Living in SwedenA large Nordic country of forests and lakes with long, dark winters, bright summers and a strong welfare state. Editorial
The numbers
Main city climate-3° to 18°CColdest and warmest month averages, Stockholm · 2020
Average temperature6.9°CStockholm (whole country 3.2°C) · 2020
Price level91%Of US prices for everyday goods and services · 2025
Average spending$2,673Per person per month (international $, PPP) · 2025
Income per person$72,500GDP per person a year (international $, PPP) · 2025
Unemployment8.7%Of the labour force · 2025
Homicides1.1Per 100,000 people a year · 2023
Life expectancy84.1 yearsAt birth · 2024
Clean air5 µg/m³Average fine-particle pollution (WHO guideline: 5) · 2023
Forest69%Of the land area · 2024
City dwellers89%Of people live in cities and towns · 2025
Tax revenue27.2%Of GDP · 2024
Language and getting around Editorial
- Languages: Swedish. English is widely spoken.
- Public transport: Extensive: most people can live without a car in the big cities.
- Geography: Has a coastline, with mountain areas. Capital: Stockholm.
Moving to Sweden
Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality, job, studies and family, and they change often. Start with the government's own website: www.migrationsverket.se.
Sources
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per person (PPP) | 72,528.89 international $ | 2025 | World Bank WDI |
| Unemployment | 8.69 % of labour force | 2025 | World Bank WDI (ILO estimate) |
| Intentional homicides | 1.15 per 100,000 people | 2023 | World Bank WDI (UNODC) |
| Political stability and absence of violence | 0.85 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Government effectiveness (public services) | 1.82 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth | 84.06 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Health spending per person | 6,484.76 US$ per person | 2024 | World Bank WDI (WHO) |
| Tax revenue | 27.23 % of GDP | 2024 | World Bank WDI (IMF) |
| People living in cities and towns | 89.08 % of population | 2025 | World Bank WDI (UN) |
| Forest area | 68.59 % of land | 2024 | World Bank WDI (FAO) |
| Fine-particle air pollution (PM2.5) | 5.26 µg/m³, annual mean | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Price level of household goods and services | 0.91 ratio, United States = 1 | 2025 | Calculated: PPP conversion factor (private consumption) / official exchange rate, World Bank WDI |
| Average household spending per person | 2,672.5 international $ per person per month | 2025 | Calculated: household consumption (PPP) / population / 12, World Bank WDI |
| Average temperature, whole country 1991-2020 | 3.2 °C | 2020 | World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CRU TS 4.08, 1991-2020) |
| Average temperature, main city | 6.9 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Coldest month average, main city | -3.1 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Warmest month average, main city | 18.4 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Rainfall, main city | 664 mm per year | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
Data checked 2 November 2026. National averages hide differences between cities and regions. Climate figures for Stockholm are 2001–2020 averages.
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