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Sweden in focus

Mixed practice questions on Swedish society and democracy

Prepare for the Swedish citizenship civic test with practice questions and explanations about Sweden in focus.

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Practice questions and answers

1. How far is it between Sweden's northernmost point (Treriksröset) and southernmost point (Smygehuk)?

  1. About 1,000 kilometers
  2. About 1,200 kilometers
  3. About 1,600 kilometers
  4. About 2,000 kilometers
Show answer and explanation

About 1,600 kilometers

Sweden is an elongated country that stretches approximately 1,600 kilometers from the northernmost point Treriksröset to the southernmost point Smygehuk.

2. What are Sweden's two largest islands?

  1. Orust and Tjörn
  2. Hisingen and Värmdö
  3. Gotland and Öland
  4. Alnön and Visingsö
Show answer and explanation

Gotland and Öland

Gotland and Öland are Sweden's two largest islands, both located in the Baltic Sea on the country's eastern coast.

3. What are the names of the seas on the east and west coasts of Sweden?

  1. The Baltic Sea to the east, the Skagerrak and the Kattegat to the west
  2. The North Sea in the east, the Baltic Sea in the west
  3. The Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Gulf of Bothnia to the west
  4. The Barents Sea to the east, the Norwegian Sea to the west
Show answer and explanation

The Baltic Sea to the east, the Skagerrak and the Kattegat to the west

The sea on the east coast is called the Baltic Sea, while the seas on the west coast are called Skagerrak and Kattegatt.

4. Why does Sweden have a relatively mild climate despite its northern location?

  1. Because of winds from Siberia
  2. Because of the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Current
  3. Because of the greenhouse effect on the Arctic Circle
  4. Because of the country's many hot springs
Show answer and explanation

Because of the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Current

The Gulf Stream transports warm water from the Gulf of Mexico towards Europe, which warms the air and gives Sweden a much milder climate than other places at the same latitude.

5. Which five countries are part of the Nordic region?

  1. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland
  2. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia and Latvia
  3. Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany and Great Britain
  4. Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Greenland
Show answer and explanation

Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland

The Nordic countries include five countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Sweden is the largest country in the Nordic region by surface area.

6. What shaped the Swedish landscape approximately 10,000 years ago?

  1. Volcanic eruption
  2. Earthquake
  3. A several kilometer thick ice during the Ice Age
  4. Early human agriculture
Show answer and explanation

A several kilometer thick ice during the Ice Age

During the Ice Age, Sweden was covered by a thick layer of ice. When the ice melted away about 10,000 years ago, it left traces such as lakes, archipelagos and plains.

7. What is the name of Sweden's highest mountain?

  1. Sarektjåhkkå
  2. Kebnekaise
  3. Helags
  4. The vein cut
Show answer and explanation

Kebnekaise

Kebnekaise is Sweden's highest mountain, located in the mountains of Norrland, and is approximately 2,000 meters high.

8. Approximately how much of Sweden's surface is covered by forest?

  1. About 25 percent
  2. About 40 percent
  3. More than half (about 70 percent)
  4. About 90 percent
Show answer and explanation

More than half (about 70 percent)

More than half (about 70 percent) of Sweden's total area is covered by forest, which makes the forest industry one of the country's most important industries.

9. What type of forest is most common in the northern part of Sweden where the climate is colder?

  1. Deciduous forest with oak and beech
  2. Conifers such as spruce and pine
  3. Rainforest
  4. Mixed forest with birch and maple
Show answer and explanation

Conifers such as spruce and pine

In northern Sweden, mostly conifers such as spruce and pine grow. Further south where the climate is milder, deciduous trees are more common.

10. What are Sweden's three largest lakes?

  1. Vänern, Vättern and Mälaren
  2. Siljan, Hjälmaren and Storsjön
  3. Vänern, Torneträsk and Hornavan
  4. Vättern, Mälaren and Bolmen
Show answer and explanation

Vänern, Vättern and Mälaren

The three largest lakes in Sweden are Vänern, Vättern and Mälaren, scattered in the southern and central part of the country.

