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Government Stats: compare key data on Finland & Sweden

Definitions

  • Administrative divisions: This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted.
  • Capital city > Geographic coordinates: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Capital city > Name: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Constitution: The dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments to a nation's constitution
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Executive branch > Cabinet: Cabinet includes the official name for any body of high-ranking advisers roughly comparable to a U.S. Cabinet. Also notes the method for selection of members.
  • Executive branch > Chief of state: The name and title of any person or role roughly equivalent to a U.S. Chief of State. This means the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government
  • Executive branch > Head of government: Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government.
  • Government type: A description of the basic form of government (e.g., republic, constitutional monarchy, federal republic, parliamentary democracy, military dictatorship).
  • International organization participation: This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way.
  • Judicial branch: The name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members.
  • Legal system: A brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.
  • Legislative branch: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
  • Political parties and leaders: Significant political organizations and their leaders.
  • Suffrage: The age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted
  • Country name > Conventional long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Civil law system: Description.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Executive branch > Elections: Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election
  • Leaders > Prime minister: Government > Leaders > Prime minister
  • National symbol(s): A national symbol is a faunal, floral, or other abstract representation - or some distinctive object - that over time has come to be closely identified with a country or entity. Not all countries have national symbols; a few countries have more than one.
  • Flag description: A written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.
  • Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Country name > Conventional short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Constitutional form: Constitutional form of government.
  • Transnational Issues > Disputes > International: This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government.
  • Total businesses registered > Number: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward.
  • National anthem: A generally patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.
  • Legislative branch > Election results: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
  • Legislative branch > Elections: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
  • Democracy and rights > Press freedom index: Compares countries by their degree of government censorship, according to the Press freedom index. This index, created by the non-governmental organization Reporters without borders (RWS), is ellaborated using data from an extensive annual survey sent to professional reporters throughout the world. The survey contains questions about the type and ownership of media present in the country, freedom of speech, violence exerted against reporters, election campaigns, access of political parties to the media, etc.
  • Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage: Percentage of seats held by women in country's national parliament or legislative houses.
  • Independence: For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. "
  • Executive branch > Election results: Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election (if any)
  • Judicial branch > Subordinate courts: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
  • Basis of executive legitimacy: Basis of executive legitimacy.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Country name > Local short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press: Compares countries by freedom of the press. The lower the score, the more free the press of that country is. The scores are taken from the Freedom of the Press Index, elaborated by Freedom House, self-defined as "an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world". The data used in the index come from an annual survey of media independence in 197 countries and territories, assessing the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in each of them.
  • Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament: Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber occupied by women.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
  • Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote: Percentage of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
  • Democracy > Civil and political liberties: Civil and political liberties
    Units: Index Ranging from 7 (High Levels of Liberties) to 1 (Low
    Units: This is the average of two indicators - civil liberties and political liberties.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars.
  • National holiday: The primary national day of celebration - often independence day.
  • Capital > Geographic coordinates: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Democracy > First female parliamentarian: Year first woman elected or appointed to parliament.
  • Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
  • Democracy and rights > Democracy Index: DI 2012.
  • Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient.
  • Red tape > Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Politics: Country politics.
  • International law organization participation: This entry includes information on a country's acceptance of jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and of the International Criminal Court (ICCt); 55 countries have accepted ICJ jurisdiction with reservations and 11 have accepted ICJ jurisdiction without reservations; 114 countries have accepted ICCt jurisdiction. Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups explains the differing mandates of the ICJ and ICCt.
  • Parliament > Seats held by men: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses.
  • Country name > Local long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  • Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency (years). Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
  • Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Parliament > Seats held by women: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses.
  • Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Israel: Date on which Israel was officially recognized as a state. Note that some countries had a “de facto” recognition in place long before the legal recognition.
  • Democracy > Democratic institutions rating: Democratic institutions
    Units: Scale ranging from -10 (autocratic) to +10 (democratic)
  • UN membership date: Date of United Nations Membership
  • Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people: DI 2012. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Total businesses registered > Number per 1000: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
  • Capital city: The location of the seat of government.
  • Capital > Name: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Legal origin: Legal origin identifies the origin of the Company Law or Commercial Code in each country
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Spending > Expense > Current LCU: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
  • Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure.
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout: The proportion of registered voters who actually voted.
  • Legislature (parliament) > People per member: Number of people each member of the legislature represents on average. The number of members of the legislature is the sum of the members of all chambers of parliament, if applicable.
  • Capital > Time difference: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • International relations: Country international relations.
  • Leaders > Prime minister > Profile: Government > Leaders > Prime minister > Profile
  • Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members: Members of the lower house of the legislature or of the only chamber in a unicameral system.
  • Democracy > Female ministers: Women in government at ministerial level in 2000 (as % of total). Data were provided by states based on their definition of national executive and may therefore include women serving as ministers and vice ministers and those holding other ministerial positions, including parliamentary secretaries.
  • Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
  • Democracy > Female parliamentarians: Seats in parliament held by women (as % of total). Data are as of 8 March 2002. Where there are lower and upper houses, data refer to the weighted average of women's shares of seats in both houses.
  • Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Role of head of state: Head of state.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote): This list shows the percentage of votes obtained by nationalist parties across Europe at the latest  elections held in their respective countries. Note that the percentages show the votes from all the parties combined, and only for general elections (some parties may obtain a quite higher percentage in regional elections). Nationalist parties usually hold right-wing populist views, and among their common demands are a higher control of immigration, extended social/labor rights for country nationals, and a restriction of islamic customs -such as the veil or the construction of mosques-, though their ideologies and goals vary from country to country. Some parties have as their main goal the seggregation of a region from its parent country (with examples in Scotland, Catalonia and Northern Ireland). Most of nationalist parties with elected members in the European Parliament belong to the Europe of Freedom and Democracy group.
  • Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
  • Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong: Strength of legal rights index measures the degree to which collateral and bankruptcy laws protect the rights of borrowers and lenders and thus facilitate lending. The index ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating that these laws are better designed to expand access to credit."
  • Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
  • Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1 $ gross domestic product.
  • Parliament > Seats held by women per million people: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Democracy > Female suffrage: Year in which women received the right to vote. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to vote.
  • Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Leaders > Prime minister > Summary: Government > Leaders > Prime minister > Summary
  • Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Capital > Daylight saving time: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
  • Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties: Absolute number of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
  • Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador: Name of ambassador to the USA.
  • Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
  • Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
  • Failed States Index: FSI 2013.
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age
  • Democracy > Female candidacy: Year in which women received the right to stand for election. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to stand for election.
  • Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration: The number of registered voters. The figure represents the number of names on the voters' register at the time that the registration process closes, as reported by the electoral management body.
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote: The total number of votes cast in the relevant election. Total vote includes valid and invalid votes, as well as blank votes in cases where these are separated from invalid votes. More information on valid, invalid and blank votes can be found at aceproject.org
  • Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
  • Democracy and rights > Electoral system: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of electoral system (First Past the Post electoral system; Single-Member District Plurality, also known as First Past the Post (FPTP): There is one seat per district, the candidate with the most votes wins it; Proportional Representation: There are multiple seats for each voting district, allocation is based on either party lists, multi-member proportional (MMP), single transferable vote (STV) or semi-PR; FrenchTtwo-RoundSsystem; Alternative Vote (AV)).
  • Procedures to register property > Number: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
  • Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes: January 1, 2005
  • Democracy and rights > Party system: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of party system (two-party or multi-party).
  • Democracy and rights > Structure: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of structure (presidential or parliamentary).
  • Democracy and rights > Last election: Last election.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Statements on the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia issued by countries who do not recognize their sovereignty.
  • Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo: Date on which Kosovo was officially recognized as a state.
  • Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
  • Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament: Number of members of the legislature (sum of members of all chambers of parliament where applicable).
  • Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
  • Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > %: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber held by women.
  • European Union > Council of the European Union votes: Number of votes each member state of the European Union has in the Council of the European Union.
  • Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours: Time to prepare and pay taxes is the time, in hours per year, it takes to prepare, file, and pay (or withhold) three major types of taxes: the corporate income tax, the value added or sales tax, and labor taxes, including payroll taxes and social security contributions.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars.
  • Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.
  • Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
  • Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes: January 1, 2007
  • Capital city > Time difference: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  • Council of EU > 2003 > Country votes: January 1, 2003
  • Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader: January 1, 2005
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant local currency.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
  • Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader: January 1, 2007
  • Trademarks > Residents > Per capita: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
  • Council of EU > 2002 > Country leader: January 1, 2002
  • Spending > Other expense > Current LCU: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
  • Council of EU > 2001 > Country leader: January 1, 2001
  • Council of EU > 2002 > European party of leader: January 1, 2002
  • Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
  • Trademarks > Residents per million: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Ruling party: In power now.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Council of EU > 2001 > Country votes: January 1, 2001
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth: Annual percentage growth of general government final consumption expenditure based on constant local currency. Aggregates are based on constant 2000 U.S. dollars. General government final consumption expenditure (general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation.
  • Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
  • Trademarks > Nonresidents: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment.
  • Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Foreign relations > Date of establishment of relations with China: The date on which each country established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.
