COUNTRY PROFILE

Often described as the European capital of the Internet, prosperous Sweden's progress into a high-tech future has shown signs of faltering. Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson has been experiencing substantial losses in its mobile phone division, and several dot.com companies have folded. Despite these problems, Sweden's position as one of the most highly developed post-industrial societies looks fundamentally secure. The Lutheran Church is the State Church, but a gradual separation has been taking place. All Swedish citizens are automatically members by birth unless they or their parents request otherwise. Despite their Lutheran birth, only 5 percent of the population regularly attend church and over half the population have no real knowledge of the Christian faith, which is perceived as a pleasantly impersonal cultural heritage with little practical relevance. There is freedom of religion for other denominations and religions. Once noted for its revivals, Sweden has since entangled its culture into a permissive-for-me society focused on materialism. After Denmark, Sweden is the most secularized country in Europe. 

OVERVIEW

The Swedes enjoy an advanced welfare system, and their standard of living and life expectancy are almost second to none (male 75.9 years; females 81.2 years). Sweden is known throughout the world for its neutrality. This policy has led to a number of Swedish politicians taking on international roles, often mediating between conflicting groups or ideologies. Sweden is also a haven for refugees and asylum seekers - around 10 percent of its population are immigrants. Many political and religious refugees from the Middle East, Latin America and the former Communist Bloc have been given a home. Likewise, Croatian, Bosnian and Albanian refugees have flooded into Sweden during the start of Yugoslavia hostilities in 1992. Sweden has enjoyed long periods of political stability, enabling it to develop what became known as "the Swedish model" - a mixed economy founded on public-private partnership, with centralized wage negotiations, and a heavily subsidized social security network. However, one event that has cast a long shadow over Swedish politics: the assassination in 1986 of the prime minister, Olof Palme. His murder remains unsolved, with even the motive for the crime still shrouded in mystery. With the ending of the Cold War, Sweden felt able to join the European Union in 1995, but still declines to become a member of NATO. 

FACTS

Population: 9 million
Capital: Stockholm
Major language: Swedish
Major religion: Christianity 
Form of government: Parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy 
Monetary unit: 1 Swedish krona = 100 ore
Main exports: Machinery and transport equipment, paper products, chemicals
Internet domain: .se
Time zone: GMT+1
International dialing code: +46

LEADERS


King (Chief of state): 
Carl XVI Gustaf 

Prime Minister (head of government): Goeran Persson 

Social Democrat Goeran Persson has been prime minister since 1996. He leads a minority government, which is backed by the former Communists. The biggest policy question facing Sweden is whether to adopt the euro as the national currency. Persson is in favor of the euro, but opinion polls suggest most Swedes are against it. Persson has promised a referendum. Social Affairs Minister: Lars Engqvist; Finance Minister: Bosse Ringholm 

MEDIA

The Swedish government allocates licenses to broadcast national radio and television via a contractual agreement that normally runs for five years. The government sets certain conditions concerning children's programming, news and the use of Swedish productions. Commercial television channels and radio stations are independent. The satellite TV market is deregulated, with no license required to broadcast. Digital broadcasting was launched by Swedish Television in 1999. Newspapers are independent. The government provides subsidies regardless of political affiliation. 

The Press
Aftonbladet
Dagens Nyheter
Expressen
Svenska Dagbladet

Television
Swedish Television
TV4

Radio
Swedish Radio
Radio Sweden International 

OBSTACLES TO MINISTRY

• Permissive culture focused on the material rather than the spiritual.

• Continual decline of professing Christians from the previous century.

SPIRITUAL POWER POINTS

• Continual increase of refugees from countries could present Sweden with many false religions.

• Respect for God has decreased and needs to be reversed.

Special thanks to Patrick Johnstone's, "Operation World" publisher, 
ISBN# 0-310-40031-7; and country profiles by the BBC