Sweden civics quiz: questions and answers
All 30 general civics quiz questions about Sweden with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Democracy and elections 6 questions
The Riksdag, the four-year election cycle, the 4% threshold, who may vote and referendums.
Practise only: Democracy and elections →
How many members does the Riksdag have?
349
The Riksdag has 349 members, elected every four years.
How often are elections to the Riksdag, the regions and the municipalities held?
Every four years
All three elections are held on the same day every four years; elections to the European Parliament are every five years.
What share of the national vote does a party need to win seats in the Riksdag?
4%
The 4% threshold applies to Riksdag elections.
At what age can you vote in Swedish elections?
18
The voting age in Sweden is 18.
Who may vote in elections to the Riksdag?
Swedish citizens aged 18 or over
Riksdag elections are for Swedish citizens; non-citizens can vote in municipal and regional elections after three years' registration (EU and Nordic citizens only need to be registered).
What did Sweden decide in the 2003 referendum?
Not to adopt the euro
In 2003 Sweden voted no to adopting the euro. Swedish referendums are advisory.
Constitution, state and law 7 questions
Sweden's four fundamental laws, the monarchy, the courts, the age of criminal responsibility and the ombudsmen.
Practise only: Constitution, state and law →
What is Sweden’s form of government?
A constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy
The king is head of state without political power; the Riksdag and the government govern.
How many fundamental laws (grundlagar) does Sweden have?
Four
The Instrument of Government, the Freedom of the Press Act, the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression and the Act of Succession.
Which is the highest court for criminal and civil cases in Sweden?
The Supreme Court (Högsta domstolen)
General courts have three levels: tingsrätt, hovrätt and Högsta domstolen.
From what age can a person be held criminally responsible in Sweden?
15
The age of criminal responsibility (straffmyndighetsålder) is 15.
Which office checks that public authorities follow the law and treat people correctly?
The Parliamentary Ombudsmen (Justitieombudsmannen, JO)
JO, appointed by the Riksdag, supervises courts and public authorities.
What does allemansrätten (the right of public access) give you?
The right to move freely in nature, with responsibility
Allemansrätten is protected in the Instrument of Government and lets everyone walk, camp and pick berries in nature while respecting landowners and wildlife.
In which year were the Church of Sweden and the state separated?
2000
The Church of Sweden ceased to be the state church on 1 January 2000; freedom of religion was guaranteed by law in 1951.
Regions, municipalities and welfare 4 questions
The 21 regions and 290 municipalities, who runs healthcare and schools, and how welfare is financed.
Practise only: Regions, municipalities and welfare →
How many regions does Sweden have?
21
Sweden has 21 regions (and 21 counties); their main task is healthcare.
How many municipalities (kommuner) does Sweden have?
290
Sweden has 290 municipalities, responsible for schools, childcare, elderly care and local planning.
Which level of government is mainly responsible for hospitals and health centres?
The regions
Regions run healthcare; municipalities run schools, childcare and elderly care.
How is the Swedish welfare system mainly financed?
Through taxes
Income tax, VAT (moms) and employer contributions pay for welfare services.
Labour market and personal finance 2 questions
Collective agreements, the Swedish model and the social partners.
Practise only: Labour market and personal finance →
In the Swedish model, who negotiates wages and working conditions?
Trade unions and employers' organisations, through collective agreements
The social partners set wages in collective agreements (kollektivavtal); Sweden has no statutory minimum wage.
In what year was the Saltsjöbaden Agreement between unions and employers signed?
1938
The 1938 Saltsjöbaden Agreement founded Sweden's cooperative labour-market model.
Rights, media and minorities 3 questions
National minorities, children's rights, gender equality, public service media and freedom of expression.
Practise only: Rights, media and minorities →
How many national minorities does Sweden officially recognise?
Five
Jews, Roma, Sámi, Sweden Finns and Tornedalians were recognised in 2000; the Sámi are also an indigenous people with their own parliament, Sametinget.
In which year did Sweden become the first country to ban corporal punishment of children?
1979
The ban came in 1979; the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child became Swedish law in 2020.
Which companies make up Swedish public service media?
SR, SVT and UR
Sveriges Radio, Sveriges Television and Utbildningsradion are tax-funded and carry no advertising.
History, geography and traditions 8 questions
Key dates from 1809 to NATO membership, Sweden's geography, and holidays such as National Day and Lucia.
Practise only: History, geography and traditions →
Which country was part of Sweden until 1809?
Finland
Sweden lost Finland to Russia in the war of 1808–1809.
When did Sweden join the European Union?
1995
Sweden became an EU member in 1995 and a NATO member in 2024.
When was the first Riksdag election in which both women and men could vote?
1921
Universal suffrage was decided in 1918–1919 and first used in the 1921 election.
What is Sweden’s highest mountain?
Kebnekaise
Kebnekaise in Lapland is about 2,000 metres high.
When is Sweden’s National Day?
6 June
National Day on 6 June has been a public holiday since 2005 and marks Gustav Vasa's election as king in 1523.
On which date is Lucia celebrated?
13 December
Lucia, with processions and songs, is celebrated on 13 December.
What is Sweden’s largest island?
Gotland
Gotland in the Baltic Sea is the largest island, followed by Öland.
In which year did Sweden become a member of NATO?
2024
Sweden joined NATO in March 2024, ending two centuries of non-alignment.
Think you know them?
Take a timed mock exam in the real Swedish Citizenship Test format.