The Differences Between Sweden and the United State

The Differences Between Sweden and the United States

Compared to the United States, Sweden is a country that has been experiencing many different issues that are impacting their culture. These issues include healthcare, emigration, and business. In this article, you will learn about these topics as well as why they are important to both countries.

emigration

During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a large number of Swedes immigrated to the United States. By the 1900s, Swedish-Americans were predominantly urban, and one in four was engaged in farming or timbering skills. The majority were young men and women who were part of the rapidly growing American industrial economy.

Many Swedes immigrated to the United States to work in the railroad industry. Some emigrated to the East Coast, but most worked in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.

The first wave of Swedish immigrants fanned out across the wheat belt of the United States. They settled in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. In 1870, almost 75 percent of the Swedish population lived in Illinois.

The next wave shifted toward the East Coast. New York City was the leading destination for Swedish emigrants. Other destinations included Worcester, Massachusetts, Chicago, and Washington.

The second generation of Swedes arrived between 1890 and 1910. By 1920, 824,000 Swedes lived in the United States. Among them, nearly 250,000 were classified as second generation.

business environment

Located in Scandinavia, Sweden is one of the Nordic countries, comprising the 11th largest economy in the world. With a population of just over 10 million people and a GDP of around $560 billion, it is a great place to conduct business. The country is home to a number of notable tech companies, most notably Spotify, Google and Twitter, as well as the country's first unicorn, Skype. This is a highly competitive market, with companies competing to get their wares into the hands of Swedish consumers.

The Nordics are also a hotbed for small and medium sized businesses, and a great location to test new ideas or expand operations to new markets. Although Sweden is smaller than the US, it boasts a robust infrastructure and a plethora of opportunities. The country has a sophisticated consumer market, and is a great place to do business. There are several aces to be had in the Swedish business scene, including the country's low tax and nabe (nay nay) business environment.

healthcare system

Compared to the United States, the Swedish healthcare system is a lot more comprehensive. It is also financed by taxpayers and provides equal access to health care to all residents of Sweden. The country ranks 23rd in the world for its health care, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Swedish healthcare system is organized on a local level. Each of the country's 24 county councils has the responsibility of providing good quality healthcare to the residents of their region.

The government's Department of Social Health and Welfare sets political guidelines for the health sector. It supervises activities at the lower levels and allocates grants for various health-related projects. The state spends an average of 11 percent of its GDP on healthcare.

There are two main types of healthcare in Sweden: public and private. The latter is more common. The public health care system is largely tax-funded, while the private system is largely privately funded.

The Swedish healthcare system has three tiers of care: primary care, inpatient and outpatient care. The inpatient care is divided into three major categories: the large, the mid-sized and the small. The larger hospitals are more expensive due to their greater patient flows and the constant use of expensive diagnostic and treatment machines.

etymology

Despite their differences, the United States and Sweden share a lot of commonality. In fact, many of the traditions and values of American culture and Swedish society are similar. Throughout the years, Swedish immigrants and their descendants have developed a unique Swedish identity, which has been preserved through interaction with the American culture.

In the 17th century, Sweden was one of the strongest powers in Europe. It controlled a large part of Finland, modern Estonia, and parts of Lithuania. It also occupied portions of modern Latvia. During the Thirty Years' War, Sweden was a major combatant. By the 1850s, it was in the throes of a national population crisis. The famine that hit the country, as well as a shortage of tillable land, made the population scarcer.

Swedish immigrants started to move to the United States in the 1840s. They began in small groups, founding colonies in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and western Minnesota. By the 1870s, almost 75 percent of them lived in Illinois. In the 1860s, the regulations on immigration were relaxed. During this time, immigrants included Hungarians, Danes, Turks, and Iranians.