  • Democracy and rights > Strong judicial review?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of judicial review, which is the power to declare unconstitutional laws duly passed by parliament and/or signed by the president. (As distinct from the ability to strike down acts of subordinate governments, such as states or provinces. (Strong judicial review or no strong judicial review).
  • Democracy and rights > Strongly federal?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of federalism (strongly federal or not strongly federal).
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
  • Trademarks > Residents: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment.
  • Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
  • Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes: January 1, 2006
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Parliament (legislature) > Women's share of lower house seats: Lower or Single House.
  • Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Council of EU > January–April 2004 > European party of leader: January 1, 2004
  • Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader: January 1, 2007
  • Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Invalid votes: The number of invalid votes, as reported by each country.
  • General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current local currency.
  • Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  • Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.
  • Parliament > Seats held by men per million people: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Democracy and rights > Next election: Next election.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
  • Spending > Interest payments > % of expense: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
  • Spending > Other expense > % of expense: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
  • Procedures to register property > Number per million: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Spending > Expense > % of GDP: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
  • Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader: January 1, 2005
  • Legislature (parliament) > Strongly bicameral?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of bicameralism, determing if there are two houses in the legislature, both with substantial powers. (Strongly bicameral or not strongly bicameral).
  • Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members: Members of the lower (or sole) house.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
STAT Finland Sweden HISTORY
Administrative divisions 19 regions (maakunnat, singular - maakunta (Finnish); landskapen, singular - landskapet (Swedish)); Aland (Swedish), Ahvenanmaa (Finnish); Etela-Karjala (Finnish), Sodra Karelen (Swedish) [South Karelia]; Etela-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Sodra Osterbotten (Swedish) [South Ostrobothnia]; Etela-Savo (Finnish), Sodra Savolax (Swedish) [South Savo]; Kanta-Hame (Finnish), Egentliga Tavastland (Swedish); Kainuu (Finnish), Kajanaland (Swedish); Keski-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Mellersta Osterbotten (Swedish) [Central Ostrobothnia]; Keski-Suomi (Finnish), Mellersta Finland (Swedish) [Central Finland]; Kymenlaakso (Finnish), Kymmenedalen (Swedish); Lappi (Finnish), Lappland (Swedish); Paijat-Hame (Finnish), Paijanne-Tavastland (Swedish); Pirkanmaa (Finnish), Birkaland (Swedish) [Tampere]; Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Osterbotten (Swedish) [Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Karjala (Finnish), Norra Karelen (Swedish) [North Karelia]; Pohjois-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Norra Osterbotten (Swedish) [North Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Savo (Finnish), Norra Savolax (Swedish) [North Savo]; Satakunta (Finnish and Swedish); Uusimaa (Finnish), Nyland (Swedish) [Newland]; Varsinais-Suomi (Finnish), Egentliga Finland (Swedish) [Southwest Finland] 21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland
Capital city > Geographic coordinates 60 10 N, 24 56 E 59 20 N, 18 03 E
Capital city > Name Helsinki Stockholm
Constitution 1 March 2000 1 January 1975
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address APO AE 09723 American Embassy Stockholm, US Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
Executive branch > Chief of state President Sauli NIINISTO (since 1 March 2012) King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977)
Executive branch > Head of government Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 22 June 2011) Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT (since 5 October 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Jan BJORKLUND (since 5 October 2010)
Government type republic constitutional monarchy
International organization participation ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EITI (implementing country), ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch general courts - deal with criminal and civil cases (include district courts, Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus, whose judges are appointed by the president); administrative courts Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen; Supreme Administrative Court note: the Supreme Court is the highest court of general jurisdiction and the Supreme Administrative Court is the highest administrative court
Legal system civil law system based on the Swedish model civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and customary law
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta unicameral Parliament or Riksdag
Political parties and leaders Center Party or Kesk [Juha SIPILA]<br />Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]<br />Green League or Vihr [Ville NIINISTO]<br />Left Alliance or Vas [Paavo ARHINMAKI]<br />National Coalition Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]<br />Social Democratic Party or SDP [Jutta URPILAINEN]<br />Swedish People's Party or SFP [Carl HAGLUND]<br />The Finns Party or TF [Timo SOINI] Center Party (Centerpartiet) or C [Annie LOOF]<br />Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna) or KD [Goran HAGGLUND]<br />Green Party (Miljopartiet de Grona); [spokespersons Asa ROMSON and Gustav FRIDOLIN]<br />Left Party (Vansterpartiet) (formerly Communist Party) or V [Jonas SJOSTEDT]<br />Liberal People's Party (Folkpartiet) or FP [Jan BJORKLUND]<br />Moderate Party (Moderaterna) [Fredrik REINFELDT]<br />Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokraterna) or SAP [Stefan LOFVEN]<br />Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna) or SD [Jimmie AKESSON]
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Country name > Conventional long form Republic of Finland Kingdom of Sweden
Civil law system Civil law system based on Swedish law Scandinavian-German civil law. Like all Scandinavian legal systems, it is distinguished by its traditional character and for the fact that it did not adopt elements of Roman law. It is indeed worth mentioning that it assimilated very few elements of foreign laws whatsoever. It is also interesting that the Napoleonic Code had no influence in codification of law in Scandinavia. The historical basis of the law of Sweden, just as for all Nordic countries, is Old German law. Codification of the law started in Sweden during the 18th century, preceding the codifications of most other European countries. However, neither Sweden, nor any other Nordic state created a civil code of the kind of the Code Civil or the BGB.
Executive branch > Elections president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 5 February 2012 (next to be held in February 2018); the parliament elects a prime minister who is then appointed to office by the president the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister
Leaders > Prime minister Jyrki Katainen Fredrik Reinfeldt
National symbol(s) lion three crowns; lion
Flag description white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the blue represents the thousands of lakes scattered across the country, while the white is for the snow that covers the land in winter blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors reflect those of the Swedish coat of arms - three gold crowns on a blue field
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days 14
Ranked 108th.
16
Ranked 91st. 14% more than Finland

