20+ Differences between Sweden And Switzerland (Explained)

Many people outside of Europe, notably the United States, get mixed up in Sweden and Switzerland. They often confuse one for the other or refer to people of either nationality as Swiss or Swedes.

There are just a handful of ways in which Sweden and Switzerland are comparable; otherwise, they are highly different.

First, they are both European nations that aren’t close to one other. Both land and water divide these two nations. The Swiss capital of Bern is located northeast of the Swedish capital of Stockholm, a distance of 1500 kilometers.

Comparison Between Sweden And Switzerland

Parameter	Sweden	Switzerland
Land	Sweden is a European country found to the west of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. It is one of the nations in Europe located farthest to the north.	Switzerland is known for having a mostly mountainous terrain despite having a position that is considered to be in the exact geographical center of Europe.
Neighbors	Norway and Finland, located to the north and south of it, respectively, are their closest neighbors.	On every side, it is bordered by the nations of France, Germany, Austria, and Italy, in addition to Liechtenstein, which completes the encirclement.
Climate	Compared to the climate in the north, which is considered much colder, the climate in the south is characterized as warmer. This contradicts the fact that the climate in the north is classified as being more humid.	On the other side, the whole country has a climate consistently defined by temperatures below freezing. This environment may be described as the arctic. These temps are representative of the atmosphere in this nation.
Area	Sweden is listed as the country in Europe that holds the position of having the fourth-largest total landmass as a result of its total landmass of 449,964 square kilometers. This ranking was achieved as a direct consequence of Sweden’s entire landmass.	Despite being one of the countries in Europe with one of the lowest land masses, Switzerland has a total land area of 41,285 square kilometers. This is although Switzerland is a mountainous country.
Population	In every square kilometer of land, an average of 20,6 people live there. This represents the population density of the area.	On the other hand, its population density is substantially higher than normal, reaching 186.5 persons per square kilometer. This is one of its defining characteristics.
Government	In this kind of constitutional monarchy, the position of head of state is held by the Prime Minister, while the Kings and Queens of each of the many states are responsible for the governance of their own distinct states.	Since the President of the United States also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Republic, this individual holds the title of Chief Executive Officer for both roles concurrently.
Language	Nobody in this region can communicate in any language other than Swedish. Swedish is your only available choice.	German, French, Italian, and Rhaeto-Romantic are the primary languages the locals speak while conversing with one another in this region. Rhaeto-Romantic is another language that is sometimes used.
Currency	The Swedish krona, which serves as both the primary monetary unit and the nation’s official currency, is the unit of account used most of the time in Sweden.	The principal unit of money used in commercial transactions in Switzerland is known as the franc, and the nation of Switzerland was first called after this specific amount of money.
Known for	It is well known worldwide for its commercial music, automobile production, and the Nobel Prize.	In addition to its financial secrecy and chocolate, Switzerland is famous for the precision of its timepieces, the quality of its Swiss cheese, and its chocolate. In addition to this, it is famous for its chocolate production.

Major Differences Between Sweden And Switzerland

What exactly is Sweden?

Sweden is between Norway and Finland. The nation has a lengthy coastline along the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. It’s mostly agricultural, with several lakes.

Low population density due to large land area. Swedes welcome people who mostly speak Swedish. They have a child-friendly and moderate atmosphere.

In Sweden, the Prime Minister is in charge of the parliamentary democracy that forms the basis of the country’s constitutional monarchy. Volvo and Koenigsegg are Swedish automakers. Sweden’s Nobel Prize is an international monetary award.

Government of the two countries: Sweden

Sweden’s Constitution contains a Government Instrument, a Succession Act, a Press Freedom Act, and a Freedom of Expression Law.

State and local governments comprise Sweden’s public sector.

Local governments dominate Sweden’s public sector.

The County Council covers a larger area than the Municipal Council.

Local governments have self-rule and a revenue basis on the Constitution.

After 1932, social democrats dominated. Twenty-one regions and 290 municipalities comprise Sweden.

