New-York tribune., 1905-07-20
SWEDEN IND NORWAY.
Interesting Statistics Regarding the
Recently Separated Nations.
IFRoM THE TRIBUNE RUREAU.l

19-SOme interesting infOrr1a-
uoh concerning Sweden and Norway has just been
compiled by the Bureau of Statistics. It is shown
that' Notwithstanding less favorable natural con-
oltlons' such as the poverty OF the SOIL about 70
per cent OF which is unproductive, and a rigorous
climate IN the larger part Of the country. also
relatively larger emigration the population in Nor
way increases faster than that of Sweden. Thus
the population Of Sweden increased between 1888
and 1903 from 4.2415O to 5.22l2s1. So per cent,
while that OF Norway grew from 2Os2,l0O to 22SS5S5.
or rs per cent in the period.
The combined population Of Sweden and Norway
is 7,4stSOl, practically the same as that OF the
State Of New-YOrk. The area of Sweden is about
10 per cent more than that Of Norway. the terri
torial extent Of the two countries being 1T2.ST6
square miles and 12i13O square miles, respectively
II the average population for the period 1898 1865
6.04S 200 for Sweden anu 2 165,6OO for Norway-be
compared with the corresponding average emigra-
ton hgures-2S.61O for Sweden and II. .SOS for Nor
way-the rate OF emigration appears higher for
Norway than for Sweden, 90 per thousand.
against AZ per thousand. During the decade 1Sss-
1902 Of the emigrants from Sweden who left their
country over 50 per cent stated their destination
the United States. while OF 124SS6 Norwegians who
left their native country about 81 per cent at the
port Of embarkation indicated this country their
future home.
OF the total estimated population Of Sweden in
1903 only 22.S per cent appear under the head OF
urban dwellers while OF the total population Of
Norway, according to the 1900 census 2SS per cent
The difference in the Industrial character Of the
population is shown furthermore. by the fact that
in Sweden the mainstay Of the population is still
agriculture, with its cognate branches, while in
Norway the Importance of agriculture is about
the that Of the fisheries each of which
industries. according official estimates furnishes
an annual product Of about S15.0Oo.000 about 10
per cent Of the annual national income. The
average value OF the principal cereal productions
in Sweden years 1898 1902 is stated $50
WIFI the Of
crops for 1S96-1sOO estimated at $9,600OO only.
This, well the relative absence Of minerals
Of Industrial Importance, involves a much greater
dependence the part of Norway on imported
breadstuffs and materials. and results, Il
further consequence. in tariff policy distinct from
that OF the sister nation. The imports Of bread
stus. including -four, during the calendar year 1893
into Sweden amounted in value TO S6,SS1O0o, and
10 s15 229 900 into Norway
The only common industry OF Importance. espe-
cally for the foreign trade. is numbering inasmuch
both countries abound in forests particularly
spruce and pine both of which varieties find ready
sales in British and Continental markets. OF the
total domestic exports from the two countries. the
exports OF lumber and timber and manufactures
thereof. such wood pulp and matches, constttut-
ed SIT per cent in the Of Sweden and 4o4 per
cent in the OF Norway.
The mining and metal industry. which is i'm
portant source Of national wealth in Sweden. CIV
ing employment to SO,751 persons in 1903, has but
little Importance IN the national economy Of Nor
way.
On the other hand. the earnings OF the Norwegian
merchant marine especially Of vessels engaged in
the carrying trade between foreign ports constitute
a large portion Of the national revenue and serve
TO Offset in part the unfavorable trade balance
Norway's merchant marine is fourth in size among
the merchant marines Of the world. being exceeded
only by those OF the United Kingdom. the United
States and Germany. Its total tonnage is nearly
500 600 tons against 625 600 for Sweden. Its
total earnings in 1902 were S9.7O0OOO. against
a3.4OOoOO earned by Swedish merchantmen while
the amounts earned by Norwegian vessels in
carrying freight between foreign ports only was |
80, 5OOO. against $3644oOO earned by Swedish
vessels for similar services.
Sweden imports about E42 100000 worth OF mer-
chandise annually about S. 5000 being from the
worth OF merchandlse' a little less than So,UoUO |
being supplied by the United States. The exports |
$4,000 in value about s325o6oo having been taken
by the United States, while from Norway the ex- |
ports were $46500000 in value, OF which less than
g 100000 were imported by the United States.
Norway amounted to $lI 3Ss in value during the
fiscal year 1904 as against SO,07l565 during the |
groups Of articles supply the bulk of the mer-
cEnanqlse exported 70 sweden :; aRd @ Sorway rom
nitude in 1904 the more important articles exported
observation-disclosures 81 2d 2s6: raw cotton, 81 I55 os iron
and steel manufactures S7s6S71; lard $6Ss. .54 wheat
-four, and manufactures, $3e3, ,T9l.
Our imports from Sweden and Norway were val
ued at s. 25814 in 1904 as against s4g 284 in the
preceding year. We are thus exporting to Sweden
and Norway little over twice as much as i'm
port from those countries. Wood pulp forms q !
large portion Of our imports from Sweden and Nor
way, the figures for 1904 being 81 ,202 455. iron
is IN order. S,0l4.376; wire rods amounted to
1859 914 machinery $4l3500. and hides skins,
except fur skins. s309.51S Nearly all the
naming imports were fish products. amounting to
about 100000
While gold silver bullion appears TO have
been sent TO or received from Sweden and Norway,
United States Consul Bergh. at Gothenburg reports
incoming money orders the value of s250O,00O
from the United States TO Sweden during 1904,
and outgoing money orders to the value S50O.00e
sent from Sweden TO this country, a net movement
Of 81 OOOOO0 Sweden from the United States dur
ing a single year.