About Sweden

Every person has their own story, but many of us are united by the fact that due to circumstances, we have found ourselves in a new country where we need to build a new life as quickly as possible. We hope that our portal Expaterra can help you!

 

So, Sweden: a country of opportunities and warm hospitality, where everyone can find their home among picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

 

Culture and Lifestyle

Culture and lifestyle in Sweden are characterized by a blend of tradition and modern values, with a focus on equality and harmony, as well as environmental awareness.

Sweden boasts one of the highest levels of gender equality in the world. Fairness and equal opportunities are valued in society, regardless of gender or social status. This applies to both work and family life, where parents share childcare responsibilities thanks to a generous system of paid parental leave.

Swedes value a balance between professional activity and leisure. Work with a strict schedule and flexible hours, as well as mandatory breaks such as fika, are an important part of life. Fika is a coffee break with pastries, allowing relaxation and socialization with colleagues or friends.

Most Swedes actively spend time in nature. Sweden is known for its forests, lakes, and mountains, as well as its commitment to environmental protection. Residents strive for a sustainable lifestyle, including waste recycling and the use of environmentally friendly energy sources.

Sweden is one of the most digitized countries in the world. Many services, from filing a tax return to making a doctor's appointment, can be accessed online using BankID (a digital signature that identifies a person in government service systems). BankID is available to those with a permanent identification number. This makes everyday life convenient and efficient, especially for those who are active internet users.

Socially, Swedes may seem reserved and prefer to avoid conflicts, striving for harmony. They value independence, both financial and personal, and are not accustomed to relying on others for everyday matters. This aspect of cultural self-sufficiency is reflected in their commitment to honesty and trust in the community.

Traditional Swedish cuisine is characterized by simplicity, heartiness, and a focus on local produce. Here are some key dishes and ingredients typical for Swedish cuisine:

Meat dishes:

   - Köttbullar (Swedish meatballs) — one of the most famous dishes. Meatballs are usually served with mashed potatoes, gravy, lingonberry jam, and pickled cucumbers.

   - Gravad lax — lightly salted salmon marinated in salt, sugar, and dill. This is a popular dish for festive tables and appetizers.

   - Kalops — a beef stew braised with onions and carrots, served with potatoes.

Potatoes and vegetables:

   - Janssons frestelse — a potato casserole with anchovies and cream. This is a traditional Christmas dish often served at Swedish festive tables.

   - Raggmunk — potato pancakes that are served with bacon and lingonberry jam.

Bread and pastries:

   - Knäckebröd — crispy bread that is an integral part of the Swedish table. They are eaten with butter, cheese, and various toppings.

   - Kanelbullar — cinnamon rolls that have become a symbol of Swedish fika — a coffee break with pastry.

Fish:

   - Sweden is renowned for its fish dishes. Besides lightly salted salmon, various types of pickled herring (sill) are popular and served as appetizers during holidays such as Midsommar and Christmas.

   - Surströmming — fermented herring known for its strong smell and a delicacy in the country's north. It is a seasonal product available from mid-August and disappears from store shelves by the New Year.

Desserts and sweets:

   - Prinsesstårta — a traditional cake with sponge, cream, and marzipan, usually served on birthdays.

   - Semla — a sweet bun with almond paste and whipped cream, traditionally eaten before Lent.

Lussekatter — sweet buns with saffron and raisins, baked for Saint Lucia's Day on December 13th.

Swedish cuisine underscores the simplicity and naturalness of products, and many dishes are made using local seasonal ingredients.

Sweden ranks high in several global rankings, thanks to innovations, high living standards, and environmental responsibility.

In the Global Innovation Index 2023, the country ranked second, only behind Switzerland. This is due to its high level of scientific research, developed digital infrastructure, and startup support.

The country is recognized as a global leader in sustainable development, taking leading positions in rankings related to ecology and the green economy.

In 2023, Sweden ranked 8th in the global competitiveness ranking, reflecting its stable economy, attractiveness to investors, and high living standards.

Swedish universities also rank highly globally. For example, the Karolinska Institute holds high positions in global rankings for the quality of medical education and scientific research.

Despite its successes in most international rankings, Sweden faces certain challenges in some areas.

Sweden often encounters difficulties integrating migrants. The employment rate among migrants is lower than that of the native population, and there is a significant performance gap between migrant children and Swedish schoolchildren. This lowers Sweden's positions in rankings related to social integration.

The country showed its weaknesses in the business environment ranking, related to a high tax burden and bureaucratic barriers to opening new businesses.

 

Local Language

Learning the Swedish language can present several challenges. The Swedish language has several sounds not found in other languages, such as vowels [ö], [ä], and [å]. The pronunciation of some consonants and intonation also can be difficult to get used to. Swedish grammar, though simpler than in some other languages, can be complex due to the presence of definite and indefinite articles, noun genders, and declensions. Many words in the Swedish language have Latin or Germanic roots, which can be difficult for those unfamiliar with these language groups. The Swedish language has many irregular verbs and phrasal verbs that need to be memorized. Sweden has many dialects that can differ significantly from the standard language, which may pose challenges when communicating with native speakers from different regions. The Swedish language has specific melody and intonation. This can be challenging for proper perception and reproduction. As with any language, Swedish has many idioms and fixed expressions that can be difficult to understand and use correctly. However, despite these challenges, the Swedish language also has many advantages, such as its relative simplicity in grammar and a large number of learning resources. Moreover, there are plenty of opportunities to study it, and you will always be supported and helped along the way!