Power Distance
Leans egalitarian
31
/ 120
Scandinavia
Sweden Hofstede Cultural Dimensions
Sweden has its highest Hofstede score in Indulgence (78) and its lowest score in Masculinity (5). This profile within Scandinavia shows how authority, identity, risk, time orientation, competition, and self-expression combine in one national cultural snapshot.
At a glance
Dimension Scores at a Glance
Individualism
High individualism
71
/ 120
Masculinity
Very cooperative
5
/ 120
Uncertainty Avoidance
Very flexible
29
/ 120
Long-Term Orientation
Moderate long-term orientation
53
/ 120
Indulgence
High indulgence
78
/ 120
Practical implications
What This Means
Business
Sweden business analysis should start with the country score pattern rather than a single dimension. Its strongest signal is Indulgence (78), so negotiations, planning, and leadership expectations should be read through that lens. Lower uncertainty avoidance can make experimentation and flexible execution easier to discuss.
Education
For education and student research, Sweden is useful for comparing how cultural values shape classroom authority, group work, time horizons, and motivation. A lower power distance score suggests more participative classroom expectations may be plausible. Higher individualism points toward personal initiative and individual achievement.
Society
For social analysis, the profile helps explain broad patterns without reducing people to a score. A lower long-term orientation can place more weight on tradition, present obligations, and faster visible outcomes. The lowest score, Masculinity (5), is just as important because it shows where the country leans away from the high pole of the model.
Each dimension in context
Dimension Deep Dive
Power Distance
Sweden scores 31 on Power Distance, ranking #192 of 200 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 34.9 points below the global average and 2.4 points above the Scandinavia regional average.
A leans egalitarian profile on this dimension points toward flatter authority, consultation, and easier access to decision makers. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Power Distance as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside Sweden can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Individualism
Sweden scores 71 on Individualism, ranking #13 of 203 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 36 points above the global average and 8.6 points above the Scandinavia regional average.
A high individualism profile on this dimension points toward personal autonomy, individual accountability, and direct expression of preferences. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Individualism as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside Sweden can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Masculinity
Sweden scores 5 on Masculinity, ranking #194 of 194 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 44.2 points below the global average and 21.8 points below the Scandinavia regional average.
A very cooperative profile on this dimension points toward consensus, quality of life, care, and modest achievement norms. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Masculinity as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside Sweden can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Uncertainty Avoidance
Sweden scores 29 on Uncertainty Avoidance, ranking #201 of 205 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 31 points below the global average and 15.2 points below the Scandinavia regional average.
A very flexible profile on this dimension points toward comfort with ambiguity, experimentation, and lighter rule systems. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Uncertainty Avoidance as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside Sweden can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Long-Term Orientation
Sweden scores 53 on Long-Term Orientation, ranking #43 of 196 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 16.4 points above the global average and 15.2 points above the Scandinavia regional average.
A moderate long-term orientation profile on this dimension points toward perseverance, thrift, adaptation, and patient investment in future rewards. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Long-Term Orientation as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside Sweden can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Indulgence
Sweden scores 78 on Indulgence, ranking #30 of 193 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 30.1 points above the global average and 12.6 points above the Scandinavia regional average.
A high indulgence profile on this dimension points toward leisure, optimism, self-expression, and greater freedom to enjoy life. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Indulgence as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside Sweden can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Snapshot
Key Facts
- Sweden has a low Masculinity score of 5, ranking #194 of 194.
- Sweden has a high Indulgence score of 78, ranking #30 of 193.
- Sweden has a high Individualism score of 71, ranking #13 of 203.
- Sweden has a low Uncertainty Avoidance score of 29, ranking #201 of 205.
Frequently asked questions
Questions About Sweden's Cultural Profile
What is Sweden's Hofstede cultural dimensions profile?
Sweden has its highest Hofstede score in Indulgence (78) and its lowest score in Masculinity (5). This profile within Scandinavia shows how authority, identity, risk, time orientation, competition, and self-expression combine in one national cultural snapshot.
Which Hofstede dimension is highest in Sweden?
Sweden's highest available score is Indulgence at 78.
Which Hofstede dimension is lowest in Sweden?
Sweden's lowest available score is Masculinity at 5.
Should Hofstede scores be used as stereotypes?
No. Hofstede scores are national-level comparison tools. They can frame research questions, but they should not be used to predict every individual, organization, or community within a country.
How to read these scores: Scores range from 0 to 120. A score above 50 means the country leans toward the high end of that dimension; below 50 means it leans toward the low end. These are national-level tendencies, not individual labels.
Source: Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
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