History of Sweden in Timeline
Sweden, officially the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula. It shares borders with Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. Covering 450,295 square kilometers, Sweden is the largest Nordic country and the fifth-largest in Europe. Its capital and most populous city is Stockholm. Sweden's population is 10.6 million, with a low population density of 25.5 inhabitants per square kilometer. Most of the population (88%) lives in urban areas concentrated in the central and southern parts of the country, occupying only 1.5% of the land. Sweden experiences varied climates due to its geographical location spanning from 55°N to 69°N.
1905: Dissolution of the union between Sweden and Norway
In 1905, the union between Sweden and Norway was dissolved, marking the end of their shared monarchy.
1905: Dissolution of the union between Sweden and Norway
The personal union between Sweden and Norway, established in 1814, was dissolved in 1905, restoring Norway's independence.
1910: Mass emigration of Swedes to the United States
Between 1850 and 1910, over one million Swedes emigrated to the United States, largely due to economic hardship and a desire for better opportunities.
1914: Beginning of Sweden's industrialization
Between 1870 and 1914, Sweden underwent significant industrial development, transforming its largely agrarian economy into the modern industrial nation it is today.
1917: Sweden avoids communist revolution and democratizes
Following the re-introduction of parliamentarism, Sweden successfully averted a communist revolution in 1917 and continued its path towards becoming a fully democratic nation.
1943: Sweden aids Danish Jews
In 1943, Sweden played a crucial role in rescuing Danish Jews from deportation to Nazi concentration camps.
1947: Record high temperature
In 1947, the highest temperature ever recorded in Sweden, 38 °C (100 °F), was measured in Målilla.
1963: Legislation for Right-Hand Traffic
The Riksdag passed legislation in 1963 to switch to right-hand traffic.
February 1966: Record low temperature
On February 2, 1966, Sweden recorded its coldest ever temperature of -52.6 °C (-62.7 °F) in Vuoggatjålme.
1966: Removal of parents' right to spank
In 1966, Sweden became the first country to remove the right of parents to physically punish their children.
September 1967: Sweden Switches to Right-Hand Traffic
On 3 September 1967, known as Dagen H, Sweden changed from left-hand to right-hand traffic.
1967: Closure of Tram Networks
Most tram networks in Sweden were closed in 1967.
1973: 1973 Oil Crisis
The 1973 oil crisis prompted Sweden to strengthen its commitment to reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.
1973: Oil embargo impacts Swedish economy
The oil embargo of 1973-74 led to economic decline and upheaval in Sweden, similar to many industrialized nations.
1974: New Instrument of Government
In 1974, a new Instrument of Government was adopted in Sweden, formally limiting the political powers of the monarch.
1974: Sweden Joins IEA
Sweden joined the International Energy Agency in 1974 following the 1973 oil crisis.
1974: Change in Military Command
Up to 1974 the King of Sweden was the pro forma Commander-in-Chief, although the monarch had no active military leadership role.
1978: Second oil crisis affects Swedish economy
Following the 1973-74 crisis, the second oil crisis of 1978-79 further impacted the Swedish economy, leading to restructuring of key industries.
July 1979: Ban on corporal punishment of children
In July 1979, Sweden legally prohibited corporal punishment of children by parents, strengthening the initial removal of parents' right to spank in 1966.
1980: Replanting with deciduous forest
Around 1980, large areas of previously planted spruce forests in Sweden began to be replanted with deciduous trees. This followed a period between 1870 and 1980 when significant areas were planted with spruce.
1986: Shift in Foreign Policy after Palme Assassination
Following the assassination of Olof Palme in 1986, and with the end of the Cold War, Sweden moved towards a more traditional foreign policy approach.
1988: Green Party enters Riksdag
In the 1988 election, the Green Party gained seats in the Riksdag, becoming the sixth party consistently represented.
June 1990: Sweden Adopts Free Market Agricultural Policies
In June 1990, Sweden shifted away from price controls in the agricultural sector, leading to a decrease in food prices.
1990: Peak Tax Rates
Sweden's taxes as a percentage of GDP reached their highest point, 52.3%, in 1990.
1991: Tax Reforms
Following a real estate and banking crisis in 1990-1991, Sweden implemented tax reforms to reduce tax rates and expand the tax base.
1991: New parties in Riksdag
In the 1991 election, the Christian Democrats and New Democracy entered the Riksdag for the first time.
