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Economy of Sweden vs United Kingdom compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sweden has a GDP of $604B compared to $3.69T for the United Kingdom, ranking 26/197 and 6/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sweden has $199B in government debt (33% of GDP), compared to $3.73T (101.2% of GDP) in the United Kingdom.

Sweden vs United Kingdom GDP by year

Sweden
United Kingdom
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sweden United Kingdom
2024 $603,715,224,266 $3,686,033,044,482
2023 $578,990,915,246 $3,420,796,653,789
2022 $575,071,237,641 $3,181,244,350,465
2021 $631,693,331,301 $3,194,559,188,926
2020 $544,265,668,452 $2,724,001,478,305
2019 $530,894,124,494 $2,875,710,080,015
2018 $549,649,344,043 $2,897,028,009,916
2017 $535,172,356,785 $2,699,118,387,873
2016 $513,058,312,951 $2,706,807,606,539
2015 $501,602,351,912 $2,945,579,890,258
2014 $577,727,767,304 $3,085,362,169,410
2013 $584,125,353,119 $2,796,908,333,283
2012 $549,739,674,655 $2,719,715,961,540
2011 $570,538,581,144 $2,675,590,034,129
2010 $492,750,897,239 $2,496,740,681,057
2009 $434,311,714,442 $2,429,358,155,476
2008 $514,614,100,833 $2,945,251,838,235
2007 $490,047,789,548 $3,104,699,879,952
2006 $422,528,394,459 $2,719,558,417,663
2005 $391,688,455,929 $2,551,361,818,182
2004 $384,545,442,175 $2,429,774,807,763
2003 $334,072,443,516 $2,061,227,755,102
2002 $267,371,907,447 $1,790,536,570,743
2001 $242,497,797,485 $1,656,171,009,069
2000 $262,903,560,280 $1,671,597,821,153
1999 $274,318,357,862 $1,693,458,987,219
1998 $270,887,306,759 $1,660,821,464,061
1997 $268,249,616,891 $1,569,317,288,802
1996 $291,949,597,375 $1,425,287,051,482
1995 $267,050,453,507 $1,349,094,208,616
1994 $228,699,066,874 $1,140,489,745,944
1993 $212,644,602,616 $1,061,388,722,256
1992 $283,908,914,454 $1,179,659,529,660
1991 $273,831,464,572 $1,142,797,178,131
1990 $261,466,577,009 $1,093,169,389,205
1989 $217,632,340,195 $926,884,816,754
1988 $206,686,590,776 $910,122,732,124
1987 $182,744,315,974 $745,162,608,269
1986 $150,279,869,729 $601,452,653,181
1985 $113,958,084,357 $489,285,164,271
1984 $109,043,045,407 $461,487,097,632
1983 $104,862,109,663 $489,618,008,186
1982 $114,214,731,799 $515,048,916,841
1981 $129,498,921,476 $540,765,675,241
1980 $141,886,067,004 $564,947,710,899
1979 $123,207,527,699 $438,994,070,309
1978 $104,290,933,496 $335,883,029,722
1977 $94,331,782,622 $263,066,457,352
1976 $89,232,517,046 $232,614,555,256
1975 $82,765,232,648 $241,756,637,168
1974 $65,917,634,590 $206,131,369,799
1973 $59,318,842,992 $192,537,971,583
1972 $48,883,173,400 $169,965,034,965
1971 $41,506,151,115 $148,113,896,325
1970 $38,037,226,668 $130,671,946,244
1969 $33,967,301,561 $116,464,702,803
1968 $31,277,871,669 $107,759,910,068
1967 $29,474,881,506 $113,116,888,211
1966 $27,154,716,721 $108,572,752,102
1965 $24,963,947,415 $101,824,755,079
1964 $22,685,490,195 $94,407,558,351
1963 $20,342,131,882 $86,561,961,812
1962 $18,794,066,990 $81,247,564,157
1961 $17,329,620,585 $77,741,965,703
1960 $15,930,075,467 $73,233,967,692

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/sweden/united-kingdom | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sweden vs United Kingdom by year

