United States compared to Sweden

If you lived in Sweden instead of United States, you would:

Health

live 2.1 years longer

In United States, the average life expectancy is 80 years (78 years for men, 82 years for women). In Sweden, that number is 82 years (80 years for men, 84 years for women).

be 43.1% less likely to be obese

In United States, 36.2% of adults are obese. In Sweden, that number is 20.6% of people.

Economy

make 13.4% less money

United States has a GDP per capita of $59,500, while in Sweden, the GDP per capita is $51,500.

be 50.0% more likely to be unemployed

In United States, 4.4% of adults are unemployed. In Sweden, that number is 6.6%.

spend 44.2% more on taxes

United States has a top tax rate of 39.6%. In Sweden, the top tax rate is 57.1%.

Life

be 71.4% less likely to die during childbirth

In United States, approximately 14.0 women per 1,000 births die during labor. In Sweden, 4.0 women do.

be 55.2% less likely to die during infancy

In United States, approximately 5.8 children die before they reach the age of one. In Sweden, on the other hand, 2.6 children do.

Basic Needs

be 20.1% more likely to have internet access

In United States, approximately 76.2% of the population has internet access. In Sweden, about 91.5% do.

Expenditures

spend 30.4% less on healthcare

United States spends 17.1% of its total GDP on healthcare. In Sweden, that number is 11.9% of GDP.

spend 54.0% more on education

United States spends 5.0% of its total GDP on education. Sweden spends 7.7% of total GDP on education.

Geography

see 83.8% less coastline

United States has a total of 19,924 km of coastline. In Sweden, that number is 3,218 km.

Learn more about Sweden

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.

How big is Sweden compared to United States? See an in-depth size comparison.