Sweden Country Report

Sweden is a highly advanced post-industrial country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast; its southern tip is connected to Denmark by the Oresund Bridge. Stretching above the Arctic Circle and with little arable land, the majority of Sweden's residents inhabit the densely populated southern region. Sweden's economy developed rapidly in the mid-twentieth century due to advancements in the motor vehicle, telecommunications, and pharmaceutical industries. A constitutional monarch, the head of Sweden's royal family, serves as a ceremonial head of state, while a prime minister heads the multiparty democratic government.

There are no particular threats to expatriates or travelers to Sweden, and even petty theft remains relatively rare. Civil unrest is also rare and almost always non-violent. Like most Scandinavian countries, Sweden has an excellent infrastructure network, low levels of corruption, and a highly educated work force with few restrictions on foreign investment. Recent spikes in violent crime and targeted low-level bombings by IEDs have been attributed to both organized criminal gangs and deteriorating socioeconomic conditions.

Sweden is a member of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), and the Schengen zone.

Sweden is generally considered a low-risk travel destination. Petty theft, which occasionally takes place in crowded downtown areas and near tourist attractions, is by far the most prominent concern to travelers in Sweden. Violent crime is rare; however, there has been a growth in criminal gangs and gang-related violence in southern cities, which poses an incidental security threat. There are concerns that militants linked to extremist groups such as al-Qaeda or the Islamic State (IS) may carry out attacks in Sweden. Recent spikes in violent crime and targeted low-level bombings by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been attributed to both a growth in organized criminal gangs and deteriorating socioeconomic conditions. Anti-migrant sentiment has been increasing and may lead to unrest and far-right terror attacks.

There are no particular concerns over aviation safety in Sweden.

Transportation infrastructure is highly developed, and the country is connected by an extensive system of well-maintained roadways, as well as by safe, efficient public transportation systems.

The ports are efficient.

Utilities are good. Communications infrastructure is excellent.

There are increasing concerns over the threat from cyber attacks as the country has such excellent communications infrastructure.

Sweden faces no major natural hazards, although southern regions occasionally experience flooding due to heavy rains. Northern ski resorts are at risk of avalanches. The northern climate gets especially cold between December and March and can have a negative effect on travelers' health.

Medical care in Sweden is comparable to that found in Western Europe and the United States. The Swedish medical system is a state-run system and travelers can visit a local medical center or clinic.

Sweden is a parliamentary multi-party representative democratic constitutional monarchy. The Prime Minister is the head of government, while the monarch serves as head of state in a largely ceremonial role. The prime minister and Council of Ministers together exercise executive power, while legislative power resides with the Riksdag (legislature). The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Presidential and parliamentary elections take place at least once every four years.

Coalitions featuring a cross-section of political parties are typically required to form the government. Government collapses are rare. State institutions are competent and effective, and provide reliable services across the country.