INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT - COUNTRY COMPARISON

MADHUSUDHANAN R – CB.BU.P2MBA20076
BATCH C

SWEDEN ALBANIA

Basis Sweden Albania

Capital Stockholm Tirana

Population 10,379,295 2,829,741
Surface Area 447,430 km2 28,750 km2
Currency Swedish kronas (1 EUR=10.2573 SEK) Lek (1 EUR=132.0000 ALL)
Religion Christianity Islam
Socio – Demography

Basis Sweden Albania

Global Age Watch Ranking 3 53
Density 23 98
Global Peace Ranking 15 55
Crude divorce rate 2.5 2.1
Remittance received 2819.4 1381.9
Immigrant 19.42 1.73
Emigrant 3.43 42.41
Birth Rate 10.90 9.90
Remittance sent 3684 198.6
Crude death rate 9.5 9.7
Fertility Rate 1.71 1.37
Crude marriage rate 4.7 7.9
Population 10,379,279 2,829,741
Immigrant stock 2,005,210 49,160
Emigrant stock 353,825 1,207,032
HDI 0.945 0.795
Gender Gap Ranking 4 20
Life expectancy 82.40 79.10
Suicides 1,289 96
Suicide rate 12.46 3.30
Number of homicides 108 66
Rate Homicides per 100.000 1.08 2.29

Trades:

YOY Increment % Sweden Albania

Annual arrivals 7616000 5919329
Exports 155537.4 million $ 2506.3 million $
Exports, GDP 28.69 16.85
Imports 149162.8 million $ 5569.8 million $
Import, GDP 27.61 37.40
Trade balance 6374.6 million $ -3063.5 million $
Trade balance, GDP 1.07 -20.55
Retail Sales YoY 8.1 37.6
 Labour:

Basis Sweden Albania

Unemployed Rate 9.5 11.2
Unemployed 529 million 160 million
NMW 49982$ 279.9$
Human Capital Ranking 8 85

Covid-19:

Till Aug-2021 Sweden Albania

COVID-19 - Deaths 14668 2478
COVID-19 - Confirmed 1116584 139324
Fully vaccinated 5163726 575342
COVID-19 - Deaths per
1413.20 875.70
million population
Doses administered 11924194 1340339

COST OF LIVING COMPARISON

Restaurants
Sweden Albania
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive $12.00 $5.90 -50.8%
restaurant
kr100.29 ALL683
Fast food combo meal $9.46 $4.84 -48.9%
McDonalds, or similar kr79.10 ALL560
Bottle of Coca-Cola (0.33 liter) $2.23 $1.12 -49.7%
kr18.64 ALL130
Bottle of water (0.33 liter) $1.99 $0.56 -71.9%
kr16.66 ALL65
Average -55.3%
Groceries
Sweden Albania
Bread $2.64 $0.65 -75.4%
1 loaf kr22.08 ALL75
Local cheese (500 grams) $5.21 $2.77 -46.8%
kr43.52 ALL321
Milk (1 liter) $1.37 $1.16 -15.4%
kr11.45 ALL134
Eggs $3.46 $1.88 -45.6%
1 dozen kr28.96 ALL218
Boneless chicken breast (1 kg) $10.27 $5.30 -48.4%
kr85.83 ALL614
Apples (1 kg) $3.11 $0.93 -69.9%
kr25.97 ALL108
Bananas (1 kg) $2.62 $1.36 -47.9%
kr21.87 ALL158
Oranges (1 kg) $2.94 $1.08 -63.2%
kr24.58 ALL125
Tomatoes (1 kg) $3.56 $0.90 -74.6%
kr29.74 ALL105
Potatoes (1 kg) $1.48 $0.83 -43.4%
kr12.33 ALL97
Onions (1 kg) $1.57 $0.55 -64.7%
kr13.12 ALL64
Average -54.1%
Transportation
Sweden Albania
Gasoline (1 liter) $1.83 $1.60 -12.6%
kr15.27 ALL185
Monthly public transit pass $79.75 $15.70 -80.3%
kr666.48 ALL1,817
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard $26,014.85 $18,790.85 -27.8%
edition)
kr217,416.00 ALL2,175,041
Taxi trip in downtown area (8 km) $24.23 $18.63 -23.1%
kr202.48 ALL2,157
Average -35.9%

Housing
Sweden Albania
Internet connection $35.72 $19.36 -45.8%
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl kr298.51 ALL2,241
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown $819.43 $229.32 -72.0%
area
kr6,848.32 ALL26,544
1-Bedroom apartment outside city $622.46 $154.90 -75.1%
center
kr5,202.17 ALL17,930
Utilities for two (65 m2 apartment) $69.81 $61.42 -12.0%
including electric, gas, water, heating kr583.39 ALL7,109
Average -51.2%
Childcare
Sweden Albania
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $168.65 $123.33 -26.9%
kr1,409.43 ALL14,275
Middle school for 1 child, two $3,626.66 $2,552.15 -29.6%
semesters
kr30,309.38 ALL295,411
Average -28.2%

Entertainment and Sports

Sweden Albania
Domestic/local beer $7.82 $1.54 -80.3%
kr65.39 ALL178
Cappuccino in mid-range area $4.31 $1.28 -70.3%
kr36.00 ALL148
Pack of cigarettes $7.67 $2.95 -61.6%
Marlboro or similar kr64.10 ALL341
Monthly membership at local $45.20 $31.45 -30.4%
gym
kr377.75 ALL3,640
Movie ticket to theater/cinema $15.49 $6.25 -59.7%
kr129.43 ALL723
Average -60.5%
Clothing
Sweden Albania
Regular jeans $97.44 $45.61 -53.2%
Levi's brand kr814.36 ALL5,279
Regular dress $43.29 $30.75 -29.0%
from H&M or similar store kr361.82 ALL3,559
Running shoes $98.88 $82.90 -16.2%
Nike or Adidas kr826.40 ALL9,596
Men's business shoes (leather) $145.50 $87.76 -39.7%
kr1,215.98 ALL10,158
Average -34.5%

QUALITY OF LIFE – Comparison between Sweden and Albania

HEALTH
• In Sweden, the average life expectancy is 82 years (80 years for men, 84 years for
women) as of 2020.
• In Albania, that number is 79 years (76 years for men, 82 years for women) as of
2020.
LIFE
• In Sweden, approximately 4.0 women per 100,000 births die during labour as of 2017.
• In Albania, 15.0 women do as of 2017.

ECONOMY
• Sweden has a top tax rate of 57.1% as of 2016. In Albania, the top tax rate is 23.0% as
of 2016.
• Sweden has a GDP per capita of $51,200 as of 2017, while in Albania, the GDP per
capita is $12,500 as of 2017.
• In Sweden, 6.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2017. In Albania, that number is
13.8% as of 2017.
LIFE
• In Sweden, approximately 4.0 women per 100,000 births die during labour as of 2017.
• In Albania, 15.0 women do as of 2017.
• In Sweden, approximately 2.6 children die before they reach the age of one as of
2020.
• In Albania, 10.8 children do as of 2020.

BASIC NEEDS
• In Sweden, approximately 92.1% of the population has internet access as of 2018.
• In Albania, about 71.8% do as of 2018.

EXPENDITURES
• Sweden spends 7.7% of its total GDP on education as of 2016.
• Albania spends 4.0% of total GDP on education as of 2016.

GEOGRAPHY
• Sweden has a total of 3,218 km of coastline.
• In Albania, that number is 362 km.
HOFSDETE CULTURAL COMPARISON BETWEEN SWEDEN AND
ALBANIA

Power Distant:
With a very high score of 90, Albania is a hierarchical society. This means that people
accept a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place and which needs no further
justification. Hierarchy in an organisation is seen as reflecting inherent inequalities,
centralisation is popular, subordinates expect to be told what to do and the ideal boss is a
benevolent autocrat.

Individualism:
Albania’s very low score of 20 indicates that it is a collectivistic society. This is evident
in a close, long-term commitment to the member ‘group’, be that a family, extended family, or
extended relationships. Loyalty in a collectivist culture is paramount and overrides most other
societal rules and regulations. The society fosters strong relationships where everyone takes
responsibility for fellow members of their group. In collectivist societies: offence leads to
shame and the loss of face, employer/employee relationships are perceived in moral terms (like
a family link), hiring and promotion decisions take account of the employee’s in-group and
management is the management of groups.

Masculinity:
By receiving a very high score of 80 in this dimension, it is clear that Albania can be
considered a “Masculine” society. Behaviour in school, work, and play are based on the shared
values that people should “strive to be the best they can be” and that “the winner takes all”.
They are proud of their successes and achievements in life, and these offer a basis for hiring
and promotion decisions in the workplace. Conflicts are resolved at the individual level and
the goal is to win.

Uncertainty Avoidance:
Albania, with a high score of 70, has a preference for avoiding uncertainty. Countries
exhibiting high Uncertainty Avoidance maintain rigid codes of belief and behaviour and are
intolerant of unorthodox behaviour and ideas. In these cultures, there is an emotional need for
rules (even if the rules never seem to work) time is money, people have an inner urge to be
busy and work hard, precision and punctuality are the norm, innovation may be resisted,
security is an important element in individual motivation. Decisions are taken after careful
analysis of all available information.

Long term orientation:

With a score of 61, Albania is clearly pragmatic in nature. In societies with a pragmatic
orientation, people believe that truth depends very much on the situation, context and time.
They show an ability to easily adapt traditions to changed conditions, a strong propensity to
save and invest, thriftiness and perseverance in achieving results.