Country name > Conventional short form Finland Sweden
Constitutional form Republic Constitutional monarchy
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands none
Total businesses registered > Number 250,873
Ranked 33th.
295,197
Ranked 32nd. 18% more than Finland

National anthem <strong>name: </strong>"Maamme" (Our Land)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Johan Ludvig RUNEBERG/Fredrik PACIUS <strong>name: </strong>"Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Richard DYBECK/traditional
FAX 358 46
Legislative branch > Election results percent of vote by party - Kok 20.4%, SDP 19.1%, TF 19.1%, Kesk 15.8%, Vas 8.1%, Vihr 7.3%, SFP 4.3%, KD 4%, other 1.9%; seats by party - Kok 44, SDP 42, TF 39, Kesk 35, Vas 14, Vihr 10, SFP 9, KD 6, other 1 (the constituency of Aland) percent of vote by party - SAP 30.7%, Moderate Party 30.1%, Green Party 7.3%, FP 7.1%, C 6.6%, SD 5.7%, KD 5.6%, V 5.6%, others 1.3%; seats by party - SAP 112, Moderate Party 107, Green Party 25, FP 24, C 23, SD 20, KD 19, V 19
Legislative branch > Elections last held on 17 April 2011 (next to be held in April 2015) last held on 19 September 2010 (next to be held in September 2014)
Democracy and rights > Press freedom index 6.38
Ranked 34th.
9.23
Ranked 27th. 45% more than Finland
Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage 42.5%
Ranked 7th.
44.7%
Ranked 4th. 5% more than Finland

Independence 6 December 1917 (from Russia) 6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)
Executive branch > Election results percent of vote - Sauli NIINISTO (Kok) 36.96%, Pekka HAAVISTO (Vihr) 18.76%, Paavo VAYRYNEN (Kesk) 17.53%, Timo SOINI (TF) 9.4%, Paavo LIPPONEN (SDP) 6.7%, Paavo ARHINMÄKI (Vas) 5.48%, Eva BIAUDET (SFP) 2.7%, Sari ESSAYAH (KD) 2.47%; a runoff election between NIINISTO and HAAVISTO was held 5 February 2012 - NIINISTO 62.59%, HAAVISTO 37.41%; Jyrki KATAINEN elected prime minister; election results 118-72 Fredrik REINFELDT elected prime minister with 175 out of 349 votes
Judicial branch > Subordinate courts 6 first instance and appellate general and administrative courts; specialized courts that handle cases such as land and environment, immigration, labor, markets, and patents
Basis of executive legitimacy Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
Country name > Local short form Suomi/Finland Sverige
Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press 10
Ranked 193th. The same as Sweden
10
Ranked 192nd.
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament 38%
Ranked 4th.
47.3%
Ranked 2nd. 24% more than Finland

Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-11589 Stockholm
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number 3
Ranked 177th. The same as Sweden
3
Ranked 171st.

Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote 19.1%
Ranked 4th. 3 times more than Sweden
5.7%
Ranked 2nd.
Democracy > Civil and political liberties 6
Ranked 12th. The same as Sweden
6
Ranked 5th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ 43.53 billion$
Ranked 22nd.
97.37 billion$
Ranked 11th. 2 times more than Finland

National holiday Independence Day, 6 December Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916); National Day, 6 June (1983)
Capital > Geographic coordinates 60 10 N, 24 56 E 59 20 N, 18 03 E
Democracy > First female parliamentarian 1907 (elected) 1921 (elected)
Time required to start a business > Days 14 days
Ranked 148th.
16 days
Ranked 142nd. 14% more than Finland

Democracy > Gender Parity Index in primary level enrolment 0.993
Ranked 48th.
1
Ranked 24th. 1% more than Finland

Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court judges appointed by the president of the republic; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65 Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court justices nominated by the Board of Judges, a 9-member nominating body consisting of high-level judges, prosecutors, and members of Parliament; justices appointed by the Government; following a probationary period, justices' appointments are permanent
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index 9.06
Ranked 9th.
9.73
Ranked 2nd. 7% more than Finland
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient 6.1
Ranked 3rd. 11% more than Sweden
5.5
Ranked 7th.

