreased from 12% in 1950 to 2% in the mid-1990s, and in 2006 it was 1.4%. The share of all industry accounted for 35% of GDP in 1980, but only 27% in 1995, since for the first time in the modern period, the share of manufacturing industries was less than 20% of GDP. In 2006 this figure was 29%. The share of the entire service sector in 1993 accounted for 71% of GDP, in 2006 - 69.6%.

Inflation rates in Sweden were above the European average. In 1980-1990, consumer prices rose by an average of 7.6% per year, and in 1991 they rose by 9.3%. A decline in production in the 1990s halted price increases, and inflation in 2002 was only 2.2%.

Agriculture in Sweden

In the 20th century the importance of this industry in the Swedish economy has fallen sharply. In 1940, approx. 2 million people, and in the early 1990s - only 43 thousand. In the post-war years, due to the massive outflow of the rural population to the cities, many farms were abandoned, and the area of ​​agricultural land was significantly reduced. In 1960-1975, approx. 400 thousand hectares of arable land, and in 1976-1990 - another 170 thousand hectares. Since many small farms were abandoned after the death of the owners, the government began to stimulate the consolidation of land holdings. As a result, the number of farms with an allotment of up to 5 hectares decreased from 96,000 in 1951 to 15,000 in 1990.

Although in 1992 the share of people employed in agriculture was only 3.2% against 29% in 1940, agricultural production did not decrease, but increased, despite the reduction in the area of ​​cultivated land. Land reclamation, breeding work to introduce plant varieties most suitable for the northern regions, the widespread use of fertilizers, cooperatives for the marketing of agricultural products and the dissemination of agricultural information have contributed to the growth of agricultural productivity. The sharp decline in the number of people employed in this industry was offset by increased mechanization.

As in other Scandinavian countries, Sweden's main agricultural sector is animal husbandry and fodder production. In 1996 there were approx. 1.8 million heads of cattle, including 500 thousand dairy cows. The number of beef cattle has risen sharply in comparison with dairy cattle. In Skåne, pig farming has taken on an important role, supplying products to local bacon meat-packing plants.

3/4 of the cultivated area of ​​the country is used for growing fodder crops, and more than half of it is sown with a highly productive grass mixture of ryegrass, timothy grass and clover. Most of the grass is used for hay, which is used during the 5-7 month stall keeping of livestock in winter. The production of grain crops ranks second in importance in the country's agriculture. The main areas of wheat cultivation are the plains of Central Sweden and Skåne, although spring wheat, under favorable conditions, can even ripen in the Norrland valleys located near the Arctic Circle. Oats are sown on the coastal plains in the western regions of the country. Barley is an important fodder crop in southwestern Skåne. Agriculture in Sweden has significant regional differences. For example, in the south, large farms are very profitable, and in the northern forest regions, smallholders receive additional income from their forest plots, and sometimes, in order to make ends meet, they are forced to work in logging or wood processing enterprises in the winter. In the south of Sweden, where the growing season lasts more than 250 days, peasant farms differ little from those in Denmark and Northern Germany. In Skåne, almost 80% of the land is arable. The share of arable land is reduced to 30% in the lakeside basins of Central Sweden, where the duration of the growing season does not exceed 200 days. Nevertheless, in this area, located near the largest city markets, commercial agriculture has been widely developed. The more northerly parts of the country are dominated by forests, and in Norrland less than 2% of the total area is arable.

Mining industry in Sweden

Iron and copper have been mined in Sweden since ancient times. The exceptionally rich Falun copper mine, located in the Bergslagen region northwest of Lake. Mälaren has been in continuous operation for over 650 years and was completely depleted in the early 1990s. In 1995, Sweden was one of the world's leading suppliers of iron ore, with a production of 13 million tons, 33% less than the previous record annual level. Until the last quarter of the 19th century. mainly the large iron ore deposits of Bergslagen have been exploited, but the rich Kiruna deposit and the smaller Gällivare located in the northern part of Norrland are currently being exploited. These deposits, characterized by a high content of phosphorus in the ore, attracted attention only after the invention in 1878 by S.J. Thomas of a method for converting liquid phosphorous iron into steel. Thanks to the construction in 1892 of the railway from Luleå to the Gällivare mine and its continuation in 1902 through Kiruna to the ice-free Norwegian port of Narvik, the transportation of iron ore from the hinterland of Lapland was established. In the 20th century Most of the Swedish ore was exported through Narvik.

Iron ore is still being mined in Bergslagen, in some mines at depths of more than 610 m. These ores are exceptionally pure, with a phosphorus content of less than 0.3%. Bergslagen supplies most of the raw materials for the Swedish metal industry. From the richest deposit in Grengesberg, the ore is delivered to the smelter in Ukselösund on the Baltic Sea.

Sweden is also a significant copper supplier; ore mined in 1995 contained 83.6 thousand tons of copper. An important copper ore deposit was discovered in the early 1900s in the valley of the river Skellefteelven in Norrland. The main copper mining centers are Kristineberg, Buliden and Adak, with less mining at Bergslagen. Sweden also holds the lead in the supply of zinc to the world market (168 thousand tons in 1995). The Skellefteelven Basin has nickel, lead, silver and gold deposits. There are significant reserves of uranium.

Forestry and timber industry in Sweden

Forests and forest products are as important to Sweden as they are to Finland. Forested areas occupy 47% of the country's territory. Broad-leaved species common to Atlantic Europe are found only in the southernmost counties of Skåne, Halland and Bleking, where they make up approx. 40% of forest stands. The dominant species is beech. Coniferous forests, which are of great economic importance, predominate in Central Sweden and most of Norrland. In the northernmost regions of Norrland and at the upper forest line in the mountains, in the altitudinal layer from 450 to 600 m, pine and spruce forests give way to birch woodlands. The most productive forests are located north of the plains of Central Sweden between the valleys of the Klarelven and Dalelven rivers. Here, pine and spruce grow three times faster than in the harsher climates of northern Norrland.

About 25% of the forest area is owned by the state, church and local communities, 25% is owned by large sawmills and pulp and paper companies. The forests of these companies were acquired mainly during the rapid development of the sparsely populated northern regions of the country at the end of the 19th century. Half of Sweden's forests are owned by small farmers, as well as large landowners (mainly in the southern and central regions of the country).

The volume of annual cuttings increased from 34 million cubic meters in 1950 to 65 million cubic meters in 1971, and in the mid-1990s it was maintained at a level of approx. 60 million cubic meters Among the Scandinavian countries, Sweden's competitor is Finland, where in 1997 the felling volume amounted to 53 million cubic meters. Wood is the most important raw material in Sweden. It is used not only for the production of pulp, paper, fibreboard and a large number of chemical products, but also serves as a fuel and building material. Approximately 250 thousand people are employed in logging, timber transportation and in the timber processing industry. Sawmills are located in small ports on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia, especially at the mouths of the Yungan, Indalselven and Ongermanelven rivers. The port city of Sundsvall has the world's largest concentration of timber processing companies. From sawmills on the northern shore of the lake. Venern export products are transported to the port of Gothenburg.

Since 1920, the pulp industry has become the largest consumer of Swedish timber. Wood is processed into pulp either by grinding (mechanical pulp) or by boiling and dissolving (chemical pulp). About 70% of cellulose is currently produced by the chemical method. The enterprises of this industry are concentrated mainly in the port cities in the south of Norrland, especially around Örnsköldsvik and on the northern shore of the lake. Vänern, where Skughall is the most important center. In 1995 Sweden produced 10 million tons of pulp. The production of sulphate pulp develops most rapidly.

The paper industry is concentrated mainly in Central and Southern Sweden, within reach of the port of Gothenburg and the national market center of Stockholm with its printing industry. In Norrköping and Halst there are large productions for the production of newsprint. Wrapping paper and cardboard are produced in factories in the valley of the river Göta-Elv and on the northern shore of the lake. Venern. Since 1966, the production of newsprint in Sweden has tripled and reached 2.4 million tons in 1995. According to this indicator, the country is in fourth place in the world.

Energy industry in Sweden

Approximately 1/3 of Sweden's energy needs are met by imported energy sources, of which oil is the main one, followed by coal and natural gas. The main local sources of energy are nuclear fuel, hydropower resources, wood. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Swedish government allocated large funds for the development of nuclear energy: in 1992, 12 nuclear power plants operated in the country, and Sweden occupied a leading position in the world in the production of nuclear energy per capita. A referendum held in 1980 overwhelmingly called for the curtailment of this industry by 2010. In 1996, the share of nuclear energy in the country's energy balance reached 47%, and its cost was one of the lowest in the world.