1992: Fiscal crisis in Sweden
A bursting real estate bubble, combined with international recession and policy changes, led to a fiscal crisis in Sweden in 1992, including a run on the currency.
September 1994: MS Estonia sinks in the Baltic Sea
The MS Estonia ferry sank in the Baltic Sea in September 1994, resulting in the loss of 852 lives, a significant portion of whom were Swedish.
November 1994: Referendum on joining the EU
A referendum held in November 1994 resulted in a 52.3% vote in favor of Sweden joining the European Union.
January 1995: Sweden joins the EU
Following the referendum, Sweden officially joined the European Union in January 1995.
January 1995: Sweden joins the European Union
Sweden officially became a member of the European Union in January 1995.
1995: EU Membership
Sweden joined the European Union in 1995, leading to some modifications in its foreign policy and a more active role in European security cooperation.
2002: Voter Turnout
Voter turnout in the 2002 Swedish elections was 80.11%.
2003: Referendum on joining the Euro
In 2003, a referendum was held in Sweden regarding joining the Euro currency, with the electorate voting against adoption.
2004: Decline in Prison Population
Starting in 2004, the prison population in Sweden began a steady annual decline of approximately 1%.
2004: June List gains representation in European Parliament
In 2004, the June List gained representation in the European Parliament.
March 2005: Public Opinion on Nuclear Power
A poll in March 2005 showed 83% support for maintaining or increasing nuclear power in Sweden.
2005: Crime Rates Survey
A 2005 survey indicated that Sweden has relatively high crime rates for assaults, sexual assault, and hate crimes compared to the EU average, while having lower rates of burglary, car theft, and drug-related issues.
2006: Sweden's Energy Production
In 2006, Sweden's electricity production was 139 TWh, with hydropower and nuclear power being the primary sources, along with biofuels, peat, and a small amount of wind power.
2006: High GDP per Hour Worked
Sweden's GDP per hour worked in 2006 was among the highest globally, at US$31.
2006: Top ranking in gender equality
The 2006 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Sweden as the number one country for gender equality.
2006: Voter Turnout
The voter turnout in the 2006 Swedish elections was 81.99%.
2007: Largest Swedish Companies
In 2007, some of the largest Swedish companies by turnover were Volvo, Ericsson, Vattenfall, Skanska, and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, among others. Most industries were privately controlled.
2007: Economic Survey of Sweden
The OECD's 2007 Economic Survey of Sweden highlighted the country's low inflation since the mid-1990s, attributed to deregulation and globalization.
2007: Changes to the Ghent System
The Swedish Ghent system saw modifications in 2007, resulting in higher fees for unemployment funds, impacting union membership and density of unemployment funds.
2008: Passenger Traffic at Göteborg Landvetter Airport
Göteborg Landvetter Airport saw 4.3 million passengers in 2008.
December 2009: Sweden holds EU presidency
Sweden held the presidency of the European Union from July 1st to December 31st, 2009.
2009: Pirate Party in European Parliament
The Pirate Party gained representation in the European Parliament in 2009.
2009: Passenger Traffic at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport
Stockholm-Arlanda Airport had 16.1 million passengers in 2009.
July 2010: End of Routine Conscription
Sweden officially ended its routine conscription policy on July 1, 2010, moving towards a volunteer-based military force.
2010: Voter Turnout
84.63% of eligible voters participated in the 2010 Swedish elections.
2010: Income and Wealth Inequality
Data from 2010 showed Sweden with low income inequality but high wealth inequality, based on Gini coefficients. The distribution of income inequality also varied regionally within the country.
2010: Sweden Democrats gain seats
In 2010, the Sweden Democrats gained seats in the Riksdag for the first time.
2010: Sweden's Human Development Index
Sweden's Human Development Index was 0.949 in 2010.
2010: High Tax Revenue
Sweden's tax revenue as a percentage of GDP remained high in 2010, at 45.8%, the second-highest among OECD countries.
2012: Sweden's Welfare State
A 2012 OECD report highlighted Sweden's high public social spending and its investments in education and healthcare.
2012: Youth Unemployment in Sweden
Sweden had the highest youth unemployment rate among OECD countries in 2012, at 24.2%.
2012: High Economic Competitiveness
The World Economic Forum ranked Sweden as the fourth most competitive economy globally in its 2012-2013 report.
November 2013: Prison Closures
In November 2013, four prisons in Sweden were closed due to a significant decline in the inmate population since 2004.
2013: IMD World Competitiveness Ranking
Sweden was ranked fourth in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook in 2013.
