It really is a great video that has a lot of truth to it. Farther down the page he provided a great link to a tonne of facts about Sweden! I thought I would share the facts with you and comment on a few of them. (Facts in blue, my comments in black!)
Sweden is the 3rd largest EU country in land area, after France and Spain.
Sweden is one of the homelands of the Germanic ethnicity and culture. The Goths, the Suevirs and the Norses (Vikings) all trace their origin back to Sweden (as well as Norway and Denmark for the latter).
In the 9th and 10th centuries, Swedish Vikings invaded and settled in parts of Eastern Europe as far as Constantinople and the Caspian Sea. They founded the first kingdom of Russia. All the Tsars of Russia until the last one, Nicholas II, were of Swedish Viking descent.
As of 2006, Sweden had won 588 (winter and summer) Olympic medals, a feat only excelled by 6 much more populous countries (the USA, the USSR, Italy, France, Germany and the UK). Guess Canada has quite a ways to go to get on this list!
In 2010, 2011 and 2012, Sweden was ranked third in the world for the inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (HDI) defined by the United Nations Development Programme
In 2006 Swedish people had the longest life expectancy in Europe (80.51 years). As of 2010 they were fifth (80.88 years), overtaken by Switzerland, Italy, Iceland and France. I must say eating lots of fruits and veggies is not the cause... Maybe it's a sign that carbs help you live longer! That would be fantastic!
Swedish people have the lowest income inequality in the world, with a Gini index of 23 in 2005. Having taken a class on Food Poverty and Hunger this year, I know that this is truly fantastic! Income inequality is a huge part of how poverty and hunger start.
Sweden has the smallest gender employment-rate gap in the developed world, with only 4% more men in employment than women. No stay-at-home moms here!
Swedish women have their first child in average at 30 years old, the oldest in Europe along with Ireland and the Netherlands. I've been told before to have all my kids BEFORE I am thirty! Although, with the previous fact, it is clear women here love to work, and I think it is a good idea to save up before having children (Lord knows they cost you a tonne!)
Sweden has the highest percentage of working mothers in the developed world, no less than 76% of them. I am curious to know when this trend started, and what the levels are of other countries!
The Swedes spend the longest time in tertiary education with an average student age of 25.5 years old.
40% of Swedish women and 32% of Swedish men aged 25 to 64 participate in education or training. Compare it to the EU average is 10% for women and 9% for men. I think this is awesome! I love it when people are keen to learn new things, and aren't stuck thinking their way is the only way.
A 2007 UNICEF report on child well-being in rich countries ranked Sweden as the best country on 3 out of 6 dimensions (children's material well-being, health & safety, and behaviours & risks), and second best country overall after the Netherlands. I guess this is a great place to raise your kids!
As of 2006, Sweden was the most generous country in the world regarding aid to poor countries. It is the only nation where donations exceed 1% of the GDP. I wonder how much better off the world would be if every country gave that much?
The Swedish maternity and paternity leave is one of the longest and most generous in the world, allowing the the father and mother to take a shared total of 480 days (16 months) off at 77.6% of their salary. Maybe this is why the mothers return to work?
As of late 2012, Sweden had obtained 30 Nobel prizes, including 5 Peace prizes. This is the 5th highest number of laureates in the world, and the highest per capita ratio for any country with over 1 million inhabitants. Of course Nobel Prizes are awarded by Sweden (except the Peace Prize, awarded by Norway).
Sweden has the highest number of McDonald restaurants per capita in Europe (although that is only about half of the US ratio). I've only seen one on the island so far...
With 47% of female parliamentarians (in 2006), Sweden has the highest proportion of women lawmakers in the world. WOW! You go girls!!
In 1862, Sweden became the first country to grant suffrage for (married) women, although only for local elections. Yay for women's rights! This was before Canada was even a country!
Sweden is set to become the first country in the world to phase out petrol for biofuel. According to Alex we have 25 years until the earth runs out of oil, so I'd say Sweden is pretty lucky!
Sweden ranks second in Europe (after Finland) in terms of technological achievement. There they are, using their smarts again!
Founded in Stockholm in 1995, the Metro newspapers has quickly become the world's leading free newspaper intended for commuters.As of late 2009, there were 56 daily editions in 19 countries in 15 languages across Europe, North and South America and Asia. I think I've seen these in Toronto! Cool!
Sweden has, along with Denmark and Hungary, the highest standard Value Added Tax rate in the world (25%). Okay this is one downfall of living here. At least the prices are taxes-included, so what you see is what you pay!
Total taxation in Sweden amount to 54.2 % of GDP, the highest level worldwide. One word: Ouch.
Sweden has an excellent reputation as a car maker with Volvo and Saab. Scania trucks are also Swedish.
The world-famous discount furniture chain IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943. Yay for cheap furniture! And a great store to play in ;)
The Swedish company Electrolux holds 28% share of the household appliances market in the world. It owns over 40 brands, including AEG-Electrolux, Zanussi, Eureka and Frigidaire. Another random thing that no one knew was Swedish...
The Stockholm Globe Arena is the world's largest hemispherical building, with a diameter of 110 meters, an inner height of 85 meters, and a total volume of 600,000 m³. It is also the world's largest scale model of the Solar System. Cool!
Sorry there were so many facts... I just couldn't seem to narrow it down; they were all so interesting!
I promise the next post will be awesome and adventure filled, because I am leaving early tomorrow to go to Stockholm for the weekend!
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