Red tape > Time required to register property > Days 14
Ranked 153th.
28
Ranked 110th. Twice as much as Finland

Politics PM Jyrki Katainen&#039;s conservative National Coalition Party is the largest single group in parliament. Conservative President Sauli Niinisto is head of state Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt from the centre-right Alliance for Sweden heads a coalition government
International law organization participation accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Parliament > Seats held by men 115
Ranked 85th.
193
Ranked 51st. 68% more than Finland

Country name > Local long form Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland Konungariket Sverige
Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years 0.9
Ranked 165th.
2
Ranked 102nd. 2 times more than Finland

Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million 0.554
Ranked 110th. 76% more than Sweden
0.315
Ranked 131st.

Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery None The House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission Ambassador Ritva KOUKKU-RONDE (since 1 September 2011) Ambassador Bjorn O. LYRVALL
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone [358] (9) 616250 [46] (08) 783 53 00
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission Ambassador Bruce J. ORECK (since 12 August 2009) Ambassador Mark BRZEZINSKI
Parliament > Seats held by women 85
Ranked 22nd.
156
Ranked 7th. 84% more than Finland

Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Israel None
None
Democracy > Democratic institutions rating 10
Ranked 27th. The same as Sweden
10
Ranked 8th.
UN membership date 14 Dec. 1955 19 Nov. 1946
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people 1.67
Ranked 9th. 64% more than Sweden
1.02
Ranked 12th.
Total businesses registered > Number per 1000 48.12
Ranked 26th. 46% more than Sweden
32.95
Ranked 36th.

Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number 16
Ranked 70th. 2 times more than Sweden
7
Ranked 182nd.

Capital city Helsinki Stockholm
Capital > Name Helsinki Stockholm
Legal origin <a href=/encyclopedia/Nordic-countries>Nordic</a> <a href=/encyclopedia/Nordic-countries>Nordic</a>
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita 8,297.72$ per capita
Ranked 7th.
10,790.5$ per capita
Ranked 5th. 30% more than Finland

Spending > Expense > Current LCU 64.68 billion
Ranked 57th.
1.02 trillion
Ranked 19th. 16 times more than Finland

Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days 42
Ranked 166th.
52
Ranked 153th. 24% more than Finland

Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout 65.3%
Ranked 95th.
80.1%
Ranked 43th. 23% more than Finland
Legislature (parliament) > People per member 26,735
Ranked 84th. About the same as Sweden
26,654
Ranked 85th.
Capital > Time difference UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
International relations Finland is one of four EU countries not in Nato. Its military is active in peacekeeping operations Sweden joined the EU in 1995. Though a famously neutral country, a security doctrine has allowed for the deployment of Swedish forces overseas
Leaders > Prime minister > Profile <p>Mr Katainen&#039;s conservative National Coalition Party emerged as the largest single group in parliament in the April 2011 elections.</p><p>He formed a grand coalition in June with six other parties from the left and centre, including the Social Democrats.</p> <p>The new opposition is the populist True Finns party, which refused to join the government in protest at its support for a bailout for Portugal during the debt crisis.</p> <p>Born in 1971, Mr Katainen worked as a teacher before being elected a councillor in 1993. He entered parliament in 1999 and became party leader in 2004.</p> <p>He served as deputy prime minister and finance minister in the previous two Centre-Party-led coalition governments between 2007 and 2011.</p> <p>The Alliance for Sweden, a centre-right coalition headed by Moderate Party leader Fredrik Reinfeldt, came to power at elections in September 2006, ending 10 years of rule by the Social Democrat Party.</p> <p>Governing with a slim seven-seat majority in its first term, Mr Reinfeldt&#039;s government cut income taxes, trimmed benefits and sold off state assets.</p> <p>Buoyed by Sweden&#039;s rapid economic recovery from the 2008 , Mr Reinfeldt looked assured to win a second term ahead of elections in 2010 and become the first centre-right PM to be re-elected since World War II.</p> <p>However, his Alliance for Sweden fell short of an overall majority by two seats, and Mr Reinfeldt formed a minority coalition government. The anti-immigration Swedish Democrats became Sweden&#039;s first far right party to win seats in parliament.</p> <p>The opposition centre-left Social Democrats, who governed Sweden for much of the period since World War II, suffered a painful slump in support.</p> <p>After becoming party leader of the right-wing Moderate Party in 2003, Mr Reinfeldt moved it towards the political centre, toning down its criticism of Sweden&#039;s welfare state and adopting a consensual approach. He supports Sweden&#039;s entry into Nato, provided there is cross-party support.</p> <p>Born in 1965, Fredrik Reinfeldt joined his party&#039;s youth wing in 1991. </p>
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million 7.76
Ranked 109th. 42% more than Sweden
5.46
Ranked 125th.

Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members 200
Ranked 50th.
349
Ranked 32nd. 75% more than Finland
Democracy > Female ministers 9.7%
Ranked 80th.
17.6%
Ranked 45th. 81% more than Finland
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days 375
Ranked 162nd. 19% more than Sweden
314
Ranked 172nd.

Democracy > Female parliamentarians 36.5%
Ranked 3rd.
42.7%
Ranked 1st. 17% more than Finland
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number 3
Ranked 173th. 3 times more than Sweden
1
Ranked 181st.