Hydropower has always played an important role in the economic development of the Scandinavian countries. In 1996, its share in Sweden's energy consumption was 34%. For environmental reasons, it is not allowed to build dams on rivers where the flow is still not regulated, as long as other sources of energy are not too expensive. 3/4 of hydropower comes from stations built on the large full-flowing rivers of Norrland, although the main energy consumers are the cities of Central and Southern Sweden. Therefore, the construction of economical power lines (TL) over long distances has become important. In 1936, the first 200 kW transmission line was laid, connecting southern Norrland with the plains of Central Sweden. In 1956, a 400-kW transmission line connected the giant hydroelectric power stations Sturnorrforsen on the Umeelven River and Harspronget on the Luleelven River.

Manufacturing industry in Sweden

In 1995, 761,000 people were employed in this industry, 26% less than in 1980. Almost half of all those employed in industry account for metallurgy and machine building. They are followed by the timber processing, pulp and paper, food, flavoring and chemical industries, which together account for approx. 40% employed.

Metallurgy is one of the main industries in Sweden. It is concentrated mainly in Bergslagen, where in the 16-17 centuries. blast-furnace smelting on high-quality local ores was widely used. At the end of the 19th century hundreds of small metallurgical enterprises in the area were replaced by several large plants with more advanced production technology. Nowadays, steel production in electric furnaces using coking coal has been established there. The largest metallurgical plant is located in Domnarvet. In the middle of the 20th century smelters were built for the first time in the coastal regions of Sweden, which facilitated the delivery of coke and scrap metal, as well as the export of semi-finished products to the engineering enterprises of the port cities of Northern Europe. Steel production increased from 2 million tons in 1957 to 5.9 million tons in 1974. In the 1990s, it was at ca. 5 million tons per year.

Mechanical engineering is the oldest and most developed manufacturing industry in the Scandinavian countries. In Sweden, it accounts for approx. 45% of earnings from exports. It manufactures a wide range of products, including machine tools, precision measuring instruments, power plant equipment, ball bearings, radar equipment, automobiles, cellular communications equipment, fighter jets, and more. Various enterprises of this industry are located on the plains of Central Sweden between Stockholm and Gothenburg, with the largest number of them concentrated around the lake. Mälaren and in the valley of the river Göta-Elv. A large center of mechanical engineering is also located in the southwest of Skåne, in Malmö and other nearby cities.

The most developed sector of the Swedish engineering industry is the automotive industry. The main manufacturers are Volvo and Saab. Over 4/5 of cars, trucks and buses produced in Sweden are exported, with 1/3 of them going to the USA.

For half a century, until the end of the 1970s, Swedish shipbuilding was the world market leader. This industry then experienced a rapid decline, associated with an overproduction of ships (especially tankers) in the world market, two protracted economic crises, and fierce competition from countries with low wages (Korea, Brazil). If in 1975 Swedish shipyards launched ships with a total displacement of 2.5 million registered tons, then in 1982 production was reduced to 300 thousand tons, and in 1990 - to 40 thousand tons.

Transport in Sweden

Domestic transport in Sweden is carried out mainly by road and rail. About half of all goods are transported by trucks, and transportation over short distances predominates. The railroads, which the state began building in 1854, remained the main mode of transport until the 1960s. They accounted for about a third of cargo transportation (mainly over long distances). Ore was transported by rail from the northern deposits to the ports of Narvik and Luleå. The share of water transport accounted for approximately 1/6 of all cargo transportation (mainly construction materials). About 90% of passenger traffic is carried out by cars and buses. In 1996, there was one car for every 2.4 people.

The Swedish merchant fleet in 1980 had a total displacement of less than 4 million gross registered tons, and in 1996 - only 2.1 million, with half of them accounted for by tankers. In terms of import cargo, the port of Gothenburg ranks first, and in terms of export cargo, Luleå ranks first. The ports of Stockholm, Helsingborg, Malmö and Norrköping are of great regional importance.

Foreign trade of Sweden

The Swedish economy is heavily dependent on foreign trade. In 1995, exports and imports of goods and services each accounted for 30% of the country's GDP. The value of exports of goods was estimated at 79.9 billion dollars, and imports - 64.4 billion.

Sweden's exports are dominated by timber products and engineering products. In 1995, machinery and electrical equipment accounted for 31% of export earnings, with television and radio equipment increasing the fastest; lumber, pulp, paper and paperboard accounted for 18% of receipts, transport equipment 15% and chemicals 9%. Top imports (in value terms): machinery and transport equipment (41%), various consumer goods (14%), chemical products (12%) and energy products (6%, mostly oil).

In 1995 the main consumers of Swedish exports were Germany (13%), Great Britain (10%), Norway, USA, Denmark, France and Finland (each 5 to 7%). The main importers were Germany (18%) and the above six countries (each from 6.0 to 9.5%). About 60% of all foreign trade is connected with the EU countries, 12.5% ​​- with the EFTA countries.

Monetary system and banks in Sweden

The main monetary unit is the Swedish krona. It is issued by the State Bank of Sweden, the oldest state-owned bank in the world (founded in 1668). Despite joining the EU, Sweden decided not to immediately join the European Monetary Union and not to switch to the use of the single European currency (ecu).

The investments of the State Investment Bank are aimed at the development and restructuring of industry; the bank may own shares in other companies. Commercial banks do not have the right to hold corporate shares, but they have a great influence on trade and industry. Agricultural credit societies maintain farmers' accounts and provide them with short-term loans. Savings banks provide long-term loans to small savers for the purchase of real estate, the development of agricultural production and small industrial enterprises. In the mid-1990s, there was a wave of mergers of a number of commercial banks in Sweden, and the large Nordbanken concern, merging with the Finnish bank Merita, formed an unusual pan-Scandinavian banking association.

State budget of Sweden

In fiscal year 1995-1996, the Swedish government revenues were $109.4 billion and expenditures were $146.1 billion. Significant budget deficits recurred several times after 1990, which led to an increase in public debt to $306.3 billion ( four times the 1990 level). Prior to the tax cuts that occurred in the early 1990s, government revenues reached 70% of GDP, but transfers to citizens' accounts accounted for almost 2/3 of government spending. In the context of the structural deficit of the state budget in 1995, interest rates were kept at a high level and some tax incentives were canceled. Most of the revenue came from sales tax, social security contributions (primarily employers), and income taxes. The main expenditure items are social security and the payment of interest on the public debt.

Unemployment in Sweden

in 1997 covered 8% of the working-age population of Sweden, and taking into account persons sent for retraining - 13%.

Standard of living in Sweden

At the end of the 20th century The standard of living in Sweden was the highest in the world. Most families had cars. In 1996, there were 31 doctors for every 10,000 inhabitants. The health care system covers all population groups. The prosperity of Swedish society is due to the long neutrality of the country, the modernized and efficient industry and the achievement of agreement between employers, workers and the government on social security issues. The policy of taxation from the 1930s to the early 1990s contributed to the equalization of the incomes of the population. The average income in any of the 24 counties (with the exception of Stockholm) differs little from the average in Sweden.

Lifestyle in Sweden

Most city dwellers live in apartments of four or more rooms in modern houses with central heating. The rent is set by agreement between the tenant and the landlord. Many townspeople own country houses.

Swedes of the older generation are formal in dress and behavior in society, but this is less true of the younger generation. Swedes usually spend their leisure time at home. Cooking is not as diligent as the inhabitants of southern Europe.

Despite the fact that Sweden has established a reputation as a country of sexual freedom, the customs here are about the same as in the rest of the Nordic countries. Sex education is provided in all schools and rates of teenage pregnancy are very low. In 1950-1967 the number of marriages exceeded 7 per 1000 inhabitants. This rate dropped to 5 per 1000 in the 1970s and 1980s and fell to 3.8 per 1000 in 1995. The average age at marriage fell between World War II and the late 1960s and then began to rise, reaching 29 years in 1991. In Sweden, divorce laws are liberal, and in the 1970s and 1980s there was more than one divorce for every two marriages, which is high by European standards. Families are small. Civil marriages are not condemned by society. Half of all children are born out of wedlock.

Religious life in Sweden

Few Swedes attend church regularly. However, in Sweden it is customary to baptize and commune children and get married in a church. Few Swedes enjoy the right granted in 1951 to leave the state church to which they are assigned at birth. The king, who must profess the Lutheran religion, officially heads the church, and the minister of education also deals with religious education. Religious policy is carried out by the Riksdag and the synod. The archbishop of Uppsala is the primate of the church, but his authority does not extend beyond his diocese. The parishioners choose their own pastors, who are paid a salary from income from church lands and a special church tax that even non-members pay. The clergy, in addition to direct church duties, register acts of civil status (births, marriages, deaths). In 1958, the ordination (ordination) of women was introduced, but not all citizens of the country approve of this innovation.

Trade unions in Sweden

Approximately 84% of Swedish workers are unionized. Almost 90% of industrial workers are members of trade unions subordinate to the Central Organization of Trade Unions in Sweden (COPS). In 1996 it had 2.2 million members. The Central Organization of Trade Unions of Employees and the Central Organization of Trade Unions of Persons with Higher Education and Civil Servants cover 3/4 of the listed categories of persons. Employers are organized into the Swedish Employers' Confederation (SEC). Labor relations are regulated on the basis of agreements concluded in 1938 between the TsOPSh and the ShKR. The basic wage system was determined in the course of negotiations between trade unions, employers and the government. This system of "matched wages" has been able to prevent significant labor conflicts in all industries for more than 40 years. However, in an environment of inflation and shrinking sales markets, in May 1980, the largest strike in Swedish history broke out, in which 25% of all workers in the country participated. The mass strikes and lockouts of 1988 and 1990 greatly affected the relationship between workers and employers. In 1991, the government put an end to the centralized regulation of wages and ceased to participate in the relevant negotiations.

In 1972 the government gave trade unions the right to appoint directors of the boards of all corporations with more than 100 employees. According to a law passed in 1977, trade unions have the right to make decisions on many organizational issues.

The cooperative movement in Sweden

An important role in the recent history of Sweden has been played by the cooperative movement, which has become widespread. The network of production and consumer cooperatives developed especially rapidly in the 1930s. The cooperative union in 1992 united apprx. 2 million members.

Status of women in Sweden

The share of women aged 20 to 65 working outside the home was 82% in 1990, which is much higher than in other industrialized countries (for example, in the rest of the Scandinavian countries - approx. 62%). However, in Sweden, women mostly occupy less paid positions than men. The average wages of women in all sectors of the economy in 1990 amounted to 2/3 of the earnings of men. In 1921, women received the right to vote. In 1995, there were 141 women among the deputies of the Riksdag.

Social Security

Sweden has long been regarded as a model welfare state. Even after the economic downturn in the early 1990s, a wide range of social protection measures have been maintained there. At the age of 65, every Swede receives a state old-age pension. These pensions are indexed to changes in the cost of living. Since 1960, additional pensions have been paid at the expense of employers. By 1981, this program covered all pensioners. The state pays an additional seniority pension, the amount of which depends on the length of service and wages. As a result, the total pension is at least 2/3 of the average salary for the 15-year period of receiving maximum salaries. Pensions are also provided to widows and the disabled.

In 1974, the state established a system of general unemployment insurance. Previously, this type of insurance, although it was subsidized mainly by the state, was administered by trade unions. In addition to direct unemployment benefits, considerable funds are spent on training and retraining, as well as on the operation of recruitment agencies and the public employment service.

Employers are required to insure their employees against industrial accidents. General health insurance has been compulsory since 1955. The patient can choose a doctor and must pay for his services, but almost all payments are covered by insurance. In case of temporary incapacity for work, approx. 80% of wages from the first day of absence from work due to illness. Most hospitals are funded by the state or county councils. After the birth of a child, the mother receives an allowance in the amount of 80% of her salary for 18 months.

CULTURE OF SWEDEN

public education

Sweden has an efficient education system. Since 1842 universal compulsory primary education has been introduced. In 1962, a law was passed on compulsory nine-year education for children and adolescents between the ages of 7 and 16. Most of the main nine-year schools are run by local authorities. The number of paid private schools is small. For the first six years, all children receive the same general education. Specialization is introduced only in the last three years of schooling. About 80% of all adolescents, upon reaching the age of 16, continue to study in secondary schools in two- or three-year programs that include social and artistic disciplines; economics and commercial disciplines; technical and scientific disciplines. The two-year programs are primarily professionally oriented, but also include foreign languages ​​and general education subjects. The purpose of the three-year programs is preparation for higher education. There is a four-year technical program, which some students master in three years. Most students, upon reaching the age of 16, receive a monthly government stipend.

There are more than 30 institutions of higher education in Sweden, including 10 universities (seven of which are public). The two oldest universities are in Uppsala (founded in 1477) and Lund (founded in 1666). In 1995, 18,000 students studied at Uppsala University, and 30,000 each at Lund and the capital Stockholm. Initially, Stockholm University was private, but in 1960 it was taken over by the state. The University of Gothenburg, founded as a private university in the 19th century, has 22,000 students, and the Royal University at Umeå in northern Sweden has 13,000. In 1976, universities were organized in Örebro, Växjö, and Karlstad. The University of Linköping became a state university in 1970 and has 11,000 students. The university in Luleå, founded in 1971, has 5,600 students. The country has medical and polytechnic institutes, as well as higher vocational schools. Higher education in the country is free. Adult education is widespread in Sweden. Special courses have been set up at universities, by the Workers' Training Association, and by the People's Cooperative Movement and Temperance Societies. About a hundred Scandinavian folk high schools, supported by county councils and voluntary organizations, are designed to educate young people in informal programs.

Literature and theater

Only a few Swedish writers have won international recognition. Among them is the writer and playwright August Strindberg (1849-1912), who developed realistic traditions in his work. Of contemporary poets, we note Thomas Transtromer. Swedish writers such as Per Lagerkvist (Karlik, 1944), Harry Martinsson (Cape Faruel, 1933), Eyvind Jonsson (Return to Ithaca, 1946) and Wilhelm Muberg (Emigrants, 1949) have gained worldwide fame. Every time a book is borrowed from the Swedish public library, a small fee is collected for it, which is paid into the fund of the author of this book, which can be used by himself or his fellow writers.

The repertoire of Swedish theaters is dominated by plays by foreign authors. The most famous is the Royal Drama Theater in Stockholm, founded in 1787. In addition, there are 20 more theaters in the capital, and every major city in the country also has its own theater, subsidized by the municipality. Traveling theater troupes tour throughout the country.

musical culture

Such masters as Hilding Rusenberg, Karl-Birger Blumdal, Sven-Erik Beck and Ingmar Liedholm made a great contribution to the development of national musical culture. The country's leading orchestra of the Stockholm Philharmonic and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra are very popular. In 1964, a special state structure was created to organize concerts by solo performers throughout the country. Many Swedish singers gained international fame - from Jenny Lind in the 19th century. to Seth Svanholm, Jussi Björling and Birgit Nilsson in relatively recent times. The Swedish Royal Opera, founded in 1773, is considered one of the best in Europe.

Art and architecture

The painter and graphic artist Anders Zorn (1860-1920) became world famous for his masterly rendering of lighting effects in scenes of rural and urban life, as well as in portraits. Modern trends in art are widely represented in the work of such Swedish artists as Lennart Rode and Ulle Bertling. The sculptor Carl Milles (1875-1955) is known for his dynamic decorative compositions and as the founder of the national school. The simplified style developed by the architect Gunnar Asplund (1885-1940) has influenced modern architecture. These trends can be seen most clearly in the design of large shopping centers that have grown up around Stockholm and other cities. The arts and crafts are generously subsidized, especially through the Swedish Craft Association and the Swedish Industrial Design Society. Glassware from the factories in Orrefors, as well as ceramics from Gustavsberg and Röhrstrand, are well known.

Cinema

The golden age of Swedish cinematography came in the early 20th century, when directors such as Maurits Stiller and Viktor Sjöman released classic silent films. After the Second World War, the films of Alf Sjöberg Freken Julius, Ingmar Bergman The Seventh Seal, Strawberry Field, Face, Scenes from Family Life and Arne Suksdorf The Big Adventure won international recognition. In the late 1960s, Bo Wiederberg (Elvira Madigan), Vilgot Sjoman (I'm Curious) and Jørn Donnar opened up new perspectives in the art of cinema. In the 1980s, the world community appreciated the films made by Jan Troll (Emigrants; Flight of the Eagle).

Museums and libraries

The largest museums in Sweden are located in Stockholm. The National Museum is a true treasury of art, and the Scandinavian Museum has large ethnographic collections. The Skansen outdoor museum contains buildings from different parts of the country. Uppsala University has the largest library, in addition, the Royal Library in Stockholm has rich funds. There are large public libraries in all cities of the country, and their branches are often located in rural areas.

Radio and print

Four nationwide companies lead radio and television broadcasting. The transmission of advertisements on radio and television is prohibited. Commercial stations were first allowed in 1990. Revenues come primarily from license fees. There are many newspapers and magazines published in the country. In terms of the circulation of daily newspapers, Sweden occupies one of the first places in the world. The largest daily newspapers are Dagens Nyheter, Svenska Dagbladet, Expressen, Aftonbladet.

Sport

Every fifth inhabitant of Sweden is a member of a sports club. Gymnastics is an important component of physical education in schools. The most popular sport is football, there are 3,200 football teams in the country and competitions are held regularly. Of the winter sports, ice hockey and bandy are the most popular. Skiing is widespread. Government support for all sports comes primarily from the proceeds of the football lottery, which is run throughout the country under government control.

Holidays

National holiday Swedish Flag Day is celebrated to commemorate two historical events - the election of King Gustav I of Sweden on June 6, 1523 and the adoption of the first constitution on June 6, 1809. Sweden loves folk holidays. The celebration of the summer solstice is arranged on the weekend closest to June 23. Lucia Day on December 13 marks the beginning of the Christmas holidays (the tradition of celebrating this day dates back to the Viking Age). At family celebrations, the eldest daughter, dressed in a white dress and with a crown with candles on her head, serves coffee and pastries to family members early in the morning. The most revered holiday is Christmas. On this occasion, all relatives gather, and on Christmas Eve, on the eve of Christmas, after the traditional dinner, they exchange gifts.

POPULATION OF SWEDEN

Demography

Sweden was the first country in the world where a population census was conducted in 1749 (1765 thousand people). In 2004, 8986 thousand inhabitants lived in the country, in 2008 - 9045 thousand. Since the first census in Sweden, the predominance of the female population over the male population has remained, but in recent years the difference has been reduced due to the immigration of foreign workers. In rural areas, the predominance of men remains, but in the cities, where the majority of Swedes live, women are more numerous.

The most densely populated plains are in the south of Central Sweden, in Skåne and along the southern coast. Areas adjacent to Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö are particularly dense. Only 10% of the population lives in four provinces (fien) in the northern half of the country. The most sparsely populated are the inner northern regions and the Småland plateau.

Natural population growth since the 1970s has averaged 0.2-0.3% per year, and in 2004 it was 0.18%, but in 2008 it decreased to 0.16%. Birth and death rates have remained low since the 1930s. Fearing a decline in the population in the 1930s due to low birth rates (an average of 14.5 per 1,000 inhabitants), the government went on to pay benefits to families with many children. In the period from 1940 to 1950 there was a short surge in the birth rate - 18.5 per 1000 inhabitants, which soon began to decline. In the early 1980s, the birth rate did not exceed 12 per 1000 inhabitants, but after a slight rise by 2004 it dropped again to 10.46 per 1000 .. Thanks to the excellent organization of health care in Sweden, infant mortality has decreased from 46 per 1000 newborns in the 1930s to less than 2.77 per 1000 newborns by 2004. Mortality until 2004 is kept at the level of 10-11 people per 1000 inhabitants. Compared to the 1940s, the proportion of people aged 65 and over has more than doubled (respectively 8% and 17.3% in 2004). Life expectancy in 2004 was 78.12 years for men and 82.62 years for women.

Emigration reached significant proportions from 1860 to the First World War. During this time, over a million men, women and children left Sweden and moved mainly to the United States. Since 1930, emigration has been significantly reduced. Between 1955 and 1965, approx. 15 thousand people. The number of emigrants rose to 30,000 a year in the 1970s, but dropped again to 23,000 a year in the 1980s. At the end of World War II, Sweden took in refugees and displaced persons. In the period 1945-1980, immigration reached 45% of the natural increase in the population of Sweden. In 1991, 9% of the population were foreign-born. After 1980, immigration again gained momentum, mainly due to refugees, and in 1990 exceeded 60 thousand people (its peak, 84 thousand, was passed in 1984). These processes gave rise to hostility towards immigrants. In 1994, 508 thousand foreign citizens lived in Sweden, mostly in large cities. The largest groups were represented by Finns (210 thousand), Yugoslavs (70 thousand), Iranians (48 thousand), Norwegians (47 thousand), Danes (41 thousand) and Turks (29 thousand). Foreigners become eligible to vote in local elections after three years of residence in Sweden.

Ethnic composition and languages

The vast majority of Swedes speak Swedish, which belongs to the Germanic language family. English is widely spoken among young people who study it for at least four years in school. The largest of the country's ethnic minorities are the Finns (about 80 thousand people) and the Saami (about 17 thousand people), living in the far north of the country.

Confessional composition

The majority of Swedes (ca. 94% in 1997) belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which has the status of a state church. At birth, all Swedish citizens are assigned to the state church, but formally they have the right to leave it. Other religious associations include the Pentecostal Movement (92.7 thousand in 1997); Swedish Missionary Union (70 thousand); Salvation Army (25.6 thousand) and Baptists (18.5 thousand). Sweden has approx. 164 thousand Catholics, 100 thousand Muslims, 97 thousand Orthodox and 20 thousand Jews. Most of the Orthodox and Jews emigrated from Eastern Europe, and Muslims - from the countries of the Middle East.

Urbanization

Sweden has a high level of urbanization. In 1997 ok. 87% of the population lived in cities. Back in 1940, the share of the urban population was only 38%, and in 1860, i.e. before the start of industrialization - 11%. The increased outflow of the population from the countryside to the cities was accompanied by the depopulation of many areas, especially in the north of the country. Sweden is dominated by small towns. At the end of 1995, only 11 cities had a population of over 100 thousand. There were 711 thousand inhabitants in the capital of the country, Stockholm, and 1,726 thousand in the metropolitan area, allocated as a special administrative unit. Other large cities in Sweden are the large ports and industrial centers of Gothenburg (449 .2 thousand) on the west coast and Malmö (245.7 thousand) in the far south. In the city of Västerås, on the opposite bank of the lake from Stockholm. Mälaren is home to 123.7 thousand people. Other major cities in Central Sweden include the ancient religious and cultural center of Uppsala (183.5 thousand), the center of the textile industry Norrköping (123.8 thousand) and once famous for the production of shoes Örebro (119.6 thousand). In the south of the country, the port of Helsingborg stands out (114.4 thousand inhabitants). The largest city in Northern Sweden, Sundsvall (94.5 thousand), grew in the 19th century. as the center of the timber industry.

GOVERNMENT AND POLICY OF SWEDEN

Political system

From the 17th century Sweden is a constitutional monarchy. Since 1917, the position of the parliament has strengthened. The state system of Sweden is based on four main constitutional laws: the Law on the form of government, the Regulations on the Riksdag, the Law on the succession to the throne and the Law on freedom of the press. The first two laws were revised in 1974 and put into effect in 1975. In fact, this is a new constitution that replaced the constitution of 1809. It defines the nature of the executive, legislative and judicial powers. The succession law, passed in 1810, was supplemented in 1979 with a provision that allows a woman to rule the country. The Freedom of the Press Act 1949 prohibits any form of censorship. These four laws can only be changed by the approval of two successive sessions of the legislature, between which there must be a general election.

The beginning of the current Swedish royal dynasty was laid in 1810 by one of Napoleon's marshals, Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, who ruled from 1818 under the name of Charles XIV Johan. The right to inherit the throne belongs to the representatives of this dynasty, regardless of gender. Formally, the king is the nominal head of government, as well as the head of state. Practically since 1918 the king does not have a decisive influence on the country's politics, and executive power is exercised by the prime minister and other ministers who are responsible to parliament. Under the 1975 constitution, the speaker of parliament, the Riksdag, has the right to appoint the prime minister. Until 1971, Parliament consisted of two chambers with equal rights. The first chamber, numbering 150 deputies, was elected by provincial assemblies and assemblies of representatives of the six largest cities. The second chamber was elected by direct elections and consisted of 233 deputies. Since 1971 the Riksdag has had only one chamber. Its 349 deputies are elected for a term of four years by direct elections on the basis of proportional representation. All Swedish citizens over the age of 18 have the right to vote and can be elected to Parliament. The work of the deputies of the Riksdag is well paid, and the session usually lasts from early October to June. The Riksdag must approve all bills and exercise sole control over taxation. It has a significant influence on politics through 15 standing committees, in which all the main parties of the country are represented. The Riksdag also appoints the heads of the Bank of Sweden. Management of various branches of government is carried out by 13 departments (ministries) headed by government ministers. The departments are small and deal mainly with planning and budgeting, while day-to-day affairs are handled by 50 departments headed by directors general.

local government

Sweden has traditionally developed an influential system of local government. The country is divided into 24 fiefs, which in turn are divided into 286 communities. The city of Stockholm combines the functions of county and community. Both levels are governed by a council, which is elected for a term of four years (until 1994 for three years), with day-to-day affairs carried out by an executive committee. The county governors are appointed by the central government, but their power is conditional. Almost 75% of the county budget is spent on health care; municipalities spend about half of the funds on education and social needs. About 1.1 million people (95% of all civil servants) are employed in local governments, whose budgets account for 25% of GDP. These funds come from income taxes collected in the fiefs and communities, as well as through transfers from the central government.

Political parties

Founded in 1889, the Social Democratic Workers' Party of Sweden (SDPSh) has consistently won more seats in direct elections to the Riksdag since 1914 than any other party in the country. From 1932 to 1976, alone or at the head of coalitions, she was almost constantly in power. From 1946 to 1969 the party chairman and prime minister was Tage Erlander, who was called the architect of the welfare state. After Erlander's resignation in 1969, Olof Palme replaced both posts, who was prime minister until 1976 and again headed the government of the social democratic minority from 1982 until his death in 1986. Then Ingvar Karlsson led the party and government until the election defeat in 1991. He again led a minority government in 1994. The Social Democrats have strong ties with the labor movement (approx. 90% of all workers in the country are united in trade unions) and, thanks to their pragmatic policies, receive support from other parties. In 1991, they won only 38% of the vote in the parliamentary elections, but in 1994 they again received 45%. In the 1998 elections, the Social Democrats lost part of their electorate, gaining only 36.5% of the vote, but stayed in power thanks to a coalition with extreme left parties. In 2002, in the last parliamentary elections, the Social Democrats managed to maintain their power. They again formed a coalition government with the Left Party and the Green Party. These small parties were able to influence the government. Thus, they opposed many initiatives on EU issues, in particular the introduction of the euro as a single currency. Göran Persson insisted on holding a referendum, which took place in September 2003. Swedish voters voted against joining the euro area.

The Moderate Coalition Party (UCP), founded in 1904 by merging various conservative groups, is in favor of the privatization of some state-owned enterprises. It traditionally relied on representatives of big business, but in the early 1990s its electorate expanded. From 1976 to 1981 the UKP participated in non-socialist coalition governments, and its chairman Carl Bildt was Prime Minister of Sweden from 1991-1994. He became the first representative of the UKP to hold this post after 1930. In the period 1979-1994, this party received from 18 to 24% of the vote in elections. In the 1998 elections, 23% of voters voted for it, and it strengthened its position as the main opposition party to the Social Democrats. In the parliamentary elections on September 17, 2006, the center-right alliance, led by the Moderate Coalition Party, won. The Alliance received 48% of the vote. The leader of the Moderate Party, Fredrik Reinfeldt, became prime minister. The alliance's election slogans are tax cuts, cuts in benefits, creation of new jobs, which generally means reforming the Swedish welfare state model.

The Center Party (PC), created in 1913 (before 1957 - the Peasants' Union), represents the interests of the rural population. It was renamed to emphasize its focus on the broader middle class voters. The LC advocates the need to decentralize economic and political power in the country. In some periods, the LC led the movement against nuclear weapons in Sweden. Party chairman Thorbjørn Feldin served as prime minister in non-socialist coalition governments from 1976-1978 and 1979-1982. After 1979, when the LC received 18% of the vote in the parliamentary elections, its rating steadily declined (9% in 1991, 8% in 1994, 6% in 1998). The HRC was still represented in the government formed in 1991, but in the spring of 1995 it had to merge with the SDRPSH.

The People's Party - the Liberals (PNL), founded in 1900, orients itself primarily towards the middle class. It is traditionally associated with moderate movements and small religious associations. The NPL publishes a significant part of the total circulation of the country's periodicals. Its motto is "social responsibility without socialism". The PNL electorate is heavily dependent on the popularity of the larger parties. In 1982, 1985 and 1991, the liberals, who received 6%, 14% and 9% of the vote respectively in the parliamentary elections, were part of the government. In 1994, 7% voted for them, and in 1998 - 5% of voters.

The Left Communist Party (LP) grew out of the Left Social Democratic Party, founded in 1917. This Marxist group became the Communist Party in 1921, and after the latter split in 1967, the LP. The modern name - the Left Party - was adopted in 1990. The party receives the support of some workers in the largest cities of the country and the poorest sections of the rural population in the northern fiefs. The support of the LP was often crucial to the formation of social democratic governments. The LP has a fairly constant electorate - approx. 6% in the 1980s, slightly less in 1991 and again 6% in 1994. In the parliamentary elections of 1998, the PL won 12% of the vote and joined the ruling coalition with the Social Democrats.

As social divisions escalated in Sweden, the prerequisites were created for the formation of new parties. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), founded in 1964, was not represented in the Riksdag until 1985, and in 1991 received 7% of the vote and 26 seats and took part in the formation of a government for the first time. However, in 1994 the CDU lost a significant part of its electorate and received only 15 seats. In 1998 he successfully campaigned and won 42 seats in the Riksdag. The Green Party for the Environment (PEEP) was formed in 1981 to promote environmental interests. In 1988, while other parties were not involved in the environmental movement, she won 20 seats in the Riksdag (6% of the vote). In 1991, this party lost its representation in the Riksdag, but in 1994 it regained 18 seats. In 1998, the "greens" managed to get 4.5% of the vote and 16 seats, which allowed them to join the ruling coalition along with the SDRPSH and the LPK. New Democracy, the most right-wing populist group formed in 1991, won 7% of the vote (25 seats) but did not enter the centrist right-wing government. In 1994, only a little over 1% of voters voted for her.

To win seats in the Riksdag, a party must win 4% of the national vote, or 12% in one constituency. Under a law that came into force in 1966, all political parties in Sweden with at least one seat in the Riksdag and 2% of the vote in the most recent elections receive state subsidies.

Judicial system

Swedish law is based on a national code of laws adopted in 1734, but most of its provisions have since been updated. The entire judicial system is similar to that of the English or American, except that the jury is used only in cases of libel in the press and criminal cases in lower courts. In these cases, the judges are assisted by two to five jurors elected by city or village councils for a term of three years. They can overrule the court's verdict and have a dissenting opinion in sentencing. The country has 97 district courts, 6 courts of appeal and the supreme court. There are also special courts that deal with real estate and rental litigation, as well as administrative cases. A civil solicitor and three other attorneys are appointed by the Riksdag to deal with claims against judges and civil officials, to supervise the operation of the courts and to protect the rights of members of the armed forces. The Minister of Justice decides cases on behalf of the government. The death penalty was abolished in 1921, with the exception of certain crimes committed during the war.

Foreign policy

Sweden is based on strict neutrality and non-alignment with any military blocs. Sweden has played an important role in the activities of many international organizations, especially the UN. Swedish troops have taken part in UN-sponsored operations in Africa, the Middle East and East Asia. Sweden maintains the closest ties with other Scandinavian countries through the Nordic Council. Sweden is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Council of Europe. From the very beginning it became a member of the European Free Trade Association. After approval in a national referendum in 1994, Sweden joined the European Union in 1995. For a long time, Sweden paid great attention to relations with the new states of Africa and Asia, annually allocating 1% of national income for their development. Since 1991, the amount of this assistance has been reduced. The Swedish government expressed its readiness to abandon the policy of neutrality in connection with plans for the integration of Europe.

Armed forces

The policy of strict neutrality predetermined a high level of combat readiness in Sweden, but due to the end of the Cold War in the 1990s, the armed forces of this country were reduced. In 1997, there were a little over 53 thousand military personnel and approx. 570 thousand reserve soldiers. According to the law on military service, the draft age is 18 years, the term of active military service depends on the type of troops, but lasts at least 7.5 months. All males under the age of 47 must participate in military training every four years. The annual call is approx. 35 thousand people, mostly in the ground forces. The professional staff consists of 8.7 thousand officers and privates (less than half of the composition during the Cold War). The navy consists of small, maneuverable vessels, including submarines, missile carriers, torpedo boats, and minesweepers. The Air Force has approx. 400 combat units. The country's military budget in 1995 was 2.5% of GDP.

NATURE SWEDEN

terrain

On the territory of Sweden, two large natural regions can be distinguished - northern and southern. Within the more elevated Northern Sweden, three vertical belts are distinguished: the upper one, which includes the eastern periphery of the Scandinavian Highlands, replete with lakes; middle, covering the Norrland Plateau with a cover of moraine deposits and peat bogs; lower - with a predominance of marine sediments on the plains along the western coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. Within the southern part of the country stand out: the plains of Central Sweden, the Småland plateau and the plains of the Skåne peninsula.

Northern Sweden

The eastern slopes of the Scandinavian Highlands are crossed by numerous wide, deep valleys that contain elongated narrow lakes. In the interfluves, large areas are occupied by swamps. In some valleys there are significant areas of fertile soils formed on fine-grained sands and loams; they are mainly used for grazing. Farming in the valleys is possible up to about 750 m above sea level.

The Norrland Plateau is characterized by a flattened relief with extensive lowland and raised bogs interspersed with rocky ridges of moraines. The predominant part of the forest resources for which Sweden is so famous is concentrated here. The forest stands are dominated by pine and spruce. The width of the forest belt ranges from 160 to 240 km, and its submeridional length exceeds 950 km. This monotonous landscape on the slopes of southern exposure is interrupted by a few farms. In the southern part of the belt, where the climate is milder, there are more farms. The main ore deposits of Sweden are also located there.

