Sweden: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Sweden — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
10,183,175
#89 of 197 countries
Area
450,295 km²
#57 of 248 countries
Density
22.6 / km²
#200 of 245 countries

Sweden has a population of 10,183,175 spread across 450,295 km², giving it an average density of 22.6 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
41.2
Life Expectancy
82.9 yrs
Government
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Sweden is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 79% of US levels, meaning costs are comparable to the United States.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$54,950
Cost of Living
79% of US
Inflation
8.6%
Inequality
31.6
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$63,300
Unemployment
8.6%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 4.9% of Sweden's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism % of Exports
4.9%
Outbound Tourists
6,081,000
Air Passengers
19,554,551
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Sweden has 4.41 physicians per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
4.41/1k
Hospital Beds
1.9/1k
Health Spend
$6485/person
Infant Mortality
2.0/1k
Immunization
93%
Safe Drinking Water
99.8%
Basic Sanitation
98.7%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Sweden, 96% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 140 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
95.7%
Mobile Subs
140/100
Broadband
40.7/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data