11. What is a sea area with many islands close to land called, which can be found in several places along the coast of Sweden?

  1. Fjord
  2. Archipelago
  3. Plain
  4. Limestone cliff
Show answer and explanation

Archipelago

An archipelago is an area of ​​sea with thousands of islands close to land. There are archipelagos in, among other places, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Bohuslän.

12. Which part of Sweden covers more than half of the country's surface?

  1. Götaland
  2. Svealland
  3. Norrland
  4. Scania
Show answer and explanation

Norrland

Sweden is divided into Götaland, Svealand and Norrland. Norrland is located in the north and covers more than half of Sweden's surface.

13. How many provinces is Sweden divided into?

  1. 10 landscapes
  2. 21 landscapes
  3. 25 landscapes
  4. 290 landscapes
Show answer and explanation

25 landscapes

Sweden is divided into 25 provinces. Today, the landscapes have no political significance for how the country is governed, but have historical and cultural significance.

14. How many counties and municipalities is Sweden divided into for governance and administration?

  1. 25 counties and 290 municipalities
  2. 21 counties and 290 municipalities
  3. 21 counties and 100 municipalities
  4. 15 counties and 200 municipalities
Show answer and explanation

21 counties and 290 municipalities

Sweden is divided into 21 counties (regional state level) and 290 municipalities (local level) for administrative control.

15. Approximately what percentage of Sweden's population lives in cities?

  1. About 50 percent
  2. About 65 percent
  3. About 85 percent
  4. About 95 percent
Show answer and explanation

About 85 percent

The population is unevenly distributed, and approximately 85 percent of Sweden's population lives in cities and towns, especially in the southern parts.

16. Which are Sweden's three largest cities where almost four million people live in total?

  1. Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö
  2. Stockholm, Uppsala and Västerås
  3. Gothenburg, Malmö and Helsingborg
  4. Stockholm, Gothenburg and Linköping
Show answer and explanation

Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö

The three largest cities in Sweden are the capital Stockholm, as well as Gothenburg and Malmö.

17. Where in Sweden are the largest iron ore mines, such as in Kiruna and Malmberget?

  1. In Skåne County
  2. In Stockholm County
  3. In Norrbotten county
  4. In the county of Västra Götaland
Show answer and explanation

In Norrbotten county

The largest iron ore mines in Sweden are in Norrbotten County in the northern part of the country.

18. What is running water in the Swedish rivers used for on a large scale for energy production?

  1. Cooling nuclear power plants
  2. To produce electricity via hydropower plants
  3. To irrigate farmland in the north
  4. Extracting natural gas
Show answer and explanation

To produce electricity via hydropower plants

Water is an important source of energy and in several rivers there are hydroelectric plants where the flowing water produces electricity, which accounts for a large part of the country's electricity production.

19. Why is most of Sweden's agriculture in the southern part of the country?

  1. Because more farmers live there
  2. Because the climate is milder and easier and better to grow in compared to the north
  3. Because the soil in the north is completely covered with sand
  4. Because the state prohibits farming in Norrland
Show answer and explanation

Because the climate is milder and easier and better to grow in compared to the north

Sweden's agriculture is adapted to the climate. In northern Sweden, the climate is colder, which makes cultivation difficult, and therefore most of the agriculture is in the south.

20. Which products are mainly exported from the Swedish forest industry?

  1. Pulp, paper, cardboard and wood for the construction industry
  2. Fruits, berries and medicinal plants
  3. Coal, oil and natural gas
  4. Rubber, plastic and synthetic fibers
Show answer and explanation

Pulp, paper, cardboard and wood for the construction industry

Pulp, paper, cardboard and wood are extracted from the forest, which are sold to many countries and form an important part of Sweden's trade.

21. What do scientists and the UN climate panel point to as the biggest cause of ongoing global warming?

  1. Earth's natural variations in its orbit around the sun
  2. Human emissions of greenhouse gases from transport, industry and agriculture
  3. Volcanic activity under the seas
  4. Forest fires caused by lightning
Show answer and explanation

Human emissions of greenhouse gases from transport, industry and agriculture

According to the UN Climate Panel, rapid global warming is mainly due to greenhouse gases emitted by human activities.

22. In what year should Sweden's emissions of greenhouse gases be as close to zero as possible according to the climate act?

  1. Year 2030
  2. Year 2045
  3. Year 2060
  4. Year 2100
Show answer and explanation

Year 2045

Sweden's climate act aims for emissions of greenhouse gases to be close to zero by 2045, which means that emissions do not exceed what nature can absorb.

23. What three areas does the concept of 'sustainable development' cover?

  1. Environment, society and economy
  2. History, geography and biology
  3. Politics, defense and legislation
  4. Technology, industry and trade
Show answer and explanation

Environment, society and economy

Sustainable development is about managing resources so that future generations can live well, and it spans the environment, society and economy.

24. Where does all public power in Sweden come from according to the form of government?

  1. From the king
  2. From the people
  3. From the Prime Minister
  4. From the courts
Show answer and explanation

From the people

According to the form of government, which is one of Sweden's constitutions, all public power in Sweden emanates from the people.

25. What does the word 'democracy' mean?

  1. People's government
  2. Royal rule
  3. Team rule
  4. Free market
Show answer and explanation

People's government

The word democracy comes from the Greek and means people's rule, a system where power rests with the citizens.

26. What does it mean that the elections in a democracy must be secret?

  1. That no one needs to reveal to anyone else how to vote
  2. That the parties are not allowed to show their names
  3. That the election results are not shown until after a year
  4. That only the government knows who won the election
Show answer and explanation

That no one needs to reveal to anyone else how to vote

In a democracy, voting is done in secret behind screens so that no one has to reveal or be pressured about how they vote.

27. What is it called when people live apart in a society because of economics or ethnic background?

  1. Integration
  2. Segregation
  3. Globalization
  4. Urbanization
Show answer and explanation

Segregation

Segregation means that groups live spatially and socially separated due to e.g. income level or ethnic origin.

28. What does integration in society mean?

  1. That people with different backgrounds live closer together and feel involved in society
  2. That everyone is forced to change their name to traditional Swedish names
  3. That no foreign goods may be sold in the country
  4. That all regions are merged into one big state
Show answer and explanation

That people with different backgrounds live closer together and feel involved in society

Integration is about facilitating meetings and coexistence between people with different backgrounds so that everyone feels participation and security.

29. At which three political levels is responsibility shared in Sweden?

  1. National level (state), regional level (regions) and municipal level (municipalities)
  2. Cities, villages and farms
  3. The king, the government and the Riksdag
  4. The police, the court and the correctional service
Show answer and explanation

National level (state), regional level (regions) and municipal level (municipalities)

Political responsibility is shared between national level (the state), regional level (the regions) and municipal level (the municipalities).

30. How many members sit in the Swedish Riksdag?

  1. 100 members
  2. 290 members
  3. 349 members
  4. 500 members
Show answer and explanation

349 members

Sweden's Riksdag consists of 349 members who are elected by the people in general elections every four years.

31. How often are ordinary elections to the Riksdag, regional and municipal councils held in Sweden?

  1. Every three years
  2. Every four years
  3. Every five years
  4. Every six years
Show answer and explanation

Every four years

Elections to the Riksdag, regional councils and municipal councils are held simultaneously in Sweden every four years.

32. Who elects Sweden's prime minister?

  1. The king
  2. The people directly in a presidential election
  3. The Riksdag
  4. The highest judges
Show answer and explanation

The Riksdag

Sweden is a parliamentary democracy, which means that members of parliament vote on and choose the prime minister.

33. What is the government's proposal for the state budget, which is submitted to the Riksdag every autumn, called?

  1. Budget proposal
  2. Regulation letter
  3. Exercise
  4. Constitution
Show answer and explanation

Budget proposal

The government's proposal for the state's income and expenditure is called a budget bill.

34. What is the main task of the opposition in the Riksdag?

  1. To review the government's work and propose a different policy
  2. To stop all laws by force
  3. To rule the courts
  4. To appoint the king of the country
Show answer and explanation

To review the government's work and propose a different policy

The parties that do not sit in or support the government form the opposition. Their task is to scrutinize the government and present their own policy options.

35. Which of the following is a government agency that helps the government implement decisions in practice?

  1. The insurance fund
  2. Swedish Television
  3. The Center Party
  4. Supreme Court
Show answer and explanation

The insurance fund

The Social Insurance Agency, the Swedish Migration Agency, the Police and the Tax Agency are examples of government agencies that report to the government.

36. What body checks that government agencies follow the laws and treat citizens properly?

  1. The Ombudsman (JO) and the Chancellor of Justice (JK)
  2. The police
  3. Tax Agency
  4. Members of Parliament in person
Show answer and explanation

The Ombudsman (JO) and the Chancellor of Justice (JK)

The Ombudsman for Justice (JO) examines the authorities on behalf of the Riksdag, and the Chancellor of Justice (JK) represents the state and controls the authorities for the government.

37. What is the most important area of ​​responsibility of the regions in Sweden?

  1. Elementary school and high school
  2. Healthcare
  3. The police and the judiciary
  4. Foreign policy and defence
Show answer and explanation

Healthcare

The 21 regions' primary task is to be responsible for healthcare and public transport within the region.

38. Which is Sweden's smallest municipality in terms of population with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants?

  1. Dorotea in Västerbotten County
  2. Stockholm
  3. Kiruna
  4. Gotland
Show answer and explanation

Dorotea in Västerbotten County

Dorotea municipality in Västerbotten county is the country's smallest municipality in terms of population. Stockholm is the largest.

39. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy. What does it mean for the head of state (the king)?

  1. The king decides all the laws himself
  2. The king has no political power but functions as a symbol of the country
  3. The king is elected by the people every four years
  4. The king heads the government
Show answer and explanation

The king has no political power but functions as a symbol of the country

Constitutional monarchy means that the head of state is a monarch but that his duties are purely representative and lack political power.

40. What is the name of Sweden's current king and who is first in line to succeed him?

  1. Carl XVI Gustaf, Crown Princess Victoria
  2. Gustaf VI Adolf, Prince Carl Philip
  3. Carl XVI Gustaf, Princess Estelle
  4. Oscar II, Crown Princess Victoria
Show answer and explanation

Carl XVI Gustaf, Crown Princess Victoria

The king of Sweden is Carl XVI Gustaf. His first-born daughter Victoria is crown princess and heir to the throne.

41. What is required to have the right to vote in the Swedish parliamentary elections?

  1. To have turned 18 on election day and be a Swedish citizen
  2. Owning land in Sweden
  3. Having lived in the country for at least 10 years, regardless of citizenship
  4. Being able to speak fluent Swedish
Show answer and explanation

To have turned 18 on election day and be a Swedish citizen

For the right to vote in the Riksdag election, you must be at least 18 years old and a Swedish citizen (as well as be or have been registered in Sweden).

42. What rules apply to the right to vote in municipal and regional elections for people who are not Swedish or EU citizens?

  1. They never have the right to vote
  2. They must have lived and been registered in Sweden for three consecutive years
  3. They can vote immediately when they move to the country
  4. They can vote if they pay a special fee
Show answer and explanation

They must have lived and been registered in Sweden for three consecutive years

Foreign citizens from countries outside the EU/Nordic region may vote in municipal and regional elections if they have been registered in Sweden for three consecutive years.

43. What did the Swedish people vote no to in the advisory referendum in 2003?

  1. Joining the EU
  2. To introduce the euro as currency instead of the Swedish krona
  3. To allow right-hand traffic
  4. To abolish the monarchy
Show answer and explanation

To introduce the euro as currency instead of the Swedish krona

In the 2003 referendum, a majority voted no to replace the Swedish krona with the euro.

44. What are Sweden's four constitutions?

  1. The form of government, the Order of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Ordinance and the Fundamental Freedom of Expression Act
  2. The Criminal Code, the Tax Act, the Form of Government and the Environmental Code
  3. The Riksdag Order, the Order of Succession, the School Act and the Form of Government
  4. The Freedom of the Press Act, the Freedom of Expression Act, the Police Act and the Order of Succession
Show answer and explanation

The form of government, the Order of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Ordinance and the Fundamental Freedom of Expression Act

Sweden has four constitutions that are more difficult to change than other laws: The form of government, the Succession Order, the Freedom of the Press Ordinance and the Freedom of Expression Constitution.

45. Which constitution regulates the succession to the throne in Sweden?

  1. The form of government
  2. The order of succession
  3. The Freedom of the Press Ordinance
  4. The Freedom of Expression Act
Show answer and explanation

The order of succession

The order of succession determines who will succeed the sitting king or queen as head of state.

46. What is the public right and where is it protected?

  1. The right to move freely in nature under responsibility, protected in the form of government
  2. The right to fish freely in all lakes without a permit, protected in the order of succession
  3. The right to build houses wherever you want, protected in the Criminal Code
  4. The right to hunt wild animals on other people's land, protected in the municipal law
Show answer and explanation

The right to move freely in nature under responsibility, protected in the form of government

Allemansrätten is a unique tradition protected in the form of government that gives everyone the right to stay in forest and land as long as one does not disturb or destroy it.

47. Who decides whether a person suspected of a crime should be tried in a court of law?

  1. The police
  2. The Prosecutor's Office
  3. The Crime Victims' Authority
  4. Correctional Service
Show answer and explanation

The Prosecutor's Office

It is a prosecutor at the Public Prosecutor's Office who reviews the police's criminal investigation and decides whether charges should be brought in court.

48. What are the three courts in the general Swedish legal system?

  1. The District Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court
  2. The municipality, the region and the state
  3. The police, the Prosecutor and the Prison Service
  4. The Administrative Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Administrative Court
Show answer and explanation

The District Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court

The general courts that rule in criminal cases and civil cases are the District Court (first instance), the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court (HD).

49. How long can a suspect be kept locked up under 'arrest' before a court has to decide whether the person should be detained?

  1. Maximum 24 hours
  2. Up to 72 hours
  3. Maximum one week
  4. Unlimited time
Show answer and explanation

Up to 72 hours

If the prosecutor decides to detain a person, they can be detained for up to 72 hours before a detention hearing must be held in court.

50. Who are the jurors who judge together with the professional judge in the district court?

  1. Representatives of the public appointed by the political parties
  2. Police officers investigating the crime
  3. Lawyers from the court
  4. Randomly selected citizens from the population register
Show answer and explanation

Representatives of the public appointed by the political parties

Jurors must guarantee public transparency in the legal process. They are not lawyers but represent the public and are appointed by the parties in the municipality/region.

51. From what age can someone be sentenced for certain serious crimes under the exception introduced in 2026?

  1. From the age of 13
  2. From the age of 14
  3. From the age of 15
  4. From the age of 21
Show answer and explanation

From the age of 14

Since 10 September 2026, a temporary exception applies to certain serious crimes from age 14. The general age of criminal responsibility remains 15.

52. What can happen if you are convicted of a serious crime and registered in the crime register?

  1. It may become more difficult to get certain jobs, driving licenses or Swedish citizenship
  2. You are forced to move from your municipality
  3. You immediately lose the right to vote in the parliamentary elections
  4. The state takes over all one's bank accounts
Show answer and explanation

It may become more difficult to get certain jobs, driving licenses or Swedish citizenship

The charge register saves information about judgments. Many employers require extracts from the register, and this also affects the examination of driver's licenses and citizenship.

