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| Capital city: |
Stockholm |
| Surface area: |
450,000 sq km |
| Population: |
9.2 million |
| Official language(s): |
Swedish |
| Head of State: |
HM King Carl XVI Gustaf |
| Head of Government: |
Prime Minister Mr Fredrik Reinfeldt |
| Australian exports to Sweden: |
A$629 million |
| Australian imports from Sweden: |
A$2,599million |
| Sweden's principal export destinations: |
Germany, Norway, Denmark |
| Sweden's principal import sources: |
Germany, Denmark, Norway | (Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet) |
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The Swedish economy is arguably stronger now than it has been since the late 1960s. It is experiencing a phase of strong and rapidly increasing employment, at the same time as recording the second lowest inflation in the European Union after the UK, and strong current account and budget surpluses.
Key economic indicators and statistics for 2008:
- GDP – US$359.1billion
- GDP per capita – US$38,960
- Real GDP growth – -4.3 per cent
- Inflation – -0.2 per cent
(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet) |
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Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and has had a parliamentary system of government since 1719. The Social Democratic Party has long been the natural governing party of Sweden and has held power for all but nine of the past 60 years. Female representation in Parliament is around 50 per cent, largely a result of affirmative action measures by individual parties. There are 20 ministers in the current Cabinet with 11 women and nine men. |
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Trade relations and statistics
Sweden is a full member of the European Union but not yet not a member of the European Monetary Union (EMU). A referendum will be held in Sweden in the future regarding EMU membership.
Major Australian exports to Sweden (2007-08):
- Coal – A$395 million
- Alcoholic beverages – A$37 million
- Crude petroleum – A$32 million
- Internal combustion piston engines – A$25 million
Major Australian imports from Sweden (2007-08):
- Medicaments (including veterinary) – A$408 million
- Civil engineering equipment and parts – A$181 million
- Passenger motor vehicles – A$159 million
- Vehicle parts and accessories – A$142 million
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Country economic fact sheet) |
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