Role of head of state Ceremonial Ceremonial
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita 8,297.72$
Ranked 7th.
10,783.89$
Ranked 5th. 30% more than Finland

Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote) 19.1%
Ranked 4th. 3 times more than Sweden
5.7%
Ranked 2nd.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number 3
Ranked 166th. The same as Sweden
3
Ranked 164th.

Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong 7
Ranked 60th. 40% more than Sweden
5
Ranked 88th.

Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million 1.13
Ranked 40th. 95% more than Sweden
0.578
Ranked 58th.

Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU 46.16 billion
Ranked 50th.
713.23 billion
Ranked 13th. 15 times more than Finland

Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU 6.5 billion
Ranked 65th.
108.18 billion
Ranked 29th. 17 times more than Finland

General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP 0.225$ per $1 of GDP
Ranked 24th.
0.272$ per $1 of GDP
Ranked 10th. 21% more than Finland

Parliament > Seats held by women per million people 16.14
Ranked 26th.
17.11
Ranked 23th. 6% more than Finland

Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment September 21, 1974 June 10, 1960
Democracy > Female suffrage 1906 "1861 ,1921"
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days 66
Ranked 177th.
116
Ranked 126th. 76% more than Finland

Leaders > Prime minister > Summary Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen is a former teacher Fredrik Reinfeldt is in his second term of office
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million 6.09
Ranked 83th. 93% more than Sweden
3.15
Ranked 112th.

Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million 2.59
Ranked 83th. 54% more than Sweden
1.68
Ranked 102nd.

Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million 2.59
Ranked 105th.
3.15
Ranked 99th. 22% more than Finland

Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million 12.19
Ranked 107th. The same as Sweden
12.19
Ranked 108th.

Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million 2.96
Ranked 75th. 4 times more than Sweden
0.736
Ranked 129th.

Capital > Daylight saving time +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita 48.12 per 1,000 people
Ranked 27th. 46% more than Sweden
32.96 per 1,000 people
Ranked 36th.

Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU 2.35 billion
Ranked 58th.
43.2 billion
Ranked 26th. 18 times more than Finland

Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties 560,075
Ranked 13th. 65% more than Sweden
339,610
Ranked 18th.
Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador Koukku-Ronde, Ritva Ritva Koukku-Ronde Hafström, Jonas Jonas Hafström
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people 0.373
Ranked 29th.
1.01
Ranked 17th. 3 times more than Finland
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons 2,017
Ranked 32nd.
9,596
Ranked 15th. 5 times more than Finland
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita 5,297.22 constant 2000 US$ per c
Ranked 8th.
7,411.33 constant 2000 US$ per c
Ranked 5th. 40% more than Finland

Time required to build a warehouse > Days 56 days
Ranked 166th.
116 days
Ranked 141st. 2 times more than Finland

Failed States Index 18
Ranked 33th.
19.7
Ranked 32nd. 9% more than Finland
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population 4.16 million
Ranked 77th.
6.92 million
Ranked 58th. 66% more than Finland
Bicycle helmets > Legislation > Bicycle helmet legislation > Date enacted 2003 2005
Democracy > Female candidacy 1,906
Ranked 159th.
1,907
Ranked 157th. The same as Finland
Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000 0.138
Ranked 27th.
0.161
Ranked 36th. 17% more than Finland

Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita 0.138 per 1,000 people
Ranked 27th.
0.161 per 1,000 people
Ranked 34th. 17% more than Finland

Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment February 19, 1992 January 29, 1992
National anthem > Name "Maamme" (Our Land) "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Votes 7
Ranked 20th.
10
Ranked 15th. 43% more than Finland
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration 4.15 million
Ranked 73th.
6.72 million
Ranked 53th. 62% more than Finland
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote 2.71 million
Ranked 68th.
5.39 million
Ranked 45th. 99% more than Finland
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita 0.571 per 1 million people
Ranked 112th. 72% more than Sweden
0.332 per 1 million people
Ranked 132nd.

Time required to enforce a contract > Days 228 days
Ranked 154th. 10% more than Sweden
208 days
Ranked 159th.

Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Democracy and rights > Electoral system PR (list) PR (list)
Procedures to register property > Number 3
Ranked 157th. 3 times more than Sweden
1
Ranked 165th.

Procedures to build a warehouse > Number 17
Ranked 88th. 2 times more than Sweden
8
Ranked 164th.

Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes 7
Ranked 19th.
10
Ranked 14th. 43% more than Finland
Democracy and rights > Party system Multi Multi
Democracy and rights > Structure Parliamentary Parliamentary
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Votes 7
Ranked 20th.
10
Ranked 15th. 43% more than Finland
Democracy and rights > Last election April 2011 September 2010
Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said that "the recognition of independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates fundamental OSCE principles. As all OSCE participating States, Russia is committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others. Russia should follow OSCE principles by respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. Russia should immediately withdraw all troops from Georgia and implement the ceasefire agreement, including the modalities defined in the 16 August 2008 letter of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The international community cannot accept unilaterally established buffer zones". Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt condemned Russia's recognition, saying that "the Russian government leadership now has chosen this route means they have chosen a policy of confrontation, not only with the rest of Europe, but also with the international community in general". Carl Bildt predicted that the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is likely to be followed by only a "miserable" lot of other countries, such as Belarus , Syria , Cuba and Venezuela . Bildt also said that "South Ossetian independence is a joke. We are talking about a smugglers' paradise of 60,000 people financed by the Russian security services. No one can seriously consider that as an independent state". In December 2009, Carl Bildt said that "this idea of South Ossetia's independence is increasingly seen as bad joke in Moscow, which it obviously is.".
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo None
None
Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue 3.21%
Ranked 57th.
3.88%
Ranked 51st. 21% more than Finland

Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament 200
Ranked 57th.
349
Ranked 36th. 75% more than Finland
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense 71.36%
Ranked 6th. 2% more than Sweden
69.72%
Ranked 11th.

Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > % 42.5%
Ranked 7th.
44.7%
Ranked 4th. 5% more than Finland

Parties in the European Council during 2006 > Leaders > January 1 > 2006 > Votes 7
Ranked 18th.
10
Ranked 13th. 43% more than Finland
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Leader Matti Vanhanen GÇôran Persson
Parties in the European Council during 2002 > Leaders > January 1 > 2002 > Votes 3
Ranked 13th.
4
Ranked 9th. 33% more than Finland
European Union > Council of the European Union votes 7
Ranked 22nd.
10
Ranked 16th. 43% more than Finland
Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours 264 hours
Ranked 80th. 2 times more than Sweden
122 hours
Ranked 136th.

General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ 27.79 billion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 22nd.
66.88 billion constant 2000 US$
Ranked 11th. 2 times more than Finland

Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita 0.571 per 1 million people
Ranked 87th. 5 times more than Sweden
0.111 per 1 million people
Ranked 146th.

Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita 5.14 per 1 million people
Ranked 74th. 2 times more than Sweden
2.1 per 1 million people
Ranked 110th.

Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > National party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_Party_%28Finland%29">Centre Party</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moderate_Party">Moderates</a>
Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU 6.31 billion
Ranked 60th.
117.73 billion
Ranked 20th. 19 times more than Finland

Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > National party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_Party_%28Finland%29">Centre Party</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moderate_Party">Moderates</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2007 > Leaders > January 1 > 2007 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2009 > Leaders > January 1 > 2009 > Leader Matti Vanhanen Fredrik Reinfeldt
Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > Votes 7
Ranked 20th.
10
Ranked 15th. 43% more than Finland
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2000 > Leaders > January 1 > 2000 > Leader Paavo Lipponen GÇôran Persson
Parties in the European Council between January and April 2004 > Leaders > January 1 > 2004 > Leader Matti Vanhanen GÇôran Persson
National anthem > Note in use since 1848; although never officially adopted by law, the anthem has been popular since it was first sung by a student group in 1848; Estonia's anthem uses the same melody as that of Finland in use since 1844; the anthem, also known as "Sang till Norden" (Song of the North), is based on a Swedish folk tune; it has never been officially adopted by the government; "Kungssangen" (The King's Song) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number 33
Ranked 148th. 10% more than Sweden
30
Ranked 166th.

Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million 0.554
Ranked 94th. 5 times more than Sweden
0.105
Ranked 163th.

Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX [1] (202) 298-6030 [1] (202) 467-2699
Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes 7
Ranked 21st.
10
Ranked 16th. 43% more than Finland
Capital city > Time difference UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Council of EU > 2003 > Country votes 3
Ranked 14th.
4
Ranked 10th. 33% more than Finland
Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader Matti Vanhanen Göran Persson
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU 30163000000 612769000000
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2003 > Leaders > January 1 > 2003 > European party <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Votes 7
Ranked 18th.
10
Ranked 13th. 43% more than Finland
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita 5,297.22 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 7th.
7,406.79 constant 2000 US$
Ranked 5th. 40% more than Finland

Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader Matti Vanhanen Fredrik Reinfeldt
Trademarks > Residents > Per capita 0.497 per 1,000 people
Ranked 26th.
0.742 per 1,000 people
Ranked 16th. 49% more than Finland

Council of EU > 2002 > Country leader Paavo Lipponen Göran Persson
Spending > Other expense > Current LCU 5.03 billion
Ranked 50th.
70.95 billion
Ranked 21st. 14 times more than Finland

Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Leader Matti Vanhanen Fredrik Reinfeldt
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Leader Mari Kiviniemi Fredrik Reinfeldt
Council of EU > 2001 > Country leader Paavo Lipponen Göran Persson
Council of EU > 2002 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Time to resolve insolvency > Years 0.9 years
Ranked 145th.
2 years
Ranked 107th. 2 times more than Finland

Trademarks > Residents per million 496.92
Ranked 26th.
742.25
Ranked 18th. 49% more than Finland

Ruling party National Coalition Moderate Party /Coal.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million 3.23
Ranked 64th. 4 times more than Sweden
0.881
Ranked 114th.