Sweden
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Kingdom
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sweden United Kingdom
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $57,117 $71,845 $53,246 $62,009
2023 $54,950 $69,226 $49,944 $59,911
2022 $54,837 $67,076 $47,057 $59,022
2021 $60,648 $62,732 $47,691 $51,004
2020 $52,569 $57,489 $40,813 $48,230
2019 $51,649 $57,046 $43,159 $50,065
2018 $54,018 $53,122 $43,703 $47,212
2017 $53,210 $51,474 $40,917 $46,113
2016 $51,704 $50,290 $41,258 $44,085
2015 $51,188 $48,772 $45,255 $42,515
2014 $59,583 $46,841 $47,746 $41,267
2013 $60,844 $46,098 $43,607 $39,948
2012 $57,750 $45,207 $42,688 $38,337
2011 $60,379 $44,333 $42,296 $37,224
2010 $52,543 $41,951 $39,778 $36,484
2009 $46,708 $40,094 $39,009 $35,042
2008 $55,817 $41,907 $47,652 $36,745
2007 $53,568 $40,813 $50,629 $35,522
2006 $46,531 $37,672 $44,695 $34,727
2005 $43,378 $34,198 $42,240 $32,726
2004 $42,758 $33,805 $40,504 $32,051
2003 $37,292 $31,788 $34,557 $30,314
2002 $29,958 $30,987 $30,159 $29,089
2001 $27,259 $29,946 $28,014 $27,913
2000 $29,633 $29,636 $28,384 $26,536
1999 $30,969 $27,496 $28,858 $24,494
1998 $30,605 $25,897 $28,396 $23,689
1997 $30,324 $24,817 $26,910 $23,071
1996 $33,022 $23,952 $24,503 $21,947
1995 $30,254 $23,084 $23,253 $20,595
1994 $26,046 $21,835 $19,709 $19,605
1993 $24,390 $20,700 $18,389 $18,336
1992 $32,753 $20,767 $20,487 $17,349
1991 $31,777 $20,663 $19,901 $16,791
1990 $30,549 $20,357 $19,095 $16,505
1989 $25,625 - $16,239 -
1988 $24,499 - $15,987 -
1987 $21,761 - $13,119 -
1986 $17,955 - $10,611 -
1985 $13,647 - $8,652 -
1984 $13,080 - $8,179 -
1983 $12,590 - $8,692 -
1982 $13,719 - $9,146 -
1981 $15,564 - $9,599 -
1980 $17,073 - $10,032 -
1979 $14,856 - $7,805 -
1978 $12,602 - $5,977 -
1977 $11,432 - $4,681 -
1976 $10,853 - $4,138 -
1975 $10,103 - $4,300 -
1974 $8,078 - $3,666 -
1973 $7,291 - $3,426 -
1972 $6,018 - $3,030 -
1971 $5,125 - $2,650 -
1970 $4,729 - $2,348 -
1969 $4,263 - $2,101 -
1968 $3,953 - $1,952 -
1967 $3,746 - $2,059 -
1966 $3,478 - $1,987 -
1965 $3,228 - $1,874 -
1964 $2,961 - $1,748 -
1963 $2,675 - $1,613 -
1962 $2,485 - $1,526 -
1961 $2,304 - $1,472 -
1960 $2,128 - $1,398 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/sweden/united-kingdom | CC BY

Sweden's GDP per capita is $57,117, ranking 17/197, compared to $53,246 in the United Kingdom, ranking 22/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sweden ranks 23rd at $71,845, while the United Kingdom ranks 32nd at $62,009.