During the period of accumulation of sands and clays in areas located east of the Norrland Plateau, the sea level was 135-180 m higher than at present. Then a belt of coastal plains with a width of 80 to 160 km was formed here. Many rivers flowing from the Scandinavian highlands cross these plains, forming deep canyons, famous for their picturesqueness.

Northern Sweden has experienced relatively little human influence and is rather sparsely populated.

Southern Sweden

The plains of Central Sweden, composed mainly of marine sediments, are characterized by a leveled relief and fertile soils. It is dominated by arable land suitable for machine processing and pastures, although in some places massifs of highly productive forests have been preserved. In the same area there are four large lakes - Vänern, Vättern, Elmaren and Mälaren, connected by rivers and canals into a single water system.

The Småland Plateau, located south of the plains of Central Sweden, is similar in terms of relief and vegetation to the belt of moraines and peat bogs of Northern Sweden. However, due to the milder climate, Småland is more favorable for human life. The surface is mainly composed of moraines with a predominance of coarse-grained sand and pebble fractions. The soils here are of little use for agriculture, but pine and spruce forests grow on them. Significant areas are occupied by peat bogs.

The plains of Skåne, the southernmost and very picturesque part of Sweden, are almost completely plowed up. The soils here are very fertile, easy to cultivate and give high yields. The plains are intersected by low rocky ridges, stretched from the northwest to the southeast. In the past, the plains were covered with dense forests of maple, beech, oak, ash and other broad-leaved species, which were reduced by man.

Climate

Since the territory of Sweden has a significant extent in the submeridional direction, it is much colder in the north of the country and the growing season is shorter than in the south. Accordingly, the length of day and night also differs. However, in general, Sweden has a higher frequency of sunny and dry weather than many other countries in Northwest Europe, especially in winter. Despite the fact that 15% of the country is located beyond the Arctic Circle, and all of it is located north of 55 ° N, due to the influence of winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean, the climate is rather mild. Such climatic conditions are favorable for the development of forests, comfortable living for people and more productive agriculture than in continental regions located at the same latitudes. Throughout Sweden, winters are long and summers are short.

In Lund in the south of Sweden, the average January temperature is 0.8 ° C, July 16.4 ° C, and the average annual temperature is 7.2 ° C. In Karesuando in the north of the country, the corresponding figures are -14.5 ° C, 13.1 ° C and -2.8 ° C. Snow falls annually throughout Sweden, but the snow cover in Skåne lasts only 47 days, while in Karesuando - 170-190 days. The ice cover on the lakes lasts on average 115 days in the south of the country, 150 days in the central regions and at least 200 days in the north. Off the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, freezing begins approximately in mid-November and lasts until the end of May. Fogs are common in the northern part of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia.

The average annual rainfall ranges from 460 mm on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea and the far north of the country to 710 mm on the west coast of southern Sweden. In the northern regions it is 460-510 mm, in the central regions it is 560 mm, and in the southern regions it is slightly more than 580 mm. The greatest amount of precipitation falls at the end of summer (in some places the second maximum is expressed in October), the least - from February to April. The number of days with storm winds varies from 20 per year on the western coast to 8-2 on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia.

Water resources

Numerous rivers in Sweden, among which there is not one very large one, form a dense network and are of great economic importance. Fast-flowing rivers are widely used for energy production. Timber rafting is carried out along many rivers. The largest lakes - Vänern (5545 sq. km), Vättern (1898 sq. km), Mälaren (1140 sq. km) and Elmaren (479 sq. km) - are navigable and are an important transport system of the country, cargo transportation is carried out on them. Numerous narrow elongated "finger-shaped" lakes in the mountains of Sweden serve mainly for timber rafting. Lake is distinguished by exceptional picturesqueness. Siljan, located in the historical center of the Swedish state.

Channels

Of greatest importance is the Göta Canal, which connects the country's largest lakes, Vänern and Vättern. Thanks to this channel, communication is carried out between important industrial centers - Stockholm (in the east), Gothenburg (on the southwestern coast), Jönköping (at the southern tip of Lake Vättern) and many other cities of Central Sweden. Other major canals in Sweden are Elmaren, Stromsholm, Trollhättan (laid around the waterfalls on the Göta-Elv river) and Södertälje (one of the first in the country, still in operation).

Vegetable world

According to the nature of natural vegetation in Sweden, five main regions are distinguished, confined to certain latitudinal zones: 1) the alpine region, uniting the northernmost and most elevated areas, with a predominance of colorful short grasses and dwarf forms of shrubs; 2) an area of ​​birch crooked forests, where squat trees with strongly twisted trunks grow - mainly birch, less often aspen and mountain ash; 3) the northern region of coniferous forests (the largest in the country) - with a predominance of pine and spruce; 4) the southern region of coniferous forests (largely reduced); in the surviving massifs, oak, ash, elm, linden, maple and other broad-leaved species are mixed with coniferous species; 5) area of ​​beech forests (almost not preserved); in these forests, along with beech, there are oak, alder and, in some places, pine. In addition, azonal vegetation is widespread. Lush meadow vegetation grows around the lakes, and swamps with specific flora are common in places. On the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea, halophytic communities (plants growing on saline soils) are common.

Animal world

In Sweden, there are such forest dwellers as elk, brown bear, wolverine, lynx, fox, marten, squirrel, white hare. The American mink and muskrat were introduced from North America several decades ago for breeding in fur farms, but some individuals escaped and formed quite viable populations in nature, which quickly spread throughout the country (excluding some islands and the far north) and displaced a number of local animal species from their ecological niches. Wild reindeer have been preserved in the north of Sweden. Ducks, geese, swans, gulls, terns and other birds nest on the shores of the seas and lakes. In the rivers there are salmon, trout, perch, in the north - grayling.

SIGHTS IN SWEDEN

The main sights of Sweden, of course, can be seen in Stockholm - one of the most beautiful capitals of Northern Europe. Stockholm is called the "Venice of the North", as a dozen large and small islands connected by bridges are located within the city. Stockholm is the residence of the king and a major trading port in the Baltic.

The legendary northern region - Lapland, belongs to Finland, Norway, Russia (in the west of the Kola Peninsula) and Sweden. The nature of Lapland is not only forests and snow-covered plains.

There are also mountains in Lapland - for example, Kebnekaise, the highest point in Sweden, 2123 meters above sea level, and wayward rivers with icy water flowing in the land of Santa Claus.

Forest greenery can be found even close to the Arctic Circle, near Kiruna - one of the most remote cities in the Swedish kingdom. The influence of the warm Gulf Stream ocean current is such that even 120 kilometers beyond the Arctic Circle, a nature lover is met not by mosses and stunted tundra vegetation, but by mixed forests rich in game.

In Europe, there is little pristine nature left, as on the island of Thorn, whose bizarre coastline is formed by countless fjords. The famous writer Astrid Lindgren said about this island: "A country in which light and laughing, gloomy and serious miraculously mixed with each other, like in a fairy tale."

In ancient times, the territory of Sweden was inhabited by Germanic tribes. In con. 8th-11th centuries The Swedes participated in the campaigns of the Vikings. In the 11th century created a unified kingdom of Sweden. In the 12th-14th centuries. the Swedes conquered Finland (as part of Sweden until 1809). The unification in 1397 of Sweden with Denmark and Norway (Kalmar Union) led to the subjugation of Sweden by Denmark, from which Sweden was finally freed in 1523 (under Gustav I Vasa). In the 30s. 16th century carried out the Lutheran Reformation. From Ser. 16th century and especially in the 17th century. (under Gustav II Adolf) Sweden waged wars for dominance in the Baltic Sea (participation in the Livonian War of 1558-83, in the intervention in the Russian state in the early 17th century, in the Thirty Years' War of 1618-48, in wars with Poland, Denmark, Russia in 2nd half of the 17th century).

Invasion of Charles XII into Russia during the Northern War of 1700-21. ended with the defeat of the Swedish army; Sweden has lost numerous territories. In the beginning. 19th century Sweden participated in the Napoleonic Wars on the side of the anti-French coalition. According to one of the Kiel Peace Treaties of 1814, Norway was included in Sweden (the union existed until 1905). In 1809 democratic reforms were carried out and a constitution was adopted. In the First and Second World Wars, Sweden declared neutrality.

After World War II, foreign policy follows the principle of non-participation in military-political blocs. In 1932-76, 1982-91 and since 1994, the Social Democrats (Social Democratic Labor Party, founded in 1889) have been in power, based on the construction of the "Swedish model" of socialism, that is, a socially oriented state. At the same time, some of the most high-profile political assassinations in the world in recent decades have taken place in Sweden: Olof Palme was killed in 1986 and Foreign Minister Anne Lind was killed on September 10, 2003. Sweden has been a member of the European Union since 1995, but is not yet part of the euro area.