Indulgence:
The very low score of 15 indicates that Albanian culture is one of Restraint. Societies
with a low score in this dimension have a tendency to cynicism and pessimism. Also, in contrast
to Indulgent societies, Restrained societies do not put much emphasis on leisure time and
control the gratification of their desires. People with this orientation have the perception that
their actions are, or should be, restrained by social norms and feel that indulging themselves is
somewhat wrong.

ECONOMY - Albania

Basis 2018 2019 2020 2021

GDP growth (%) 4.1 2.2 -7.5 3.5
Inflation (annual average, %) 2.0 1.4 1.4 1.7
Public balance / GDP (%) -1.3 -2.0 -8.4 -4.7
Current account / GDP (%) -6.8 -7.6 -11.7 -8.5
Public debt / GDP (%) 69.5 67.7 83.3 83.2

Strength:
• Candidate for European Union membership, Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
• Mineral (oil, chromium, copper, iron-nickel, silicates, coal), hydroelectric and tourism
potential.
• Long coastline, Abundant and inexpensive labour.
• Flexible exchange rate coupled with a strong lek against the euro and substantial
reserves.
Weakness:
• Small, open and poorly diversified economy.
• Unfavourable demography: ageing and immigration.
• Large albeit shrinking informal economy (one-third), which undermines government
revenues.
 • Poverty, low priority given to education, low-skilled workforce.
• Dependence on rainfall: agriculture (one-fifth of GDP for 42% of jobs) and
hydroelectricity (98% of electricity) and exposure to seismic risk.
• Inefficient and politicised court system and administration.
• Corruption and organised crime, in some cases linked to drug trafficking.

ECONOMY - Sweden

Basis 2018 2019 2020 2021

GDP growth (%) 2.0 1.3 -2.8 2.6
Inflation (yearly average, %) 2.0 1.8 0.5 1.2
Public balance (% GDP) 0.8 0.5 -3.6 -2.5
Current account (% GDP) 2.6 4.6 4.9 4.1
Public debt (% GDP) 38.9 35.1 39.9 40.8

Strength:
• Very favourable business environment.
• Very diversified economy, specialized in high-tech products and the green economy.
• Sound public finances.
• Increasingly dynamic demographics.

Weakness:
• Highly dependent on global demand.
• Tensions on the real-estate market.
• Substantial household debt (188% of personal disposable income, 2019).
• Highly concentrated banking sector.
POLITICAL COMPARISON BETWEEN SWEDEN AND ALBANIA
Sweden
Basis Albania
Current
King: CARL XVI GUSTAF President: Ilir
Political
Prime Minister: Stefan LÖFVEN Prime Minister: Edi Rama
Leaders
Next
Presidential election: 2022
Election
Parliamentary: September 2022 Legislative: April 2021
Dates
Socialist Party, Democratic Party,
Social Democratic Party, Moderate Party,
Socialist Movement for Integration,
Main Green Party, Liberals, Centre Party,
Party for Justice, Integration and Unity,
Political Sweden Democrats, Christian Democratic
Demo Christian Party, Social
Parties Party, Left Party and Feminist Initiative
Democratic Party, Liberal Democratic
Union and Republican Party
The President is the head of state and is
elected by a three-fifths majority vote of
The monarchy is hereditary. The King is
all Assembly members for a 5-year term
Head of State but he exercises no political
(renewable once). Although the position
power and functions in an entirely
is largely ceremonial, the Constitution
ceremonial capacity. After a general
does give the President authority to
election, the Prime Minister is first
appoint and dismiss some civil servants
nominated by the parliamentary
in the executive and judicial branches.
Executive spokesperson before being confirmed for
The Prime Minister is the head of the
Power a four-year term by the Parliament (the
government and holds the executive
King plays no role in this process). The
powers. He is appointed by the
Prime Minister is the head of the
President and approved by a simple
government and holds executive power.
majority of all members of the
The Council of Ministers is nominated by
Assembly. The Prime Minister proposes
the Prime Minister and then submitted for
the Council of Ministers which must be
the approval of Parliament.
nominated by the President and
approved by the Assembly.
The Swedish legislative power is
unicameral. The Parliament, called
Riksdag, has 349 seats and its members
are elected by universal suffrage on the
basis of proportional representation for a
The legislature in Albania is
four-year term. The executive branch of
unicameral. The parliament, called
government depends on the support of
People's Assembly, consists of 140
Legislative Parliament, often expressed by a vote of
seats, with members elected directly in
Power confidence. The Prime Minister can
multi-seat constituencies by
dissolve Parliament, even after receiving a
proportional representation vote. All
vote of no confidence, unless elections
members serve 4-year terms
took place less than three months before.
Legislative power belongs both to the
government and to Parliament. Swedish
citizens enjoy considerable political
rights.
Economic Freedom: Index of Economy: