The Kingdom of Sweden bought US$192.9 billion worth of imported products from around the world in 2023.

Sweden’s dollar amount for spending on imported products grew by 21.3% compared to $202.1 billion during 2019.

From 2022 to 2023, the dollar value of Swedish imports fell by -4.6% starting from $159 billion.

Based on the average exchange rate for 2023, the Swedish krona depreciated by -12.2% against the US dollar since 2019 and fell by -4.9% from 2022 to 2023. Sweden’s weaker local currency made its imports paid for in stronger US dollars relatively more expensive when converted starting from the Swedish krona.

Applying a continental lens, 82.5% of Sweden’s total imports by value was purchased from other European countries. Asian trade partners supplied another 11.3% of imports bought by Sweden.

Sweden joined the European Union on January 1, 1995. Fellow EU member states sold 67.5% of total Swedish import purchases for 2023.

Smaller percentages came from exporters in North America (3.8%), Africa (1.1%), Latin America (0.9%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, then Oceania (0.4%) led by Australia and New Zealand.

Given Sweden ‘s population of 10.8 million people, its total $192.9 billion in 2023 imports translates to roughly $17,800 in yearly product demand from every person in the country. That dollar average lags the $18,900 per capita one year earlier in 2022.

Sweden’s Top 10 Imports

The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in Sweden’s import purchases during 2023. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into Sweden.

1. Mineral fuels including oil: US$21.5 billion (11.2% of total imports)
2. Machinery including computers: $25.4 billion (13.2%)
3. Electrical machinery, equipment: $25.3 billion (13.1%)
4. Vehicles: $22.7 billion (11.8%)
5. Plastics, plastic articles: $6.3 billion (3.2%)
6. Iron, steel: $5.3 billion (2.7%)
7. Pharmaceuticals: $6.5 billion (3.4%)
8. Fish: $6.1 billion (3.2%)
9. Articles of iron or steel: $4.5 billion (2.3%)
10. Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $5.3 billion (2.7%)

Sweden’s top 10 imports equaled about two-thirds (66.9%) of the overall value of its products that Sweden purchased from other countries.

The strongest growers among Sweden’s top import categories are vehicles (up 17.7% from 2022), optical, technical or medical apparatus (up 10.1%), and imported electrical machinery and equipment (up 8.4%).

The severest year-over-year declines were for mineral fuels including oil (down -24.3% from 2022) and Swedish imports of the metals iron and steel (down -17.5%).

Please note that the results listed above are at the 2-digit Harmonized Tariff System code level.

Information presented below is at the more granular 4-digit HTS code level.

Sweden’s Major Mineral Fuels Imports Including Oil

In 2023, Swedish importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of mineral fuels-related products.

1. Crude oil: US$11.2 billion (down -25.2% from 2022)
2. Processed petroleum oils: $7.4 billion (down -18.3%)
3. Petroleum gases: $1.3 billion (down -33.7%)
4. Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $559.9 million (down -27.4%)
5. Electrical energy: $520.8 million (down -48.9%)
6. Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $329.4 million (up 32.8%)
7. Petroleum oil residues: $145.1 million (down -27.8%)
8. Coke, semi-coke: $51.5 million (down -76.5%)
9. Natural bitumen, asphalt, shale: $20.1 million (up 228.2%)
10. Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $9.4 million (down -5.9%)

Among these import subcategories, Swedish purchases of natural bitumen, asphalt and shale (up 228.2%), then high temperature distilled coal tar oils (up 32.8%) grew from 2022 to 2023.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported fossil fuel-related products among Swedish businesses and consumers.

Sweden’s Major Machinery Imports Including Computers

In 2023, Swedish importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machines including computers.

1. Computers, optical readers: US$5.1 billion (up 6.7% from 2022)
2. Piston engine parts: $1.4 billion (up 23.6%)
3. Machinery parts: $1.3 billion (up 2.7%)
4. Centrifuges, filters and purifiers: $1.1 billion (up 8.4%)
5. Transmission shafts, gears, clutches: $1.05 billion (up 19.5%)
6. Liquid pumps and elevators: $1.03 billion (up 19.9%)
7. Taps, valves, similar appliances: $1.02 billion (up 7.5%)
8. Air or vacuum pumps: $967.4 million (up 16.1%)
9. Refrigerators, freezers: $911.9 million (up 2.8%)
10. Miscellaneous machinery: $822.3 million (up 3.9%)

Among these import subcategories, Swedish purchases of piston engine parts (up 23.6%), liquid pumps and elevators (up 19.9%), then transmission shafts, gears and clutches (up 19.5%) grew at the fastest pace from 2022 to 2023.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported machinery among Swedish businesses and consumers.

Sweden’s Major Electrical Product Imports

In 2023, Swedish importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electronic equipment including consumer electronics.

1. Phone devices including smartphones: US$6.6 billion (down -4.5% from 2022)
2. Electric storage batteries: $2.1 billion (up 73.9%)
3. Electrical converters/power units: $1.7 billion (up 32.3%)
4. Insulated wire/cable: $1.5 billion (up 9.2%)
5. Integrated circuits/microassemblies: $1.4 billion (up 13.6%)
6. TV receivers/monitors/projectors: $1.1 billion (down -18.4%)
7. Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels: $1.01 billion (up 15.8%)
8. Lower-voltage switches, fuses: $1.01 billion (up 4.8%)
9. Electric motors, generators: $874.3 million (up 25.2%)
10. Electric water heaters, hair dryers: $790.7 million (down -2.7%)

Among these import subcategories, Swedish purchases of electric storage batteries (up 73.9%), electrical converters or power units (up 32.3%), then electric motors and generators (up 25.2%) grew at the fastest pace from 2022 to 2023.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported electronics among Swedish businesses and consumers.

Sweden’s Major Automotive Product Imports

In 2023, Swedish importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of vehicles-related products.

1. Cars: US$11.5 billion (up 18% from 2022)
2. Automobile parts/accessories: $6.7 billion (up 15.3%)
3. Trucks: $2.3 billion (up 53.3%)
4. Trailers: $583.4 million (down -4.9%)
5. Tractors: $430 million (up 3.5%)
6. Public-transport vehicles: $267.8 million (down -17%)
7. Motorcycles: $235.4 million (down -12.1%)
8. Motorcycle parts/accessories: $190.4 million (down -4.3%)
9. Special purpose vehicles: $174.6 million (up 15.3%)
10. Bicycles, other non-motorized cycles: $94.3 million (down -23.3%)

Among these import subcategories, Swedish purchases of trucks (up 53.3%), cars (up 18%) then special purpose vehicles (up 15.3%) grew at the fastest pace from 2022 to 2023.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported vehicle-related products among Swedish businesses and consumers.
 

See also Sweden’s Top 10 Exports, Sweden’s Top 10 Imports, Sweden’s Top Trading Partners and European Union’s Top 10 Exports

Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Country Profiles, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed on April 30, 2024

International Monetary Fund, Exchange Rates selected indicators (Domestic Currency per U.S. dollar, period average). Accessed on April 30, 2024

International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database (GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity). Accessed on April 30, 2024

International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on April 30, 2024

Wikipedia, Sweden. Accessed on April 30, 2024