Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Sweden instead of Maryland, you would:

Health

live 5.9 years longer

In Maryland, the average life expectancy is 77 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2020. In Sweden, that number is 83 years (81 years for men, 85 years for women) as of 2022.

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Economy

be 2.1 times more likely to be unemployed

In Maryland, 3.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Sweden, that number is 7.6% as of 2023.

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be 78.9% more likely to live below the poverty line

In Maryland, 9.0% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Sweden, however, that number is 16.1% as of 2022.

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The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: OECD Regional Demography, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), The World Factbook.

Compare further: Maryland vs. Sweden
Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Sweden is 10.0% cheaper than Maryland
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Size Comparison · See true size
Maryland is about 18 times smaller than Sweden.
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Sweden: At a glance

Sweden is a sovereign country in Europe, with a total land area of approximately 410,335 sq km. A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both world wars. Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system intermixed with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in 2000-02 and 2009 by the global economic downturns, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum.
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How big is Sweden compared to Maryland? See an in-depth size comparison.

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