Economic indicators

Sweden United Kingdom
Gross domestic product
$604B
2024
$3.69T
2024
GDP rank
26/197
2024
6/197
2024
GDP growth
0.82%
2023-2024
1.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$57,117
2024
$53,246
2024
GDP per capita rank
17/197
2024
22/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,845
2024
$62,009
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
23/197
2024
32/197
2024
Government debt
$199B
2024
$3.73T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
33%
2024
101.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$18,842
2024
$53,900
2024
Government debt per person rank
32/185
2024
7/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$42,066
2026
$39,230
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$290B
2003
$3.1T
2022
Number of millionaires
490,000
2025
2,624,000
2025
Number of billionaires
45
2025
55
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.3%
2023
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.3%
2024
44%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.84%
2023-2024
3.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.75%
2025
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.31%
2024
4.36%
2024
Population
10680056
70154914

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sweden
Spending

Debt
United Kingdom
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sweden United Kingdom
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.3% 33% 44% 101.2%
2023 48.9% 31.8% 44.8% 100.4%
2022 48.3% 33.9% 44.1% 99.6%
2021 49.3% 37% 45.8% 105.1%
2020 52% 40.2% 50% 105.8%
2019 48.8% 35.8% 38.8% 85.7%
2018 49.8% 39.9% 38.9% 86.3%
2017 49.2% 41.6% 39.2% 86.7%
2016 49.5% 42.9% 39.6% 87.8%
2015 49.4% 44.5% 40.4% 87.9%
2014 50.7% 45.7% 41.2% 87.1%
2013 51.4% 40.8% 41.8% 85.3%
2012 50.2% 38% 43.6% 84.5%
2011 49.1% 37.7% 43.5% 81.4%
2010 49.7% 38.6% 44.7% 75.9%
2009 51.7% 41.2% 44.6% 64.9%
2008 49.4% 38% 41% 50.8%
2007 48.5% 39.2% 38.7% 43.2%
2006 50.1% 43.8% 38.4% 42.1%
2005 51.2% 48.9% 38.4% 41%
2004 51.7% 48.7% 38% 39.8%
2003 53% 49.4% 37.2% 36.8%
2002 52.7% 49.8% 35.9% 35.4%
2001 51.7% 52% 34.7% 35%
2000 52.2% 50.4% 33.9% 37.7%
1999 55.2% 60.3% 33.9% 40.4%
1998 55.6% 65.4% 34.5% 42%
1997 57.9% 67.7% 34.9% 44.1%
1996 60% 68.9% 35.7% 43.7%
1995 62.1% 68.7% 37.6% 43.7%
1994 65.3% 68.6% 37.5% 40.7%
1993 67.9% 66.1% 37.8% 38%
1992 66.5% 45.7% 37.8% 33.2%
1991 61.2% 40.2% 35.9% 28.5%
1990 57.5% 40.3% 35% 28.5%
1989 35.8% 44.8% 39.7% 31.4%
1988 37.9% 50.3% 40.3% 36.6%
1987 40.9% 56% 42.7% 41.8%
1986 42.1% 59.5% 44.6% 42.9%
1985 47.6% 61.2% 48.7% 42.9%
1984 46.7% 57.5% 50.3% 44.1%
1983 48.6% 54.5% 50.4% 44.2%
1982 46.4% 47.9% 50.8% 44.7%
1981 46.1% 41.5% 51.2% 41.1%
1980 41% 34.4% 47.6% 43.7%
1979 39.9% 28.3% 45.1% 44.5%
1978 39.1% 24% 46.2% 47.3%
1977 35.7% 21% 46.8% 53.7%
1976 32.3% 19% 49.2% 47.7%
1975 30.6% 19.9% 49.1% 49.6%
1974 30.1% 19.4% 47.8% 56.2%
1973 31.1% 18% 43.5% 58.5%
1972 31.9% 17.2% 42.3% 65%
1971 29.8% 16.9% 41.2% 67.9%
1970 29.5% 16.9% 42% 73.4%
1969 28.7% 17.6% 39.2% 82.8%
1968 28.3% 17.6% 40.3% 88.5%
1967 27.7% 16.1% 40.1% 89.1%
1966 26.5% 15.3% 35.7% 91.9%
1965 24.6% 17% 34.6% 94.6%
1964 23.4% 18.7% 32.8% 101.1%
1963 24.4% 20.7% 37.4% 108.6%
1962 23.4% 23% 33.8% 110.5%
1961 23.7% 26% 31.5% 113.8%
1960 24.4% 28.6% 33.1% 117.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sweden/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2024, Sweden's government spending was $298B, accounting for 49.3% of its GDP, while the United Kingdom spent $1.62T, or 44% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 33% in Sweden and 101.2% in the United Kingdom, ranking 148/185 and 22/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sweden