Each county has municipalities. Regional and local governments have obligations.

County councils control healthcare, transit, and culture.

Municipalities supervise preschools, primary and secondary education, water, trash, elderly care, and rescue services.

Gotland has one municipality, and the same entity handles both.

The highest court hears precedent-setting decisions in each system.

Special courts hear law-restricted cases. Some are divisions of general or administrative courts.

Income of the countries: Sweden

Sweden ranks 16th in GDP per capita and has a good level of life.

Sweden’s economy is export-driven. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore support an export-oriented economy.

Sweden ranks eighth in armament exports. 2% of GDP and jobs are in agriculture.

The nation has strong Internet and phone penetration. Swedish energy is privatized.

The Nordic energy market is one of Europe’s first liberalized energy markets, trading on NASDAQ OMX Commodities Europe and Nord Pool Spot.

Biofuels, peat, etc., generated 9 TWh of energy, whereas wind produced 1 TWh.

Sweden imported 6 TWh of electricity. Biomass is used to heat districts, homes, and industries.

Sweden has 162,707 paved miles and 1,428 expressways.

Sweden’s highways cross the resund Bridge into Denmark.

New highways are being built, with one from Uppsala to Gävle opened on October 17, 2007.

Sweden had left-hand traffic from 1736 until the 20th century.

Key Differences: Sweden

The country of Sweden, which may be found to the west of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia, has an extensive coastline.

With an area of 444,960 square kilometers, Sweden is the biggest of the Scandinavian nations and the fourth largest country in Europe.

This gives it a land mass over ten times as vast as the United Kingdom.

A lower population density of 20.6 people per square kilometer is seen in Sweden.

Most of Sweden has agricultural land, and the country’s forest cover is just beginning to expand farther north.

The production of automobiles, popular music, and the Nobel Prize is three of Sweden’s most well-known exports.

The government recognizes only Swedish as the country’s official language.

A Prime Minister is in charge of Sweden’s government.

What exactly is Switzerland?

Switzerland is in central Europe. It borders Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy, and France. Surrounded by major European nations, it has numerous official languages.

Swiss speak German, French, Italian, and Rhaeto-Romanic. Switzerland’s government is the Federal Republic governed by an annually elected President.

Switzerland’s mountains are popular for skiing, climbing, snowboarding, hiking, and biking. Stability, privacy, and security of customer funds and information define Swiss banking.

Government of the two countries: Switzerland

The 1848 Federal Constitution underpins modern federal law. 1999 Swiss Constitution didn’t change federalism.

Direct democracy and federalism characterize Swiss politics. Municipal, cantonal, and federal legislation governs the Swiss.

1848 and 1999 Swiss constitutions specify direct democracy.

Popular rights include proposing a federal initiative and a referendum, which may overturn legislative decisions.

The cantons are independent federated entities with perpetual constitutions.

Each canton’s government, police, and courts are separate.

Switzerland has eschewed military, political, and economic ties since 1515.

Vienna’s neutrality was recognized in 1815. Switzerland’s neutrality is questioned.

Since the 1990s, Switzerland has opposed EU admission. Schengen includes Switzerland.

Swiss Land Forces and Air Force are mostly conscripts aged 20 to 34.

Switzerland has no navy. However, armed patrol boats are used on international lakes.

Switzerland

Switzerland’s stable, high-tech economy is the world’s richest nation per capita.

Paradoxically, the country’s financial industry is classified as “one of the most corrupt in the world.”

It has the world’s 20th-highest nominal GDP and 38th-largest PPP.

Zürich and Geneva are Alpha and Beta global cities. Basel is Switzerland’s pharma capital.

With Novartis, Roche, and other world-class enterprises, it’s also a major life sciences hub.

Switzerland’s stable, high-tech economy is the world’s richest nation per capita.

In 2004, 25% of Swiss workers were union members.

Switzerland has a liberal work market and low unemployment.

From June 2000 to December 2009, the unemployment rate rose from 1.7% to 4.4%.

The unemployment rate dropped from 3.2% in 2014 to 2.5% in 2018 and 2.3% in 2019.

Net immigration grew the population by 0.52% in 2004 before decreasing to 0.54% in 2017.

Contrast Between Sweden And Switzerland

Language:

Sweden- Sweden, like many other nations, has its own particular linguistic variety. A significant number of vocabulary items in Swedish can also be found in German and English due to their close relationship. The Germanic language family is where Swedish got its start as a language.

Switzerland- Although German is Switzerland’s official language, French and Italian are also commonly spoken in numerous cantons and towns around the country. German is recognized as Switzerland’s official language.

The vast majority of individuals living in Switzerland have extremely little knowledge of the English language, which adds to the difficulties already caused by the language barrier.

Landscape:

Sweden- This area is home to a large number of lakes as well as fields that are known for their high level of fertility. Most of the territory’s northern sector comprises wooded regions and is known as the “forest region.”

Switzerland- Even though there are a lot of hills and mountains here, the region’s topography can be summed up in one word: hilly. This is due to the absence of any significant shoreline in the region.

Cuisine:

Sweden- Swedish food is basic, like that of other Nordic nations (Denmark, Norway, Finland). Fish (especially herring), meat, potatoes, and dairy stars.

Swedish meatballs, eaten with sauce, boiled potatoes, lingonberry jam, pancakes, pettipants, a spicy fried hash of meat and potatoes, lutfisk, and the smörgsbord, are popular dishes. Akvavit is a popular alcoholic drink, and snaps are culturally significant. Traditional dry, flat bread has modern modifications.

Switzerland- Switzerland’s cuisine has a wide variety of dishes. Some foods, including fondue, raclette, and rösti, are common across the nation, but owing to climatic and linguistic variances, each area has created its own distinct cuisine.

Common European components are used in traditional Swiss cooking, while special cheeses like Gruyère and Emmental, made in the valleys of those names, provide a distinctive flavor.

Politics:

Sweden- During World War II, Sweden became a world power because of its successful copper, coal, and shipbuilding sectors. The high tax rate and the fact that Sweden is a social welfare state have contributed to the country’s high average income, which is a large part of the reason why Sweden has maintained its position at the top of the list.

Switzerland- While Switzerland has maintained its neutrality for almost twice as long as Sweden, both countries’ decision to remain on the sidelines during World War II indicates their ability to preserve much of their respective nations throughout the intervening years. Switzerland avoided invasion by relying on monetary exemptions for citizens and a formidable physical barrier. This is why, even though Switzerland has the highest cost of living in Europe, Sweden ranks third.

Education and Technology:

Sweden- 18th-century Sweden had a scientific revolution. Previously, continental Europe led technological advancement. Carl Linnaeus and Anders Celsius joined the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1739.

Early pioneers created several significant multinational brands. AGA’s Gustaf Dalén won the Nobel Prize for his sun valve. Alfred Nobel founded the Nobel Prizes and developed dynamite. Lars Magnus Ericsson founded Ericsson, one of the world’s biggest telecom firms.

Switzerland- The cantons have jurisdiction over Switzerland’s educational system. Hence education is quite different. Many private international schools are private. All cantons have a minimum age of six for primary education.

However, most provide a free “children’s school” for ages 4 to 5. Primary school lasts till grades four, five, or six. In 2000, a few cantons embraced English as the first foreign language in school.

Literature:

Sweden- The Rök runestone, carved during the Viking Age around the year 800 AD, is the first known Swedish literary work.

With the adoption of Christianity in Sweden around the year 1100, the country entered the Middle Ages, a time when monastic authors favored the use of Latin. This is why Old Swedish literature is so sparse. Swedish literature did not begin to flourish until the 16th century, when language standardization was completed.

Switzerland- From its founding in 1291, the Confederation virtually solely consisted of German-speaking territories. In the 18th century, French became popular in Bern and elsewhere, and French-speaking friends and subjects gained prominence.

Gotthelf and Keller are famous Swiss German writers. Max Frisch and Friedrich Dürrenmatt wrote Die Physiker and Das Versprechen, a 2001 Hollywood film.

Religion:

Sweden- Most Swedes identify as atheists, yet the country’s strong Lutheran heritage means churches are only full during Christmas and Easter. You will also see that a sizable percentage of Swedes participate in some athletic exercise, whether it be skiing, soccer, ice hockey, jogging, or handball.

Switzerland- People in Switzerland are known to be more punctual than Swedes, whose lifestyle, which is known for being more laid back, encourages better respect for the natural world and the setting in which they live. Switzerland is located in Europe.

Games:

Sweden- Roughly half of Americans participate in some sports league or team. American football and ice hockey are the most popular spectator sports.

Women comprise the majority of participants in horse sports, which is second only to football in terms of the total number of participants. Ice hockey and handball are the team sports of ice hockey, basketball, and bandy, respectively, in terms of participants.

Switzerland- Skiing, snowboarding, and climbing are popular in Switzerland because of its terrain. Since the 1850s, when St. Moritz invented the bobsleigh, locals, and visitors have enjoyed winter sports.

Mürren (1931) and St. Moritz hosted the inaugural world ski championships (1934). This city held the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics. Pirmin Zurbriggen and Didier Cuche are world-class skiers. Football, ice hockey, Alpine skiing, “Schwingen,” and tennis are popular in Switzerland.

Media:

Sweden- Swedes are among the world’s biggest newspaper users, and most towns have a local paper. Dagens Nyheter (liberal), Göteborgs-Posten (liberal), Svenska Dagbladet (liberal-conservative), and Sydsvenska Dagbladet are Sweden’s top morning newspapers (liberal).

Aftonbladet (social democratic) and Expressen are the main evening tabloids (liberal). Stockholm, Sweden’s Metro International, is a free, ad-funded international morning tabloid. The Local provides country news in English (liberal).

Switzerland- Swiss law guarantees journalistic freedom and free speech. SNA broadcasts 24/7 in three national languages on politics, economy, society, and culture. The SNA distributes news to practically all Swiss media and a few international media agencies. Switzerland has the most newspaper titles per capita.

Most cities have a local newspaper, but the most significant are Tages-Anzeiger, Neue Zürcher Zeitung NZZ, and Le Temps. Diverse newspapers reflect cultural diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Are a passport and visa required to enter Sweden?

Answer. In certain cases, non-EU citizens who want to visit Sweden on a tourist visa must provide proof of their financial means to cover the cost of their stay. Access the information you need about travel documents like passports and visas here.

If you have more questions concerning the documentation you’ll need to enter Sweden, you may always contact the Swedish embassy in your home country.

Q2. Which cities in Sweden are a must travel to?

Answer. When you’re in Sweden, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see some of the country’s most beautiful cities, including Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo, Uppsala, Vaster’s, Orebro, Linkoping, and Helsingborg. If one wants to make the most of their stay in this country, one should definitely visit these spots.

Q3. When applying for Swedish citizenship, how long is the process typically?

Answer. You need to have a valid right to dwell in Sweden and have done so for the last five years.

However, in order to apply for citizenship in Sweden, you must first reside in the country for a total of three years after you have lived with a Swedish citizen for a period of two years.

Q4. How long does it generally take to complete the process of applying for citizenship in Switzerland?

Answer. The usual norm is that anybody who has been a resident of Switzerland for ten years and has a permanent residency (C) permit is eligible to submit an application for ordinary naturalization to either their commune (also known as a municipality) or canton of residence.

Q5. From where did the word Switzerland originate?

Answer. The original name of the nation is Swiss-German, and “Switzerland” is an anglicized variant of that name (Schweiz). The German word “Schweiz” is where the English word “Switzerland” originates from.

Switzerland is also called Suisse in French, Svizzera in Italian, and Svizra in Romansh. These languages are all recognized as official languages in Switzerland.