29 September 2026
The Riksbank's Executive Board decided to leave the policy rate unchanged at 1.75 per cent (press release published 24 September 2026).
It said economic activity is stronger and the supply shocks from the war in the Middle East are continuing.
The Board assesses that the policy rate should be raised more than projected in the June forecast, for inflation to stabilise around 2 per cent.
If the outlook for inflation and economic activity remains unchanged, the increases in the policy rate are expected to begin this year.
The Riksbank said the krona has continued to weaken.
Policy rate:
1.75 per cent
Inflation goal:
around 2 per cent
Decision published:
24 September 2026
Why it matters for exams: Central-bank rate decisions and the inflation target are staple economy questions; the Riksbank also funds the Nobel economics prize.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
29 September 2026
The newly elected Riksdag held its first meeting on 28 September 2026, when the new party group leaders were presented.
The Riksdag elected its Deputy Speakers: Johanna Haraldsson (Social Democrats) as First Deputy Speaker, Julia Kronlid (Sweden Democrats) as Second and Kerstin Lundgren (Centre Party) as Third.
The opening of the Riksdag session on 29 September marks the start of the 2026/27 Riksdag session.
The Riksdag is scheduled to elect the members of its committees and the Committee on EU Affairs on 6 October.
First meeting:
28 September 2026
Session opening:
29 September 2026
Committee elections:
6 October
Why it matters for exams: Legislative procedure and office-holders of foreign parliaments feature in polity and international-affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
The vote count ended with the Swedish Election Authority announcing that the four left-wing opposition parties won 176 seats in the 349-seat Riksdag, against 173 for the four parties that make up or support the outgoing government.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he will resign, saying in a letter posted on X that he was requesting to be relieved of the office of prime minister so that the Speaker could lead the next stage towards a new government.
Magdalena Andersson, a former Prime Minister and Social Democrat leader, faces tough negotiations to form a coalition government, according to AFP and Reuters reports of 17 September 2026.
The Sweden Democrats received 17.5% of the vote.
Left-wing bloc seats:
176
Riksdag seats:
349
PM who said he will resign:
Ulf Kristersson
Why it matters for exams: A change of government in a NATO and EU member is a likely international-affairs question; the Riksdag has 349 seats.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Sweden officially joined NATO on 7 March 2024.
It deposited its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty with the Government of the United States in Washington DC.
With Sweden's accession, NATO counts 32 countries among its members.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Sweden would now take its rightful place at NATO's table, with an equal say in shaping NATO policies and decisions.
Joined NATO:
7 March 2024
Member number:
32nd
Instrument deposited with:
Government of the United States, Washington DC
Why it matters for exams: NATO membership dates and counts are frequent defence-and-international questions; Sweden is in NATO but not in the eurozone.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) established the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
It is based on a donation to the Nobel Foundation from the Riksbank on the occasion of the Bank's 300th anniversary.
The prize amount is the same as for the Nobel Prizes and is paid by the Riksbank.
The first prize was awarded in 1969 to Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen.
It is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, according to the same principles as the Nobel Prizes awarded since 1901.
Established by:
Sveriges Riksbank, 1968
Awarded by:
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
First winners (1969):
Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen
Why it matters for exams: The economics prize is technically not one of Alfred Nobel's original prizes; its founder, first winners and awarding body are classic questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
Background
Sweden's capital is Stockholm and its official EU language is Swedish.
It has been an EU Member State since 1 January 1995.
Its currency is the Swedish krona (SEK); Sweden has committed to adopt the euro once it fulfils the necessary conditions.
It has been a member of the Schengen area since 25 March 2001.
There are 21 representatives from Sweden in the European Parliament.
Capital:
Stockholm
EU member since:
1 January 1995
Currency:
Swedish krona (SEK)
Schengen member since:
25 March 2001
Why it matters for exams: Capital, currency and EU accession year are standard country-profile questions; Sweden uses the krona, not the euro.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
Background
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy.
The prime minister is the head of government and the monarch is the head of state; the government exercises executive power.
Legislative power is vested in the single-chamber parliament, the Riksdag, with 349 members.
Sweden is a unitary state, divided into 20 counties and 290 municipalities.
Its geographical size is 447 424 km2 and population 10 587 710 (Eurostat, 2025 figures).
Head of state:
Monarch
Head of government:
Prime minister
Riksdag members:
349
Counties / municipalities:
20 / 290
Why it matters for exams: Head of state versus head of government and parliament strength are perennial polity questions for comparative-government papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC