To understand these differences, lets examine how Swedish women compare to women from other Northern European countries. Lifestyle We asked women living in major cities in Sweden in different regions of the country to share their opinions on the beauty standards of Swedish women. Heres a collection of different folk costumes from the different regions of Sweden to get a better idea of how they look: If you would like to dive deeper, you can find out everything you need to know about traditional Swedish folk costumes by reading the article below: Traditional Swedish Clothing: The National & Regional Folk Costumes of Sweden, The Swedish National Dress (Sverigedrkten) and regional traditional folk costumes (Folkdrkter) are worn by Swedes of all walks of life in the modern age; from school teachers at graduations and the royal family at national day celebrations, to influencers on Instagram and actors on the creepy 2019 hit movieMidsommar. Quiz You can find more information about famous Swedes and Swedish accomplishments in my epic guide to Swedishness (what Sweden is known for). Nordic There are major works of art that are placed in places as routine as the metro stations that people use every day. Top 10 Most Beautiful Scandinavian Women - Wonderslist Genetics plays a significant role in determining the physical characteristics of individuals, such as hair color, eye shape, and skin tone. These women also have light hair colors that range from blonde to light brown shades but among them, Icelandic women have darker shades of hair colors. an average adjusted for the population of each country within the region), we can see that the Nordic and Baltic men are the tallest in the world, but as the Baltic ladies are slightly taller (0.5 cm / 0.2 in) than their Nordic sisters, the Baltics narrowly takes the prize as the tallest region in the World in front of the Nordics. (The dutch women, being the longest in Europe, measure an average of 170.2 cm (5.58 ft). Along these lines, Swedes dont seem to mind flirting up in the air either. The prevalence of this gene on the Norwegian west coast is thought to be linked to slaves from Ireland and Scotland being brought to Scandinavia. When confronted with this, their niceness mask falls off and become quite mean. While most Swedes are happy with their friends, and generally make friends aplenty at work or school as weve covered, there is a growing group of Swedes that are generally not very good at making friends at all, with one in eight saying they do not have a single close friend according to Swedish psychologist Anna Bennich (TV4 2021). They value their independence and often prioritize their own goals and ambitions. Well, lets look at some typically Swedish behaviors, which will illustrate these tendencies and personality traits more clearly. It is commonly believed that Swedish women look more Scandinavian: they have lighter skin, lighter hair, and lighter eyes. Features: Some Swedes have a full faces, with the eyes high up. However, personal anecdotes are not good enough on their own in my opinion, so Ive also included plenty of relevant data, studies, and examples that support these experiences and views on what Swedes are really like, generally speaking. In my own and my friends experience, Swedish kids are generally left to choose their own path in life, with parents ready to support and act as role models rather than tell them exactly what they should do with their life. Are Scandinavians and Nordics especially strong? Not every piece is hung up in a museum somewhere. Sweden is so opposed to war that they will sometimes send their own people to areas where there is conflict to teach them about the benefits of avoiding war. Most Swedes have blue eyes. This can be compared to the Mediterranean region, where its concentrated on the chest and back instead. They are a people who prefer to be left alone until they are ready to engage socially. That said, beards are currently fairly popular in the Nordics, as they were during the Viking Age (when insulting another mans beard could lead to death). For example I carry two different variants of risk for Celiac disease, one from each parent. I live Pennsylvania on the east coast of the US. They are conscious of what they eat, regularly exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle, which reflects in their glowing skin and toned figures. Movies Or you might just be curious about Swedish culture, how Swedish people actually behave, or what the Swedish social etiquette is all about. What are typical Swedish characteristics when socializing? Malm That, and the fact that blue eyes are a mutation that developed long ago and has remained in the population ever since. Long hair tied in a knot or braided behind the back. Viking women's faces had more masculine features than they have today. For example, many Swedish Women have fair skin and light hair, which is a common trait in people of Nordic descent. He