Sweden’s population is composed principally of Scandinavians of Germanic descent and a comparatively small number of ethnic Finns. About 17,000 Saami live mainly in the northern part of the nation. Sweden’s immigrant population is increasing rapidly, with around 500,000 aliens living in Sweden in the early 1990s. These included Finns, people from the former Yugoslavia, Iranians, Norwegians, Danes, Turks, Chileans, and others. Many came to Sweden as guest workers. newly, increased numbers have entered Sweden to escape the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Swedes benefit from an considerable social welfare system, which provides for childcare and maternity and paternity leave, a ceiling on health care costs, old-age pensions, and sick leave among other benefits. Parents are entitled to a total of 12 months' paid leave between birth and the child's eighth birthday, with one of those months reserved specifically for the father. A ceiling on health care costs makes it easier for Swedish workers to take time off for medical reasons.