Sweden is an innovation leader on its own merits. The country invests heavily in research, encourages critical thinking from an early age and is open to international influences. Sweden is one of the world's most creative countries with the world's highest living standards.
Global Companies: IKEA, Ericsson, Volvo, Tetra Pak, H&M, AAB, Atlas Copco, SKF, Spotify, AstraZeneca, Absolut Vodka, Saab, Skype, Electrolux and many more
Home of the Nobel Prize
Avicii, ABBA, Swedish House Mafia, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ingmar Bergman, Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking, Candy Crush Saga, Minecraft are all Swedish.
99% of all waste is recycled in Sweden.
Sweden's rankings*
1st among 131 in Innovation Capacity Index 2011 (European Business School)
2nd among 141 in Global Innovation Index 2012 (INSEAD)
1st among 27 in Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011 (EU Commission)
1st among 82 in Global Creativity Index 2011 (Martin Prosperity Institute)
*Sweden's position in relation to the number of countries ranked
Sweden excels at environmental technology and sustainable solutions. Many Swedish innovations have become highly successful exports. Often, they address complex global challenges such as poverty alleviation and climate change.
Source: Swedish Institute, 2016