According to the Lisbon agenda, the European Union has “…. A new strategic goal….: To become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion” (Presidency conclusions, Lisbon European Council, march 2000). In this paper we are dealing with the questions, firstly how Sweden is living up to the Lisbon Agenda and secondly, how the Swedish national economy has developed, compared to the total EU15, regarding macroeconomic performance and international competitiveness. It seems that Sweden is relatively hesitant regarding participation in the EU, and especially regarding the full membership in the Economic and Monetary Union. Therefore, in this paper it is investigated, whether this scepticism could be explained with a different or worse Swedish development, compared to the total EU15. Furthermore, we have a look whether this sceptic attitude has influenced the Swedish fulfilment of the Lisbon agenda so far. Macroeconomic performance will be described by the development of some important macroeconomic variables, like the growth rate, the rate of inflation and unemployment, the development of employment and the balance of trade and current payments. Though the concept of international competitiveness of nations seems to be a very popular object of economic political discussion, the concept is not quite clear. We will even investigate, how different authors (e.g. Krugman, 1994; and Porter, 1990) are dealing with this concept. The Swedish competitive position according to the World Economic Forum will be described and compared with other members of the European Union. Finally as a measure of relative development and competitiveness, the Swedish position in the United Nations Development Report (Human Development Index), will be investigated and compared with EU members. The description and analysis will be performed in two stages: a first period before Swedish membership in the EU15 and a second period since 1995. The question here is to investigate, whether differences can be seen for Sweden before and after 1995. The planned paper could contribute to Swedish Economic European Research in following ways. The Swedish national economy is compared with the EU15 regarding macroeconomic performance, international competitiveness and how Sweden fulfils the goals of the Lisbon agenda. Furthermore, it will be investigated, whether the Swedish sceptical attitude towards European integration could be explained with a different development of the Swedish national economy, compared with the European economy