This chapter shows how Sweden works together with countries in the Nordic region, in Europe and in the world. It also covers Sweden's defence and security.
The Nordic region and the EU
The Nordic countries are Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway. Most of their cooperation happens through the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers. When the councils agree, each country can put the decisions into practice.
The European Union, the EU, is a group of countries in Europe that work together on politics and economics. After the Second World War, this cooperation was meant to give Europe peace and stability, meaning calm and security. The idea behind the EU is that countries that work together become stronger. Sweden has been a member of the EU since 1995.
The cooperation covers areas such as agriculture, the economy, the environment, trade and migration (moving between countries). The countries decide together, and the EU's laws apply in all member states. Within the EU there is free movement of goods, services, capital (money) and people. This is called the four freedoms. An EU citizen can, for example, move, study and work in another EU country.
The Council of Europe, the UN and Sida
The Council of Europe is another European organisation with Sweden as a member. It was founded in 1949. The Council of Europe works to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law, meaning that even the state must follow the law. The Council of Europe has a court, the European Court of Human Rights, often known for short as Europadomstolen.
The UN stands for the United Nations, and it was founded in 1945, after the Second World War. Almost every country in the world is a member, including Sweden. The UN works to protect peace and security in the world, resolve conflicts and put an end to war. The UN also believes that all peoples have equal worth and the right to decide for themselves. In addition, the UN stands up for human rights and people's freedom.
Sida is a government agency. Its full name is Styrelsen för internationellt utvecklingssamarbete (the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency). Sida works against poverty and oppression in the world. Oppression means people are not allowed to live freely. Through Sida, Sweden gives aid (support) to other countries. This support is meant to help with the economy, democracy, a sustainable society and equality between women and men.
The long peace
Sweden has not been at war with another country since the early 1800s. Few other countries have had unbroken peace for so long. In 1808 and 1809, Sweden lost Finland in a war against Russia. At that point, Finland had belonged to Sweden for almost 700 years.
The Napoleonic Wars led to Norway being forced into a union with Sweden a few years later. In 1905, Norway became independent, meaning fully its own country. This happened without war. Since then, Sweden has tried to stay out of wars.
The Cold War
The Cold War began after the Second World War. A western bloc led by the US stood against an eastern bloc led by the Soviet Union. A bloc is a group of countries that stand together. Both blocs had nuclear weapons and large military forces, and they threatened each other.
During the Cold War, Denmark and Norway became members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Nato. Sweden remained neutral and did not want to choose either bloc. The country stayed outside Nato. In a military alliance, countries promise to defend each other. Staying outside such an alliance is called military non-alignment.
After the Cold War
In 1991, the Soviet Union fell, and the Cold War ended. This changed the security situation in Europe.
In 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine. This made many people more worried about security in the Nordic region. Because of this, Sweden and Finland applied to join Nato at almost the same time. Nato is a defence alliance that protects its members. Sweden has been a member of Nato since 2024.
Total defence
If needed, every resident between the ages of 16 and 70 must help defend Sweden. This is called a total defence duty (a duty is something you are required to do). Military and civil defence together are called total defence.
Sweden's military defence is Försvarsmakten (the Swedish Armed Forces), made up of the army, the navy and the air force. Försvarsmaktens task is to protect Sweden's independence and territory, meaning the country's area. It must also be ready for international operations, meaning missions abroad.
Conscription applies to all Swedish citizens, women and men, who have turned 18. It begins with answering questions and taking tests. A selection is then made of who will do basic military training. Only some of them end up doing the training.
Civil defence
In civil defence, more than just the military must be ready for threats and difficult situations. Society, for example schools, workplaces and healthcare, must keep functioning even in war or crisis.
Försvarsmakten works to strengthen both military and civil defence. This helps society better withstand threats. A strong total defence should also deter, meaning make anyone thinking of attacking Sweden decide not to risk it.