In the 20th century, Sweden experienced what is often called the "economic miracle". In just a few decades, a poor agrarian country has become one of the richest and most highly developed industrial powers. The basis of this unprecedented development was the huge natural wealth of northern Sweden - timber, ore and hydroelectric resources - combined with a number of revolutionary Swedish inventions and their further development and operation, such as the steam turbine, ball bearing, AGA gas beacons, telephone, milk separator , safety match, controllable pitch propeller, tetrapack and many more. Even to this day, the industry, created by a technical genius, remains the core of the Swedish national economy.

Due to the narrowness of the domestic market, large Swedish companies already at an early stage had to focus on opening up other markets and exports. In many cases, this early globalization is thought to have given Swedish companies an advantage in international competition. As a result, Sweden today ranks extremely high in the number of large multinational corporations and well-known brands in proportion to its population: Volvo, Saab, Erickson, AstraZeneca, Electrolux, Ikea, Hennes and Maurits, Hasselblad, to name but a few.

Although raw materials and refined raw materials make up a significant part of Swedish exports, the future of the Swedish economy lies predominantly in knowledge-intensive industries. In this, Sweden can take advantage of its advanced technological development, developed infrastructure and the high general level of education of the population. These high-tech industries include information technology and biomedicine, fields in which Sweden has long been a world leader.

In addition to them, today the third Swedish industry of the future is increasingly referred to as the "experience industry": a new collective concept denoting such related creative industries as design, music, fashion, art industry, gastronomy, media industries, advertising, tourism - areas in which Within a decade, Sweden experienced a revolution that captured the attention of the whole world and brought the country significant export earnings. Currently, Sweden is consistently among the 20 most developed countries in the world, and in terms of quality of life in the top ten. GNP per capita 26,800 (2003). It produces approximately 1% of world production, despite the fact that the population is only 0.15% of the world. Industry is developing on the basis of private capital (90% of enterprises). At the same time, it is precisely large and very large enterprises that are characteristic, the 20 largest of them employ 35% of all workers and employees.

Most industrial enterprises in Sweden are owned by private individuals, but a considerable number are owned by the state. In the 1960s and 1970s, the share of full or partial state ownership in industry ranged from 10 to 15%. At the end of the 1990s, 250,000 people (i.e. 10% of all employed) worked in the public sector, mainly in the mining, metallurgical, timber processing and shipbuilding industries.

The private ownership of corporations in Sweden is characterized by a rather high degree of concentration compared to other developed countries. In the early 1990s, the Swedish economy was dominated by 14 corporations, accounting for approx. 90% of all industrial production of the country. Three of them covered 2/3 of all income and employment in the private sector. The companies belonging to the Wallenberg concern owned approximately 1/3 of the market value of all Swedish shares.

Statistical indicators of Sweden
(as of 2012)

Sweden has a strong cooperative movement. Consumer and production cooperatives control approximately 20% of all retail trade. The first consumer cooperatives arose at the end of the 19th century. The largest of them, the Cooperative Union, owns supermarkets, travel agencies and factories. It counts approx. 2 million members. The Federation of Swedish Farmers, which includes almost all farmers in the country, is the main production cooperative. He owns dairy farms, meat-packing plants, enterprises for the production of fertilizers and equipment for agriculture. The federation completely controls the marketing of butter, cheese, milk and more than half of the marketing of wool, eggs, grain and meat.

Swedish industry

The share of industry in Sweden's GNP is 29%. Working in industry - 20% of the total. The leading industries are ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, various mechanical engineering: shipbuilding, auto- and aircraft building, electrical engineering and radio electronics (Electrolux company); woodworking and pulp and paper industry for export; chemical, textile, food (mainly dairy and meat) industries.

Mining industry. Iron and copper have been mined in Sweden since ancient times. The exceptionally rich Falun copper mine, located in the Bergslagen region northwest of Lake. Mälaren has been in continuous operation for over 650 years and was completely depleted in the early 1990s. In 1995, Sweden was one of the world's leading suppliers of iron ore, with a production of 13 million tons, 33% less than the previous record annual level. Until the last quarter of the 19th century. mainly the large iron ore deposits of Bergslagen have been exploited, but the rich Kiruna deposit and the smaller Gällivare located in the northern part of Norrland are currently being exploited. These deposits, characterized by a high content of phosphorus in the ore, attracted attention only after the invention in 1878 by S.J. Thomas of a method for converting liquid phosphorous iron into steel. Thanks to the construction in 1892 of the railway from Luleå to the Gällivare mine and its continuation in 1902 through Kiruna to the ice-free Norwegian port of Narvik, the transportation of iron ore from the hinterland of Lapland was established. In the 20th century Most of the Swedish ore was exported through Narvik.

Iron ore is still being mined in Bergslagen, in some mines at depths of more than 610 m. These ores are exceptionally pure, with a phosphorus content of less than 0.3%. Bergslagen supplies most of the raw materials for the Swedish metal industry. From the richest deposit in Grengesberg, the ore is delivered to the smelter in Ukselösund on the Baltic Sea.

Sweden is also a significant copper supplier; ore mined in 1995 contained 83.6 thousand tons of copper. An important copper ore deposit was discovered in the early 1900s in the valley of the river Skellefteelven in Norrland. The main centers of copper mining are Kristineberg, Bouliden and Adak, less is mined in Bergslagen. Sweden also holds the lead in the supply of zinc to the world market (168 thousand tons in 1995). The Skellefteelven Basin has nickel, lead, silver and gold deposits. There are significant reserves of uranium.

Forestry and timber industry. Forests and forest products are as important to Sweden as they are to Finland. Forested areas occupy 47% of the country's territory. Broad-leaved species common to Atlantic Europe are found only in the southernmost counties of Skåne, Halland and Bleking, where they make up approx. 40% of forest stands. The dominant species is beech. Coniferous forests, which are of great economic importance, predominate in Central Sweden and most of Norrland. In the northernmost regions of Norrland and at the upper forest line in the mountains, in the altitudinal layer from 450 to 600 m, pine and spruce forests give way to birch woodlands. The most productive forests are located north of the plains of Central Sweden between the valleys of the Klarelven and Dalelven rivers. Here, pine and spruce grow three times faster than in the harsher climates of northern Norrland.

About 25% of the forest area is owned by the state, church and local communities, 25% is owned by large sawmills and pulp and paper companies. The forests of these companies were acquired mainly during the rapid development of the sparsely populated northern regions of the country at the end of the 19th century. Half of Sweden's forests are owned by small farmers, as well as large landowners (mainly in the southern and central regions of the country).

The volume of annual cuttings increased from 34 million cubic meters in 1950 to 65 million cubic meters in 1971, and in the mid-1990s it was maintained at a level of approx. 60 million cubic meters Among the Scandinavian countries, Sweden's competitor is Finland, where in 1997 the felling volume amounted to 53 million cubic meters.

Wood is the most important raw material in Sweden. It is used not only for the production of pulp, paper, fibreboard and a large number of chemical products, but also serves as a fuel and building material. Approximately 250 thousand people are employed in logging, timber transportation and in the timber processing industry. Sawmills are located in small ports on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia, especially at the mouths of the Yungan, Indalselven and Ongermanelven rivers. The port city of Sundsvall has the world's largest concentration of timber processing companies. From sawmills on the northern shore of the lake. Venern export products are transported to the port of Gothenburg.

Since 1920, the pulp industry has been the biggest consumer of Swedish timber. Wood is processed into pulp either by grinding (mechanical pulp) or by boiling and dissolving (chemical pulp). About 70% of cellulose is currently produced by the chemical method. The enterprises of this industry are concentrated mainly in the port cities in the south of Norrland, especially around Örnsköldsvik and on the northern shore of the lake. Vänern, where Skughall is the most important center. In 1995 Sweden produced 10 million tons of pulp. The production of sulphate pulp develops most rapidly.

The paper industry is concentrated mainly in Central and Southern Sweden, within reach of the port of Gothenburg and the national market center of Stockholm with its printing industry. In Norrköping and Halst there are large productions for the production of newsprint. Wrapping paper and cardboard are produced in factories in the valley of the river Göta-Elv and on the northern shore of the lake. Venern. Since 1966, the production of newsprint in Sweden has tripled and reached 2.4 million tons in 1995. According to this indicator, the country is in fourth place in the world.

Manufacturing industry. In 1995, 761,000 people were employed in this industry, 26% less than in 1980. Almost half of all those employed in industry account for metallurgy and machine building. They are followed by the timber processing, pulp and paper, food, flavoring and chemical industries, which together account for approx. 40% employed.

