Sweden is the largest country in Northern Europe and is known for its progressive social model, high standard of living, and a long tradition of neutrality in international conflicts. It is home to the Nobel Prize, awarded annually in Stockholm, and has produced globally influential exports including IKEA, Spotify, Volvo, ABBA, and a remarkable tradition of children's literature. Sweden joined the European Union in 1995 and has one of the world's highest rates of gender equality.
Population and area are rounded.
Blue and gold come from the Swedish coat of arms, three gold crowns on blue, used since at least the 14th century. The cross design, inspired by Denmark's Dannebrog, has been used since the 16th century. Sweden's National Day and Flag Day, 6 June, marks Gustav Vasa's election as king in 1523.
Blue with a yellow Nordic cross offset to the left.
Sweden has given the world IKEA, Spotify, Minecraft, and the Nobel Prize.
Sweden's flag is often mixed up with these. Learn to tell them apart:
Every flag that has flown over Sweden, from today back through time.
In 1906 a royal decree fixed the exact shades of blue and yellow, ending a century of variation. The Nordic cross design itself stretches back to at least the early 16th century — one of the oldest unchanged national symbols in Europe.
During the personal union with Norway (1814–1905), a combined canton showing both national crosses appeared in the upper hoist corner. Sweden and Norway shared a king but remained separate kingdoms; the union mark was a constant reminder of that political arrangement.
Norwegian counterpart during the union:
Norway's flag carried the same union mark in the same position — the two mirrors of a political arrangement that ended peacefully in 1905 when Norway voted for independence.
The golden Nordic cross on blue is virtually unchanged from the earliest recorded use under Gustav Vasa in the 1520s. Sweden is one of the very few countries whose flag design has remained stable for five centuries.
Empires, kingdoms and republics that once covered part of Sweden.
The dynastic union that joined Denmark, Sweden, and Norway under a single monarch for over a century, until Gustav Vasa led Sweden to break away in 1523.
A red-and-yellow Nordic-cross flag for the southern provinces that were Danish for centuries before Sweden conquered them in 1658 — a frontier fought over for generations.
The 21 states, provinces and regions of Sweden with their own flags.
Stockholm
Västerbotten
Norrbotten
Uppsala
Södermanland
Östergötland
Jönköping
Kronoberg
Kalmar
Gotland
Blekinge
Skåne
Halland
Västra Götaland
Värmland
Örebro
Västmanland
Dalarna
Gävleborg
Västernorrland
JämtlandSweden shares a land border with 2 countries: Finland and Norway.
3 other national flags use the same main colours as Sweden's.
Play Globalio and learn Sweden's flag
Finland
Norway
Denmark
Kazakhstan
Palau
Ukraine