Tag: Sweden

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Sweden’s first interest rate hike in seven years would put pressure on the European Central Bank to act

Sweden’s Central Bank, the Riksbank raised interest rates for the first time in seven years on Thursday which might cause further European monetary tightening. Riksbank’s benchmark repo rate was raised 25 bps from -0.5% earlier to -0.25%. It still remains negative though.

Sweden Repo Rate December 2018

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Intra European Union (EU) Trade Statistics for 2017 – Germany was the largest exporter and importer, the Netherlands had the largest surplus and the United Kingdom the largest deficit

Some surprises in Intra European Union (EU) Trade Statistics for 2017: Germany was the largest exporter as expected but unexpectedly also the largest importer. The Netherlands (and not Germany) had the largest trade surplus. The United Kingdom had the largest trade deficit (no trade deal Brexit still on the table?)

EU Trade Balance 2017
Data Source: Eurostat

Here is additional information, the complete dataset and maps,

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What makes the Swedish economy unique and should the world follow its economic model?

Sweden is an amazing country. It is the country where Ikea, Skype, Spotify, Ericsson, Mojang (of the Minecraft fame) were founded and the country of the world’s oldest Central bank Sveriges Riksbank.

It is also the country with the highest Value Added Tax (VAT) rate and amongst the highest income tax rates.

We look at the Swedish economic model and what makes it unique and whether the economic model could be considered as a role model for the world. Continue reading “What makes the Swedish economy unique and should the world follow its economic model?”