left Sweden at 19 to explore the world, and stayed abroad for almost 8 yearsduring which he backpacked, worked every job there was, earned a degree from UC Berkeley, and met the future mother of his children. Western Norway has almost as many redheads as the British isles (who win the red hair race by a mile), whereas southern and northern Sweden barely has any. On top of modern everyday fashion, Swedes also wear traditional Swedish folk costumes occasionally during holidays such as midsummer and the national day, as well as for special events such as weddings and graduations. The Swedes prefer to keep to themselves most of the time. Mary stays informed on cultural trends and dating practices to assist others in finding love and happiness. How Nordics and Scandinavians see each other, an article where I go into detail about Viking traits and looks, which languages each Nordic nationality actually uses when communicating with fellow Nordics, how Vikings actually looked (how big they were, how they wore their hair, where they came from, their hair and eye color, etc. Sweden is blessed to have some of the most beautiful landscapes and weather conditions of anywhere in the world. Nordic women possess physical characteristics like bright eyes, light complexion, tall height, and a dolichocephalic head. Swedish Food Culture: What Do Swedish People Eat? I analyzed the most popular auctions on Tradera (Swedish second-hand online market owned by Ebay), and compiled a list of the most bid-on clothing brands (sorted by number of total bids): Here are the most common clothing brands listed on the same auction sites, along with winners of Evimetrix Swedish Brand Award (which awards the most popular brands in Sweden for various categories, including clothing): Source: Tradera 2022 + Winners of Evimetrix Swedish Brand Award. Allen Park When evaluating college prospects, there are three primary buckets general managers must weigh . Do Most Swedes Really Behave in a Similar Way? Your email address will not be published. With age, female blonde hair darkens more gradually than males. Im sure its more complex than that, as this article describes. English One in five Swedish men report that theyve experienced a flirt with someone whilst flying according to a 2013 poll by Epinion, and twice as many Swedes report mile-high flirting compared to Danes and Norwegians. They prefer to stay out of these situations and to avoid inserting themselves in the affairs of other countries if they can avoid it. This may sound like quite a generalization (then again, isnt everything on this list!) Swedes have learned over the years to deal with their own problems on their own terms, and they continue to use this personality trait to help get things done. Music To find out the origins of the light hair/light eye color combination we need to look at where people in Scandinavia came from originally, and how they looked (based on DNA samples and analysis). There are plenty of famous Scandinavians with notably high cheekbones, a trait which is commonly passed down in the Nordic region through families with Sami heritage. I love getting into new sports when I travel, and when I moved from Sweden to countries like Australia and the US, there were quite a few new ones I had to get acquainted with (that I eventually grew to love watching and playing). When the Battle Axe culture group fused with the groups already present in Scandinavia this eventually spawned the Nordic Bronze Age people, who are seen as the ancestors of all Germanic people. If you made it all the way through the article, congratulations! With modern technology, it now appears that the Finns and the Smi may have originated from an "old population in Europe which diverged from other European populations prior to subsequent linguistic and cultural diversification.". Yes, Swedes may come along as shy. Read Article Now. All of our knowledge about pre-Viking Scandinavians comes from DNA analysis and theories, but for an idea of how modern-day Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians look like we can turn to some cold hard data and settle some standard questions right off the bat. Hej, I'm Astrid and I'm here to show you everything that Scandinavia has to offer - based on my own experience living up here in the Nordics! ), How the Dutch & Scandinavians Are Connected (Complete Guide), Norse vs. Norwegian vs. Nordic: Differences Explained, Average Height in the Nordics (Data & Graphs), https://kaw.wallenberg.org/forskning/atlas-med-forhistoriskt-dna-ger-ny-bild-av-manniskans-ursprung. So the theory is that on top of any Vitamin D youd get from the sun, Scandinavians have also stocked up on it via their fish intake. Here the complete list.) They preferred to wear the so-called harness dresses, which . In fact, Sweden is the best place to go if you are searching specifically for a blonde. This weight is well within the healthy range, taking into account the individuals height and body shape. While not all Swedes are alike there are some common ways Swedes usually like to perceive themselves (according to scientists and authors): Note that all of these observations are general and not something every single Swede necessarily agrees with. Karl, Clothes The heterogeneity of autism and several co-occurring conditions are key challenges to establish these. As youll soon find, the Swedes are great to speak with. I am a third generation in Smerica half Swede ( my dad was full Swedish and his parents immigrated here before he was born) and I still have a majority of those Swedish traits so I think it is more a matter of genealogical inborn temperament than geography. I had always assumed Swedes had more melanin than the average European due simply to living near coasts with a lack of tree cover and lots of time spent on boats, so natural selection would favor individuals who can tolerate this lack of shade. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest Nordic resources, insights, tips, hidden gems, and much more. Swedish Womens features, their personal characteristics and beauty standards are what you will find out as you continue reading. Food The country continues to take the lead on issues such as creating sustainable sources of energy and working towards including more women in positions of power. Here are just a few of the most impactful Swedish inventions that have changed the world: View more examples and read more about the most influential Swedish inventions that had a great impact on the world as a whole. Fika Swedish Women, like females from any other ethnic group in Europe, have their own unique facial features and physical characteristics. Sweden has produced many amazing hit pop songs and contributed to many others. Streaming Tips Data This combination of physical characteristics creates a stunning appearance that is hard to forget. This is because they have such a strong coffee and food culture. Only about 8 to 10 percent of the world is believed to have blue eyes. It should also be added that the countries around the Dinaric Alps in Western Balkans would place in the top if S.E. Finally, dont forget to take in the Swedish art that dots the landscape throughout the country. To check how this looked in real life, I compiled a list of all the hair and eye colors of 103 family members and friends, who all are born in or around Malm in southern Sweden (one of the more culturally diverse cities in Sweden I should add). If youre curious about how exactly Nordic people communicate with each other, Ive written an article where I go into detail aboutwhich languages each Nordic nationality actually uses when communicating with fellow Nordics. When you start to see that everyone seemingly has the same hair color, you are bound to take note of this and mark it down as something interesting and unique about the Swedish people. These individuals believe in "everything in moderation." Physical Features Scandinavian women have light eye colors which make them look striking, these eye colors are commonly hazel, blue, grey, or green. Swedish Women are known for their unique and striking facial features, as well as their strong and independent personalities. Add this one to your bucket list. Why Do So Many Swedes Have Blonde Hair? - Scandinavia Facts Enjoy your visit! Maybe its our Viking heritage, or maybe its just because the majority feel more relaxed whilst traveling (which 59% of Swedes do according to the same YouGov poll) whatever the cause, it seems to be in our nature to get extra flirty on trips. I am excited reading about Sweden and enjoyed reading your article and look forward to learning much more. DNA studies have also shown that around 40% of modern Swedish men have their roots in bronze age migrations from the Russian steppes, 40% from bronze age migrations via northern Germany, and 20% from before the bronze age migrations. At the same time, the cultural norms of Sweden have also influenced the appearance of modern Swedish Women. Nordic vs. Scandinavian: Meaning & Usage Explained, Nordic vs. Germanic vs. Celtic: Differences & Links Explained (+ Maps), Im a Nordic native (a Swede with a Finnish mother to be precise) who likes to get nerdy and share first-hand experiences, data-driven resources, and useful guides to help people discover and understand the culture, people, life, sights, design, and history (Vikings anyone?) Iceland 31 Swedish Inventions That Made a Big Impact on the World, Throughout history, Sweden has been responsible for a surprising number of inventions and innovations that have had a profound impact on the world. What are typical Swedish personality traits? Iceland Are Scandinavians seen as unusually attractive? Finland Musculoskeletal pain latent classes and biopsychosocial characteristics What is Considered Polite Behavior in Sweden? Scandinavians do have curly hair, but as weve established most of them have wavy or straight hair. It is fairly typical for quietness to be mentioned among Swedish peoples traits. On top of cold hard data from the polls above, I would also add the following typically Swedish behaviors from my personal experiences and observations: To get an even better idea of typically Swedish behaviors, here are some more things that Swedes do all the time, and that visitors of Sweden (or locals while Swedes go abroad) notice specifically: These are typical values the average Swede would likely agree with and support: In business settings specifically, Swedes tend to again be very team-oriented, and other than this we usually prefer to delegate instead of micro-manage, like to keep things professional, want to be inclusive, and prefer clear instructions over creative leeway. There are other subtle Swedish design influences throughout the world. Swedes eat plenty of traditional Swedish food as well, of course, and if youd like to find out more, this is the article for you. Mythology The Nordic/Scandinavian physical stereotypes are as cliche as they are well-knownthe stereotypical Scandis are expected to be a bunch of tall, blonde-haired, and blue-eyed Vikings in most peoples mindsbut can those stereotypes actually be true in modern-day Scandinavia? Of course, most famously, the band ABBA is from Sweden, and they were a big hit throughout the world. It is estimated that at least 50% of Scandinavians have a light hair color, with some regions in Sweden, Finland and Norway reaching 80%. The first farmersoriginating from Anatolia and Syria and commonly called Early European Farmersstart arriving to Europe and Scandinavia around 4 000 BCE with powerful new knowledge and tools, competing and wiltimately fusing with the original inhabitants. Sweden is a country of just over 10 million people, but they have produced more than their fair share of contributions to the world. As cliche as the depiction of a blond and blue-eyed Swede is, it does actually seem pretty close to the truth. On the other hand, cultural background has also influenced the appearance of Swedish Women. Below Ive compiled 19 of my favorite Nordic Noir and Scandinavian Drama series, along with critic ratings and a short description that doesnt spoil too much. English There is a lot of pomp to these types of events (safe to say that the Swedish flag has a lot of meaning to people on those days! This goes back to the fact that they are a humble group of people who are not keen on boasting about their accomplishments. Gods Does Sweden have the most blonde-haired? Scandinavian jokes featuring "the Swede, the Dane and the Norwegian" are commonplace in schools. Streaming Tips Many Swedish women place a strong emphasis on taking care of their appearance and physical health. Personality traits you are likely to find among the Swedish population include being fair, courteous, competitive, quiet, honest, creative, empathetic, structured, imaginative, cold, open-minded, responsible, and humble. Gods & Goddesses Our visiting friends have been amazed at the nearly comical high ratio of blondes in this area, because Swedish women have traditionally held the blonde reputation. Related: How to Celebrate Mothers Day in Sweden and When Is It? Of course, female Swedes can be tall, blond and enterprising. Hooded eyes are prevalent in the Scandinavian population, and studies have shown that about 18 percent of northern Europeans have so-called sagging eyelids (which is related to hooded eyes but more specifically excess skin over your eye that may or may not disrupt your vision). Norwegian women, on the other hand, look more rugged and open, with a tanned complexion, dark hair and eyes. Being fit and taking care of your body is highly valued, but there is also a strong emphasis on being natural and comfortable in your own skin. What the Swedes have discovered (that the rest of the world could perhaps learn from!) Thanks Jonna for your comment, and Im happy to hear you enjoyed the article! They don't just drive everywhere, they walk, cycle, and hike. Therefore, many Swedish people are considered to be very beautiful, and the country has a reputation for being a place where many beautiful people live. There are plenty of fun get-togethers in Sweden. to learn more. There are a few theories on why people from Scandinavia, and the Nordics in general, can be light-skinned under low UV conditions (i.e. It is very common to see Swedish physical traits of blonde hair, blue eyes, a tall figure, pale skin, and thin lips. In Sweden it's not. The skeletons that the archaeologists have found, reveals, that a man was around 172 cm tall (5.6 ft), and a woman had an average height of 158 cm (5,1 ft). Scandinavian Ovmar has even been accused of having undergone plastic surgery due to her high cheekbones, a claim she rebuffs by simply pointing to her Sami background (which seems plausible judging by the picture below to the left). Read Article Now, 19 Great Nordic Noir & Scandi Drama Series To Binge (Ranked). There is a word in the Swedish language that refers to the coffee break that many people take throughout their work day. You might have heard a funny stereotype about us silly Swedes and wondered, are they really like this? These features make their appearance really unique and not like other women. The high standard of living in Sweden and access to quality education and healthcare has also given Swedish women the opportunity to focus on their personal and professional development. These qualities shape their social behavior and lifestyle, making them confident, cooperative, and open-minded individuals. Though it is only a small group, it at least gives you an insight into what actual Swedish people look like in 2023. This article may contain affiliate links. So What Do Scandinavian People Actually Look Like? I think we all have noses. Required fields are marked *. The IceHotel is literally made of ice and snow and kept at a cool -4 degrees Celsius. Swedish women are known for their natural beauty and unique sense of style. Mythology Of course, these archetypes do not represent all Swedish people in the 21st Century. In summary, it seems Scandinavians from before the Viking age looked a bit different from todays Scandis, with multiple migration waves that settled in the region up until the iron age being quite diverse in looks and origins. Culture Given the location of the country on the globe, the skin tones of people who have lived in the area for centuries have been paler than it is for people in other parts of the world. This is something we can see in data too, with three out of four respondents of a 2018 Demoskop poll saying good relations with their workmates is the most important source of their workplace happiness. And while theres definitely an element of truth to that, there are other Swedish traits that youll definitely see more of than others when visiting this amazing country. Once again, not everyone in Sweden will look like this. One of the Swedish characteristics that people sometimes take for granted is how humble they are as a people. He ultimately returned to his native Malm with his love, where they now have 3 Swedish-American boys eager to explore the world. Gods It may be hard to name some of the top Swedish bands right now, but you have likely heard their music or their influence on music in your life. https://www.informationsverige.se/en/jag-har-fatt-uppehallstillstand/samhallsorientering/boken-om-sverige/att-komma-till-sverige/finns-det-nagot-typiskt-svenskt/, https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/feaa905631404ee9be0d03a638e560a9/bilder-av-sverige-i-utlandet-kortversion-pa-svenska, https://news.cision.com/se/ebeach/r/isbjornar-pa-gatornaintroverta-och-fullavanligaste-fordomarna-svenskar-moter-pa-semestern,c2928849, https://www.tv4.se/klipp/va/13317625/svenskar-daliga-pa-vanskap-vi-ska-inte-avfarda-kallpratet, https://www.internations.org/expat-insider/2021/northern-europe-40121, https://www.lernia.se/press/pressmeddelanden/2018/maj/svart-for-svenskar-att-fa-vanner-visar-ny-undersokning/, https://www.expressen.se/allt-om-resor/10-svenska-fenomen-som-fascinerar-turister/, https://vdtidningen.se/hur-mycket-far-man-florta-pa-jobbet/, https://www.svd.se/svenskar-flortar-helst-pa-flyget, https://nyheter24.se/nyheter/inrikes/886842-stor-utlanningar-mest-hos-svenskar, https://www.jamestownswedes.org/2020/05/swedish-american-surnames.html, https://www.scb.se/hitta-statistik/statistik-efter-amne/befolkning/amnesovergripande-statistik/namnstatistik/, https://www.scb.se/hitta-statistik/artiklar/2017/tre-av-fyra-idrottar-pa-fritiden/, https://www.forskning.se/2017/06/13/hej-hur-helig-ar-handskakningen/, https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/intressekompassen/documents/intressekompassen-2015-43777, https://www.informationsverige.se/sv/jag-har-fatt-uppehallstillstand/fritid-kultur-och-foreningsliv/, https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/snalltaget/pressreleases/taag-och-baat-aer-de-mest-floertvaenliga-faerdmedlen-2556802, https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/momondo/pressreleases/svenskar-aelskar-att-floerta-paa-semestern-1003405, https://via.tt.se/pressmeddelande/ny-undersokning-kramar-ar-ganska-okej-pa-jobbet-men-var-forsiktig-med-flirtandet?publisherId=783398&releaseId=3251102, https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2021/families-and-living-arrangements.html, https://hj.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1514611/FULLTEXT01.pdf, https://issuu.com/tulipfood/docs/tulips_middagsrapport_a4_21_pdf, https://www.foodfriends.se/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Matrapporten_2021_web.pdf, https://idrottsstatistik.se/foreningsidrott/medlemmar/, https://www.svt.se/sport/artikel/publikbarometern-2020. What Do Modern-day Scandinavians Actually Look Like? In the second hostel where I stayed, a Taiwanese guy told me about receiving a card from a Swedish bank. Nordic Norse I think ancestral bloodline plays a bigger role than many would like to admit and the 23 and Me DNA testing company even confirms that those with such genes do tend to drink more caffein, especially cocoa and so forth. If you would like to find out more about Swedish clothing culture, and read more about as well as find out where to shop the different brands, Ive written an article about the best and most popular Swedish clothing brands: The Best & Most Popular Swedish Clothing Brands (Fashion + Outdoor), There has been a signficant boom within the Swedish fashion industry since the turn of the millennia, with multiple clothing designers seeing success both home and abroad with their own takes on the classic Swedish design school. Dont mistake this lack of warmth as being anti-social though. According to a 2020 study published in The Lancet, Danes are the 4th tallest people in the world, followed by the Icelandic in 6th, the Swedes in 12th, Norwegians in 13th, and finally the Finns as 17th tallest people in the world. Whatever your reasons, I bid you a warm welcome to this guide to what Swedish people are actually like. Southern Scandinavian areas get a warm summer climate due to the Gulf Stream bringing in warm water diagonally from the Caribbean on essentially a constant conveyor belt. Fashion but for many Swedes, this is something that they consider necessary in order to brace themselves for a major social gathering. Throw in some of their dry, slightly dark humor and youve got a great, hilarious night out. 10 Welsh People Physical Characteristics and Traits Despite great progress on issues such as social equality, the Swedish people are not known for being boastful. He explains that Swedes are conditioned from an early age to engage in more intimate ways, with child games commonly including both kisses and hugs to your friends and classmates. How Do Swedes Ask Each Other Out on Dates? (Complete Guide to Viking Traits), Recent advancements in DNA analysis tech have led to extraordinary insight into how Vikings looked, from hair and eye color to size and ancestry. As a native Swede with a Finnish mother, Karl identifies as both Nordic and Scandinavian. More than 60% of Swedish people have light-colored hair (ranging from blond to light brown), and at least 50% have light-colored eyes (blue, green, or grey) according to a 2006 study by Peter Frost titled European hair and eye color. Winter, Get in touch with your inner Scandinavian. This means one in five Swedish athletes chose football as their sport, with around 6 million active athletes in total in the country. Design To put it in perspective, Swedes are not as likely to be married as Americans or Brits for example, with about 50% of adults in the US and UK being married. These qualities are a reflection of the cultural, social, and economic conditions in Sweden that have encouraged women to be independent and self-assured. Swedish women are known for their independence and self-sufficiency, traits that are deeply rooted in their culture and history. Scandinavian people traits: Your guide to Scandinavian features What Vikings really looked like - ScienceNordic When driving in Sweden throughout the countryside you can expect to see many Swedish flags proudly flapping in the wind. Scandinavian people do not have a very high prevalence of the EDAR gene, thought to be connected with thicker hair (among other traits). They tend to have fair skin with a rosy complexion, blonde hair, and blue or green eyes. When someone is dealing with a Swedish person, they can rest assured that they are dealing with someone who is likely to deal with them in a fair and forthright manner. It runs deep in our blood yo the 5th and 6th generation even when the culture was lost and we became anglicized in America. What are the Swedish Women's beauty standards? This is particularly true for Swedish Women who have migrated from other countries or have married someone from a different cultural background. Research surrounding the EDAR gene indicates that Scandinavians (along with most Europeans) generally have thinner hair, than for example East Asians and Native Americans. When you are eating meals that come later in the day, you may also enjoy some of the local seafood catches or even meat from a reindeer! In terms of weight, the average for a Swedish female is approximately 64 kg (140 lbs). I am enjoying your newsletters and wish I could have visited Stockholm where one of my ancestors, a Gustovdotter, was born. Curious how Vikings actually looked like? Ive written an analysis of The Last Kingdom if you want to find out if its worth watching or not. Although it isnt exactly common with Epicanthic folds among the Swedish population, Swedes with Sami heritage (famous examples include Jens Byggmark, Anja Prson and Ingemar Stenmark), and from the northern parts in general, have higher rates of Epicanthic eye folds.