soil depletion, drought, and sometimes
floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of
the population needed emergency food aid in 2004-05 because of
drought, and nearly two-fifths of the adult population has been
infected by HIV/AIDS.

Sweden
Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th
century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a
mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits.
It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external
communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and
iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented
toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of
industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50%
of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 1% of GDP and
2% of employment. The government's commitment to fiscal discipline
resulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cut
by more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown,
declining revenue, and increased spending. The Swedish central bank
(the Riksbank) focuses on price stability with its inflation target
of 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003, but picked up during
2004-06. Presumably because of generous sick-leave benefits, Swedish
workers report in sick more often than other Europeans. In September
2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system,
concerned about the impact on the economy and sovereignty.

Switzerland
Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern
market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force,
and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big Western European
economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic
practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their
international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safehaven for
investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and
has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the
anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth stagnated during
the 2001-03 period, improved during 2004-05 to 1.8% annually and to
2.9% in 2006. Even so, unemployment has remained at less than half
the EU average.

Syria
The Syrian economy grew by an estimated 2.9% in real terms in
2006, led by the petroleum and agricultural s