Crazy Facts about Sweden: 10 of the Best

Yes, it’s true: North Korea owes Sweden around $393 million for one thousand Volvos ‘bought’ back in the 70s. At over three billion kronor that’s no small change and Sweden, to its credit sends a reminder every six months.

Sweden is the first country in the world with its own phone number. All you need to do is dial it and eventually, a random Swedes will be on the other end, ready to chat, answer your questions, and tell you how the weather is.

You know how when you go on vacation and you end up with a cold, the flu, or just general aches and pains, ruining all your plans for fun? Well, Swedes understand this better than expected: In Sweden, you can take sick leave during your vacation if you are ill.

The classic Jack Nicholson film ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest’ played in Swedish movie theatres for 11 straight years. Incredibly, Jack never showed up even once.

A Swedish man received disability benefits after claiming an ‘addiction to Heavy Metal’.  The man had attended 300 heavy metal concerts in one year, rendering him unable to work.

Naming a child is serious business and apparently it’s so serious that the Swedish authorities (who approve every baby name) have banned naming children ‘Elvis’ or ‘Ikea’.

Do you like to golf? Do you like to travel? If the answer to both those questions is yes you might want to try out the golf club where the border between Sweden and Finland runs right through the course. Half the holes are in one country and half in the other.

As of 2004 you can pay your Swedish taxes by text. Simply send a message from your cell phone and boom, taxes paid.

View Stockholm hopes you enjoyed these Fun Facts about Sweden – stay tuned for more in the future!