Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a highly skilled labor force. In September 2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for vast majority of industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for about 50% of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for little more than 1% of GDP and of employment. Until 2008, Sweden was in the midst of a sustained economic upswing, boosted by increased domestic demand and strong exports. This, and robust finances, offered the center-right government considerable scope to implement its reform program aimed at increasing employment, reducing welfare dependence, and streamlining the state's role in the economy. Despite strong finances and underlying fundamentals, the Swedish economy slid into recession in the third quarter of 2008 and the contraction continued in 2009 as deteriorating global conditions reduced export demand and consumption. Strong exports of commodities and a return to profitability by Sweden's banking sector drove a rebound in 2010, but growth slipped in 2013, as a result of continued economic weakness in the EU - Sweden’s main export market.
$393.8 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$390.4 billion (2012 est.)
$386.7 billion (2011 est.)
0.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
1% (2012 est.)
2.9% (2011 est.)
$40,900 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$40,900 (2012 est.)
$40,800 (2011 est.)
agriculture: 2%
industry: 31.3%
services: 66.8% (2013 est.)
NA%
0% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
0.9% (2012 est.)
5.107 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 28.2%
services: 70.7% (2008 est.)
8.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90 8% (2012 est.)
iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles
-1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
