Concerning literacy, 99% of all Swedes age 15 and older can read and write. Swedish is the national language, but the majority of Swedes speak English. English courses are taught in school, usually beginning in the second grade and continuing through high school. The last three years of a Swede's K-12 education are akin to college preparatory courses. Because of the high level of sophistication of these last years of teachings and study, many students do not elect to continue their education by attending university.

For many years in Sweden, computer science was a separate subject in schools, isolated from other subjects. Many schools had special computer rooms. Now, regularly, computers are becoming a tool to be used in the classroom. The goal is that computers should be a tool to open up new teaching methods. However, the degree of progress differs from one school to another. Many students still do not have access to a computer. As a result, getting the entire school system to use IT in the right way is a matter of vital concern from the point of view of justice and equality.

The impact of IT in the school system will be determined by several factors. One of them is the part played by teachers. IT paves the way for new teaching techniques. Previously, teachers passed on knowledge to pupils, but now they have an opportunity to become tutors who help pupils to look for knowledge themselves. As a result, it is important to invest in further training for teachers.

Sweden has 7.51 software professionals per 1000 people. This compares with Norway's 7.40 per 1000, Finland's 6.94 per 1000, and the United States' 7.93 per 1000. Information Technology spending as a percent of GDP in Sweden is 1.3% compared to Norway's 1.5, Finland's 1.1%, and the United States' 2.8%. (1)

The highly skilled labor force is comprised of 4,552,000 people, 84% of whom are in unions. By occupation, 38.3% are in social and personal services; 21.2% are in mining and manufacturing; 14.1% are in commerce, hotels, and restaurants; 9% are in banking and insurance; 7.2% are in communications; 7% are in construction; and 3.2% are in agriculture, fishing, and forestry.  Unemployment has been at record highs in the past few years--around 8% with 5% in job training.

Sweden has in excess of 70 computer consulting businesses, many of which offer Internet services. There are at least 18 companies specializing in multimedia. At least 19 computer user groups exist.