53. What does the principle of openness mean in Sweden?

  1. That public documents of authorities are public and can be read by anyone
  2. That all trials must be held outdoors in the square
  3. That all political decisions must be approved by the king
  4. That authorities have the right to read citizens' private e-mails
Show answer and explanation

That public documents of authorities are public and can be read by anyone

The principle of openness gives the public and journalists the right to review the actions, letters and decisions of authorities in order to counter corruption and abuse of power.

54. Who is legally responsible for all content published in a newspaper or broadcast on radio and television?

  1. The journalist who wrote the text
  2. The responsible publisher
  3. The king
  4. The Minister of Culture
Show answer and explanation

The responsible publisher

Every newspaper, radio and television channel must have a responsible publisher who bears full legal responsibility for everything published.

55. Which media companies are included in Swedish 'public service' and how are they financed?

  1. SR, SVT and UR; financed through the tax
  2. TV4 and Netflix; financed by subscription
  3. Aftonbladet and Expressen; financed by advertising
  4. The Tax Agency and the Police; financed by fees
Show answer and explanation

SR, SVT and UR; financed through the tax

Sveriges Radio (SR), Sveriges Television (SVT) and Utbildningsradion (UR) constitute a public service and are financed via a public service charge on the tax in order to be advertising-free and independent.

56. When was the United Nations (UN) formed and what is the organization's purpose?

  1. 1945 after World War II, to prevent future wars and protect human rights
  2. 1918 after World War I, to control world trade
  3. 1995, to coordinate environmental policy
  4. 1809 after the Russo-Swedish war, to protect Sweden's borders
Show answer and explanation

1945 after World War II, to prevent future wars and protect human rights

The United Nations was formed in 1945 by 51 countries with the primary purpose of preserving peace and promoting human rights in the world.

57. Which Swedish law prohibits discrimination based on e.g. gender, age, religion or sexual orientation?

  1. The Discrimination Act
  2. The form of government
  3. The order of succession
  4. Criminal law
Show answer and explanation

The Discrimination Act

The Discrimination Act protects individuals against disadvantage and unfair treatment in working life, school and society.

58. What does the Swedish Consent Act mean?

  1. That sexual activity requires voluntariness and consent, which also applies within a marriage
  2. That you have to ask permission from the police to get married
  3. That both parents must approve the child's choice of school
  4. That you must accept all conditions on the internet
Show answer and explanation

That sexual activity requires voluntariness and consent, which also applies within a marriage

The Consent Act states that sex without consent is rape. Voluntariness must be present in both parties, regardless of the relationship.

59. In which year did the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child become Swedish law?

  1. 1945
  2. 1989
  3. 2020
  4. 2026
Show answer and explanation

2020

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted by the UN in 1989 but became Swedish law on 1 January 2020.

60. How many official national minority groups are there in Sweden?

  1. Three groups
  2. Five groups
  3. Ten groups
  4. None at all
Show answer and explanation

Five groups

Sweden has five recognized national minorities: Jews, Roma, Sami (who are also an indigenous people), Swedish Finns and Tornedalings.

61. What is SFI in the Swedish municipalities?

  1. Swedish for immigrants, a free language course
  2. The Norwegian Association for Sports
  3. Swedish administrative inspection
  4. Safety regulations for industries
Show answer and explanation

Swedish for immigrants, a free language course

SFI (Swedish for immigrants) is a language training that the municipalities are obliged to offer to adult immigrants.

62. What is a collective agreement in the Swedish labor market?

  1. A written agreement between trade union and employer on wages and working conditions
  2. An agreement where all employees must share their wages equally
  3. A contract to rent a common room
  4. A decision made by the government on minimum wages
Show answer and explanation

A written agreement between trade union and employer on wages and working conditions

Collective agreements regulate wages, working hours and pensions for employees in a certain industry after negotiations between the labor market parties.

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