Council of EU > 2001 > Country votes 3
Ranked 14th.
4
Ranked 10th. 33% more than Finland
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth 1.53%
Ranked 78th. 2 times more than Sweden
0.73%
Ranked 91st.

Time required to register property > Days 14 days
Ranked 144th. 7 times more than Sweden
2 days
Ranked 163th.

Trademarks > Nonresidents 722
Ranked 36th.
1,433
Ranked 36th. 98% more than Finland

Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million 5.13
Ranked 72nd. 2 times more than Sweden
2.09
Ranked 110th.

Stabilisation and Association process > Stabilisation and Association process > Republic of > Macedonia 6.1.2004 25.6.2002
Stabilisation and Association process > Croatia 6.1.2004 27.3.2003
Foreign relations > Date of establishment of relations with China October 28, 1950 May 9, 1950
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > Votes 3
Ranked 13th.
4
Ranked 9th. 33% more than Finland
Democracy and rights > Strong judicial review? No No
Democracy and rights > Strongly federal? No No
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general Los Angeles, New York Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million 0.57
Ranked 113th. 72% more than Sweden
0.33
Ranked 131st.

Procedures to enforce a contract > Number 27
Ranked 119th. 42% more than Sweden
19
Ranked 159th.

Trademarks > Residents 2,598
Ranked 28th.
6,603
Ranked 25th. 3 times more than Finland

Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita 3.23 per 1 million people
Ranked 65th. 4 times more than Sweden
0.884 per 1 million people
Ranked 117th.

Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes 7
Ranked 19th.
10
Ranked 14th. 43% more than Finland
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000 797.21
Ranked 14th. 3% more than Sweden
771.97
Ranked 23th.
Parliament (legislature) > Women's share of lower house seats 42.5%
Ranked 7th.
44.7%
Ranked 4th. 5% more than Finland
FAX > Consulate(s) general Los Angeles, New York New York
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX [358] (9) 6162 5800 [46] (08) 661 19 64
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > Leader Paavo Lipponen GÇôran Persson
Council of EU > January&ndash;April 2004 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Invalid votes 1%
Ranked 91st.
1.5%
Ranked 76th. 50% more than Finland
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU 35003000000 727685000000
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone [1] (202) 298-5800 [1] (202) 467-2600
Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense 9.76%
Ranked 64th.
11.51%
Ranked 55th. 18% more than Finland

Parties in the European Council during 2002 > Leaders > January 1 > 2002 > Leader Paavo Lipponen GÇôran Persson
Parliament > Seats held by men per million people 21.84
Ranked 73th. 3% more than Sweden
21.16
Ranked 76th.

Democracy and rights > Next election April 2015 September 2014
Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense 10.05%
Ranked 80th.
10.57%
Ranked 77th. 5% more than Finland

Spending > Interest payments > % of expense 3.63%
Ranked 54th.
4.22%
Ranked 49th. 16% more than Finland

Spending > Other expense > % of expense 7.78%
Ranked 28th. 12% more than Sweden
6.94%
Ranked 35th.

Procedures to register property > Number per million 0.57
Ranked 85th. 5 times more than Sweden
0.11
Ranked 148th.

Spending > Expense > % of GDP 35.12%
Ranked 25th. 10% more than Sweden
31.83%
Ranked 33th.

Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Legislature (parliament) > Strongly bicameral? No No
Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members 4
Ranked 164th. The same as Sweden
4
Ranked 129th.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million 69.26
Ranked 91st. 2 times more than Sweden
32.99
Ranked 125th.

SOURCES: CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Wikipedia: List of national legal systems (Civil law); British Broadcasting Corporation 2014; World Bank, Doing Business project (http://www.doingbusiness.org/).; Wikipedia: List of countries by system of government (Alphabetical list of countries); All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; World Development Indicators database; Wikipedia: Censorship by country (Censorship by country) ("Press Freedom Index 2013" , Reporters Without Borders, 30 January 2013); United Nations Statistics Division; "2012 Freedom of the Press Data" , Freedom House, 1 May 2012; Wikipedia: List of active nationalist parties in Europe (National); Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2000-2001, New York: Freedom House, 2001; IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 1995. Women in Parliaments 1945-1995: A World Statistical Survey. Geneva and IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 2001. 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Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005; International Monetary Fund, Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files.; Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance 2003; Wikipedia: List of legislatures by number of members; IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 2001. Correspondence on women in government at the ministerial level. March. Geneva; calculated on the basis of data on parliamentary seats from IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 2002. Parline Database. March 2002; World Economic Forum, Global Competiveness Report and data files. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. 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