Metallurgy is one of the main industries in Sweden. It is concentrated mainly in Bergslagen, where in the 16-17 centuries. blast-furnace smelting on high-quality local ores was widely used. At the end of the 19th century hundreds of small metallurgical enterprises in the area were replaced by several large plants with more advanced production technology. Nowadays, steel production in electric furnaces using coking coal has been established there. The largest metallurgical plant is located in Domnarvet. In the middle of the 20th century smelters were built for the first time in the coastal regions of Sweden, which facilitated the delivery of coke and scrap metal, as well as the export of semi-finished products to the engineering enterprises of the port cities of Northern Europe. Steel production increased from 2 million tons in 1957 to 5.9 million tons in 1974. In the 1990s, it was at ca. 5 million tons per year.

Mechanical engineering is the oldest and most developed manufacturing industry in the Scandinavian countries. In Sweden, it accounts for approx. 45% of earnings from exports. It manufactures a wide range of products, including machine tools, precision measuring instruments, power plant equipment, ball bearings, radar equipment, automobiles, cellular communications equipment, fighter jets, and more. Various enterprises of this industry are located on the plains of Central Sweden between Stockholm and Gothenburg, with the largest number of them concentrated around the lake. Mälaren and in the valley of the river Göta-Elv. A large center of mechanical engineering is also located in the southwest of Skåne, in Malmö and other nearby cities.

The most developed sector of the Swedish engineering industry is the automotive industry. The main manufacturers are Volvo and Saab. Over 4/5 of cars, trucks and buses produced in Sweden are exported, with 1/3 of them going to the USA.

For half a century, until the end of the 1970s, Swedish shipbuilding was the world market leader. This industry then experienced a rapid decline, associated with an overproduction of ships (especially tankers) in the world market, two protracted economic crises, and fierce competition from countries with low wages (Korea, Brazil). If in 1975 Swedish shipyards launched ships with a total displacement of 2.5 million registered tons, then in 1982 production was reduced to 300 thousand tons, and in 1990 to 40 thousand tons.

Energy industry in Sweden

Approximately 1/3 of Sweden's energy needs are met by imported energy sources, of which oil is the main one, followed by coal and natural gas. The main local energy sources are nuclear fuel, hydropower resources, wood. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Swedish government allocated large funds for the development of nuclear energy: in 1992, 12 nuclear power plants operated in the country, and Sweden occupied a leading position in the world in the production of nuclear energy per capita. A referendum held in 1980 overwhelmingly called for the curtailment of this industry by 2010. In 1996, the share of nuclear energy in the country's energy balance reached 47%, and its cost was one of the lowest in the world.

Hydropower has always played an important role in the economic development of the Scandinavian countries. In 1996, its share in Sweden's energy consumption was 34%. For environmental reasons, it is not allowed to build dams on rivers where the flow is still not regulated, as long as other sources of energy are not too expensive. 3/4 of hydropower comes from stations built on the large full-flowing rivers of Norrland, although the main energy consumers are the cities of Central and Southern Sweden. Therefore, the construction of economical power lines (TL) over long distances has become important. In 1936, the first 200 kW transmission line was laid, connecting southern Norrland with the plains of Central Sweden. In 1956, a 400-kW transmission line connected the giant hydroelectric power stations Sturnorrforsen on the Umeelven River and Harspronget on the Luleelven River.

Transport in Sweden

Domestic transport in Sweden is carried out mainly by road and rail. About half of all goods are transported by trucks, and transportation over short distances predominates. The railroads, which the state began building in 1854, remained the main mode of transport until the 1960s. They accounted for about a third of cargo transportation (mainly over long distances). Ore was transported by rail from the northern deposits to the ports of Narvik and Luleå. The share of water transport accounted for approximately 1/6 of all cargo transportation (mainly construction materials). About 90% of passenger traffic is carried out by cars and buses. In 1996, there was one car for every 2.4 people.

The Swedish merchant fleet in 1980 had a total displacement of less than 4 million gross registered tons, and in 1996 only 2.1 million, half of which were tankers. In terms of import cargo, the port of Gothenburg ranks first, and in terms of export cargo, Luleå ranks first. The ports of Stockholm, Helsingborg, Malmö and Norrköping are of great regional importance.

Agriculture in Sweden

Agriculture employs 3% of the population, but thanks to high labor productivity, Sweden provides itself with food by 80%. Main branches: animal husbandry of meat and dairy direction. In crop production - the production of fodder (3/4 of the cultivated area), grain (barley, oats, wheat), sugar beets, potatoes. Most farms are small family farms.

In the 20th century the importance of this industry in the Swedish economy has fallen sharply. In 1940, approx. 2 million people, and in the early 1990s - only 43 thousand. In the post-war years, due to the massive outflow of the rural population to the cities, many farms were abandoned, and the area of ​​agricultural land was significantly reduced. In 1960–1975, approx. 400 thousand hectares of arable land, and in 1976-1990. - another 170 thousand hectares. Since many small farms were abandoned after the death of the owners, the government began to stimulate the consolidation of land holdings. As a result, the number of farms with an allotment of up to 5 hectares decreased from 96,000 in 1951 to 15,000 in 1990.

Although in 1992 the share of people employed in agriculture was only 3.2% compared to 29% in 1940, agricultural production has not decreased, but increased, despite the reduction in the area of ​​cultivated land. Land reclamation, breeding work to introduce plant varieties most suitable for the northern regions, the widespread use of fertilizers, cooperatives for the marketing of agricultural products and the dissemination of agricultural information have contributed to the growth of agricultural productivity. The sharp decline in the number of people employed in this industry was offset by increased mechanization.

As in other Scandinavian countries, the main agricultural sector in Sweden is livestock and feed production. In 1996, Sweden had approx. 1.8 million heads of cattle, including 500 thousand dairy cows. The number of beef cattle has risen sharply in comparison with dairy cattle. In Skåne, pig farming has taken on an important role, supplying products to local bacon meat-packing plants.

3/4 of the cultivated area of ​​the country is used for growing fodder crops, and more than half of it is sown with a highly productive grass mixture of ryegrass, timothy grass and clover. Most of the grass is used for hay, which is used during the 5–7-month stall keeping of livestock in winter. The production of grain crops ranks second in importance in the country's agriculture. The main areas of wheat cultivation are the plains of Central Sweden and Skåne, although spring wheat can, under favorable conditions, even ripen in the Norrland valleys located near the Arctic Circle. Oats are sown on the coastal plains in the western regions of the country. Barley is an important fodder crop in southwestern Skåne.

Agriculture in Sweden has significant regional differences. For example, in the south, large farms are very profitable, and in the northern forest regions, smallholders receive additional income from their forest plots, and sometimes, in order to make ends meet, they are forced to work in logging or wood processing enterprises in the winter. In the south of Sweden, where the growing season lasts more than 250 days, peasant farms differ little from those in Denmark and Northern Germany. In Skåne, almost 80% of the land is arable. The share of arable land is reduced to 30% in the lakeside basins of Central Sweden, where the duration of the growing season does not exceed 200 days. Nevertheless, in this area, located near the largest city markets, commercial agriculture has been widely developed. The more northerly parts of the country are dominated by forests, and in Norrland less than 2% of the total area is arable.

Monetary system and banks in Sweden

The main currency is the Swedish krona. It is issued by the State Bank of Sweden, the oldest state-owned bank in the world (founded in 1668). Despite joining the EU, Sweden decided not to immediately join the European Monetary Union and not to switch to the use of the single European currency (ecu).

The investments of the State Investment Bank are aimed at the development and restructuring of industry; the bank may own shares in other companies. Commercial banks do not have the right to hold corporate shares, but they have a great influence on trade and industry. Agricultural credit societies maintain farmers' accounts and provide them with short-term loans. Savings banks provide long-term loans to small savers for the purchase of real estate, the development of agricultural production and small industrial enterprises. In the mid-1990s, there was a wave of mergers of a number of commercial banks in Sweden, and the large Nordbanken concern, merging with the Finnish bank Merita, formed an unusual pan-Scandinavian banking association.

International trade

Sweden is a country significantly integrated into the world economy. In terms of foreign trade turnover, Sweden ranks 10th among the developed capitalist countries. Exports are dominated by: products of mechanical engineering and metalworking (49% by value), woodworking and pulp and paper industries (20%), metallurgy (8%). Main import items: machinery and equipment (36%), fuel (18%), chemical products (8%), metals (7%). The geographical direction of Sweden's foreign trade testifies to the strong economic, trade and political attachment of this country to the states of the European Union.

The main consumers of Swedish exports are Germany, Great Britain, Norway, USA, Denmark, France and Finland. The main importers were Germany and the above six countries. About 60% of all foreign trade is connected with the EU countries, 12.5% ​​- with the EFTA countries.