United Kingdom
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sweden United Kingdom
2024 -1.72% -5.75%
2023 -0.63% -6.05%
2022 1% -4.56%
2021 -0.15% -7.72%
2020 -3.18% -13.2%
2019 0.44% -2.47%
2018 0.67% -2.27%
2017 1.29% -2.49%
2016 0.86% -3.31%
2015 -0.27% -4.59%
2014 -1.84% -5.53%
2013 -1.63% -5.34%
2012 -1.19% -7.45%
2011 -0.41% -7.38%
2010 -0.14% -9.22%
2009 -0.89% -10.1%
2008 1.87% -5.09%
2007 3.37% -2.65%
2006 2.2% -2.76%
2005 2.08% -3.15%
2004 0.17% -3.16%
2003 -1.25% -3.22%
2002 -1.46% -1.96%
2001 1.37% 0.34%
2000 3.11% 1.4%
1999 0.6% 0.76%
1998 0.82% -0.21%
1997 -1.57% -2.01%
1996 -3.11% -3.65%
1995 -7.01% -4.99%
1994 -8.77% -5.74%
1993 -10.9% -6.62%
1992 -8.51% -5.41%
1991 0.28% -2.77%
1990 3.7% -1.54%
1989 1.5% 0.77%
1988 -0.64% 0.46%
1987 -2% -1.79%
1986 -6.21% -2.56%
1985 -9.91% -5.57%
1984 -12.1% -6.39%
1983 -15.1% -6.26%
1982 -13.4% -5.66%
1981 -12.8% -7.03%
1980 -11.5% -5.65%
1979 -9.95% -5.79%
1978 -7.32% -6.63%
1977 -3.32% -4.41%
1976 -1.27% -5.61%
1975 -4.05% -5.08%
1974 -4.12% -4.06%
1973 -3.28% -4.29%
1972 -2.17% -1.66%
1971 -1.67% 1.48%
1970 -2.64% 2.61%
1969 -2.03% 1.03%
1968 -2.37% -2.3%
1967 -1.41% -4.57%
1966 -0.33% -1.59%
1965 -0.17% -2.06%
1964 -0.1% -1.76%
1963 0.41% -5.47%
1962 0.7% -0.49%
1961 0.56% 0.56%
1960 -2.67% -2.75%
1959 -2.53% -0.58%
1958 -2.31% -1.73%
1957 -2.1% -1.04%
1956 -1.21% 0.55%
1955 -1.72% -0.39%
1954 -1.52% -1.65%
1953 -2.47% -2.84%
1952 -0.16% -1.26%
1951 -0.9% 2.03%
1950 -1.64% 0.34%
1949 -0.74% 3.01%
1948 0.29% -0.39%
1947 -1.08% -15.8%
1946 -0.61% -22.5%
1945 -8.04% -30.9%
1944 -8.66% -29.7%
1943 -10.7% -33.3%
1942 -11.8% -31.6%
1941 -13.1% -32%
1940 -8.16% -12.1%
1939 -1.13% -2.99%
1938 -0.07% 0%
1937 0.46% 0.82%
1936 -0.64% 0.17%
1935 -2.19% 0.37%
1934 -1.88% 0.48%
1933 -4.1% 0.99%
1932 -1.56% -0.15%
1931 -0.05% 0.8%
1930 0.09% 1.01%
1929 -0.39% 0.75%
1928 -0.06% 1.75%
1927 -1.14% 1.62%
1926 -1.11% 0.6%
1925 -1.44% 0.84%
1924 -0.99% 1.19%
1923 -1.65% 2.23%
1922 -3.17% 2.45%
1921 -3.55% 1.15%
1920 -0.6% 4.2%
1919 0.17% -6.28%
1918 -8.59% -34.4%
1917 -0.26% -48.8%
1916 -0.23% -50.6%
1915 -0.94% -30%
1914 -0.55% -14.6%
1913 -0.17% 0.25%
1912 -0.51% 0.22%
1911 -0.87% 0.51%
1910 -0.81% 1.75%
1909 -2.08% -1.25%
1908 -2.27% 0.34%
1907 -0.68% 0.66%
1906 -0.66% 0.58%
1905 -0.34% 0.36%
1904 -0.56% 0.2%
1903 0.08% -0.22%
1902 -1.57% -1.77%
1901 -1.34% -2.74%
1900 -0.32% -2.96%
1899 0.57% -0.79%
1898 0.91% 0.01%
1897 1.09% 0.25%
1896 -0.59% 0.17%
1895 1% 0.3%
1894 0.47% 0.06%
1893 -0.49% -0.007%
1892 -0.68% 0.14%
1891 -0.6% 0.19%
1890 0.33% 0.23%
1889 0.19% 0.3%
1888 -0.05% 0.27%
1887 -1.5% 0.25%
1886 -0.98% 0.07%
1885 -0.08% -0.21%
1884 0.24% -0.04%
1883 0.16% 0.06%
1882 0.36% 0.02%
1881 -0.17% 0.06%
1880 -0.47% 0.1%
1879 -1.89% -0.86%
1878 -2.04% -0.18%
1877 -1.21% -0.18%
1876 -1.07% 0.09%
1875 -1.26% 0%
1874 -1.05% 0.09%
1873 0.06% 0%
1872 -0.15% 0.55%
1871 0.22% 0.29%
1870 -0.42% 0%
1869 -1.52% 0.77%
1868 -1.67% -0.45%
1867 -1.17% -0.45%
1866 -3.01% 0.11%
1865 -2.02% 0%
1864 -2.3% 0.24%
1863 -1.58% 0%
1862 -1.35% -0.13%
1861 -1.11% -0.4%
1860 -2.03% -0.43%
1859 -2.17% 0%
1858 -2.36% -0.15%
1857 -0.62% -0.15%
1856 -0.08% -0.6%
1855 -0.09% -3.57%
1854 -0.19% -3.39%
1853 0.17% 0.5%
1852 -0.31% 0.35%
1851 -0.07% 0.35%
1850 0.004% 0.37%
1849 0.09% 0.34%
1848 0.12% -0.17%
1847 0.08% -6.13%
1846 0.13% 0.52%
1845 0.04% 0.56%
1844 0.009% 0.59%
1843 0.05% 0.44%
1842 -0.12% -0.87%
1841 0.06% -0.42%
1840 -0.01% -0.2%
1839 -0.006% -0.18%
1838 0.09% -0.19%
1837 -0.38% -0.21%
1836 -0.08% 0.59%
1835 0.08% 0.42%
1834 -0.12% 0.23%
1833 0.09% 0.24%
1832 0.01% 0%
1831 -0.1% 0%
1830 -0.45% 0.45%
1829 2.7% -
1828 0.03% -
1827 -0.16% -
1826 0.37% -
1825 0.18% -
1824 -0.23% -
1823 0.37% -
1822 -0.03% -
1821 -0.49% -
1820 0.26% -
1819 0.09% -
1818 0.35% -
1817 0.35% -
1816 0.16% -
1815 2.34% -
1814 -0.45% -
1813 -0.37% -
1812 3.47% -
1811 -0.48% -
1810 -3.05% -
1809 -7.65% -
1808 -5.04% -
1807 0.1% -
1806 0.55% -
1805 0.52% -
1804 -0.25% -
1803 11.6% -
1802 2.17% -
1801 0.01% -
1800 -0.44% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1800–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sweden/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2024, Sweden's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.4B, equivalent to 1.72% of GDP. This compares to the United Kingdom's deficit of $212B, or 5.75% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Sweden recorded a fiscal deficit in 45 of those years, while the United Kingdom ran a deficit in 56 years. On average, Sweden posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.73% of GDP for the United Kingdom.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sweden