2013: Social challenges from immigration
In 2013, Sweden faced social challenges related to increased immigration, including the Stockholm riots. The rising immigrant population, estimated at 15% foreign-born and another 5% born to immigrant parents, fueled debate and differing political responses.
December 2014: Reintroduction of Refresher Training
Due to rising tensions in the Baltic region, the Swedish government brought back a part of the conscription system, specifically refresher training, in December 2014.
2014: Six-Hour Workday Pilot Program
A pilot program to assess the feasibility of a six-hour workday with no reduction in pay was scheduled to begin in 2014 in Gothenburg.
2014: Feminist Initiative enters European Parliament
In 2014, the Feminist Initiative gained seats in the European Parliament.
2014: Top Ranking in Global Green Economy Index
Sweden achieved the top position in the 2014 Global Green Economy Index (GGEI).
2014: Top Ranking in Global Green Economy Index
Sweden achieved the top position in the 2014 Global Green Economy Index (GGEI).
2014: Swedish Patents in the United States
Swedish inventors held 47,112 patents in the United States in 2014.
2014: Voter Turnout
The voter turnout in the 2014 Swedish elections was 85.81%.
2015: Trade Union Membership in Sweden
In 2015, 69% of employed workers in Sweden were members of trade unions.
2015: European migrant crisis impact
In 2015, Sweden was significantly impacted by the European migrant crisis, leading the government to tighten immigration regulations. Some of these restrictions were later relaxed.
June 2016: Inauguration of MAX IV
The MAX IV research facility was inaugurated in June 2016.
2016: Trade Union Density
Union density in Sweden was 62% among blue-collar workers and 75% among white-collar workers in 2016.
March 2017: Reintroduction of Basic Military Training
In March 2017, the Swedish government decided to fully reinstate the conscription system, including basic military training. The reintroduced conscription applied to both men and women.
May 2017: Employment and Unemployment Rates in Sweden
In May 2017, Sweden's unemployment rate was 7.2% and the employment rate was 67.4%.
2018: Voter Turnout
In 2018, the voter turnout for the Swedish elections reached 87.18%.
2018: Start of Conscript Training
The first recruits under the reinstated conscription system began their training in 2018.
2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index
In 2019, Sweden scored 5.35/10 on the Forest Landscape Integrity Index, ranking 103rd globally.
2019: Initial Operations of European Spallation Source
The European Spallation Source (ESS) was scheduled to begin initial operations in 2019.
December 2020: New Tram Line in Lund
A new tram line opened in Lund in December 2020.
2020: Renaming of county councils
In 2020, Sweden renamed its county councils (landsting) to Regional Councils (regioner). This is a significant event within Sweden's public sector.
2020: Sweden's Decarbonization Efforts
In 2020, Sweden was recognized for its leading role in decarbonization, with high carbon prices and investments in renewable energy.
November 2021: Sweden's first female prime minister
In November 2021, Magdalena Andersson became Sweden's first female prime minister.
February 2022: Sweden's Oil Reserves
As of February 2022, Sweden held oil reserves equivalent to 130 days of net imports.
September 2022: Right-wing bloc wins election
In September 2022, a bloc of right-wing parties narrowly won the general election in Sweden.
October 2022: New Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson
Ulf Kristersson of the Moderate Party became Sweden's new Prime Minister in October 2022.
2022: Application to Join NATO
In 2022, Sweden initiated the process to formally join the NATO alliance in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
2022: Shift in Swedish foreign policy
In 2022, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden initiated the process to join NATO, marking a departure from its long-standing policy of military non-alignment.
2023: Sweden's Rank in Global Innovation Index
Sweden ranked second in the Global Innovation Index in 2023.
March 2024: Sweden joins NATO
In March 2024, after months of delays due to objections from Turkey and Hungary, Sweden officially became a member of NATO. This marked a significant shift in Swedish foreign policy, moving away from its traditional military non-alignment.
2024: Sweden's Rank in Global Innovation Index
Sweden ranked second in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.
2024: Environmental Performance Index Ranking
Sweden was ranked sixth in the 2024 Environmental Performance Index, demonstrating strong performance in areas such as air quality, waste management, sanitation, and drinking water.
2025: Completion of European Spallation Source
The construction of the European Spallation Source (ESS) was scheduled for completion in 2025.
2030: Projected Human Development Index for Sweden
The UN predicted a decline in Sweden's Human Development Index to 0.906 by 2030.