United Kingdom
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sweden United Kingdom
2024 2.84% 3.27%
2023 8.55% 6.79%
2022 8.37% 7.92%
2021 2.16% 2.52%
2020 0.5% 0.99%
2019 1.78% 1.74%
2018 1.95% 2.29%
2017 1.79% 2.56%
2016 0.98% 1.01%
2015 -0.05% 0.37%
2014 -0.18% 1.45%
2013 -0.04% 2.29%
2012 0.89% 2.57%
2011 2.96% 3.86%
2010 1.16% 2.49%
2009 -0.49% 1.96%
2008 3.44% 3.52%
2007 2.21% 2.39%
2006 1.36% 2.46%
2005 0.45% 2.09%
2004 0.37% 1.39%
2003 1.93% 1.38%
2002 2.16% 1.52%
2001 2.41% 1.53%
2000 0.9% 1.18%
1999 0.46% 1.75%
1998 -0.27% 1.82%
1997 0.66% 2.2%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/sweden/united-kingdom | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sweden has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.76%, compared with 2.4% in the United Kingdom. In 2024, inflation was 2.84% in Sweden and 3.27% in the United Kingdom.

Top exports between countries

Sweden
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $6.04B
Machinery & equipment $3.56B
IT & IP services $2.69B
Transport & tourism services $2.31B
Wood & paper products $1.8B
Raw materials & minerals $1.6B
Chemicals & pharma $910M
Precious metals & jewellery $737M
Metals $611M
Manufacturing & construction services $467M
United Kingdom
Export category Export value
Business & finance services $3.52B
IT & IP services $3.06B
Machinery & equipment $2.11B
Raw materials & minerals $1.48B
Transport & tourism services $1.41B
Metals $736M
Chemicals & pharma $617M
Miscellaneous $487M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $289M
Textiles & consumer goods $246M

Balance of trade

Sweden United Kingdom
Current account balance
$35.8B
2024
-$80.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
17/190
2024
189/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.92%
2024
-2.19%
2024
Goods imports
$188B
2024
$763B
2024
Goods exports
$218B
2024
$494B
2024
Service imports
$126B
2024
$411B
2024
Service exports
$116B
2024
$648B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.6%
2024
31.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.3%
2024
31%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Sweden United Kingdom
Economic freedom 77.8 70.4
Economic freedom ranking 14/197 35/197
Property rights 96.2 93.6
Government integrity 91.6 83
Judicial effectiveness 95.6 83.1
Tax burden 51.6 61.7
Government spending 28.4 41.1
Fiscal health 97.5 32.4
Business freedom 84.8 83.6
Labor freedom 65.8 61.2
Monetary freedom 78.1 71.9
Trade freedom 79.4 82.8
Investment freedom 85 70
Financial freedom 80 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sweden
United Kingdom
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sweden United Kingdom
2026 77.8 70.4
2025 77.9 69.3
2024 77.5 68.6
2023 77.5 69.9
2022 77.9 72.7
2021 74.7 78.4
2020 74.9 79.3
2019 75.2 78.9
2018 76.3 78
2017 74.9 76.4
2016 72 76.4
2015 72.7 75.8
2014 73.1 74.9
2013 72.9 74.8
2012 71.7 74.1
2011 71.9 74.5
2010 72.4 76.5
2009 70.5 79
2008 70.8 79.4
2007 69.3 79.9
2006 70.9 80.4
2005 69.8 79.2
2004 70.1 77.7
2003 70 77.5
2002 70.8 78.5
2001 66.6 77.6
2000 65.1 77.3
1999 64.2 76.2
1998 64 76.5
1997 63.3 76.4
1996 61.8 76.4
1995 61.4 77.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/sweden/united-kingdom | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sweden is 77.8, ranking 14/197, compared to 70.4 for the United Kingdom, ranking 35/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sweden United Kingdom
Services, % of GDP
66.4%
2024
72.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
17.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.42%
2024
0.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$615B
2024
$3.42T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$75,000
2024
$61,460
2024
Total reserves including gold
$62.6B
2024
$175B
2024
Total reserves ranking
37/177
2024
19/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$2.08B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$27B
2024
-$13B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$29.6B
2024
-$72.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2022
18.6%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
19.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/sweden/united-kingdom | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1800–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.