Swedish GDP shrinks 0.2pct in May from April
Compared to a year ago, GDP was 0.5 per cent higher, the data showed.
"The Swedish economy saw a minor contraction in May, weighed down by lower output in service-producing industries and general government," Statistics Sweden said in a statement.
"Seen from the use side of the economy, the downturn was explained among other factors by lower figures for household consumption and a weakening of net exports concerning goods."
The economy stalled and shrank 0.2 per cent in the first quarter as a whole.
On June 18, the central bank cut its key rate to 2.00 per cent to help boost growth and said a benign outlook for inflation meant it might be possible to ease monetary policy again this year.
However, June inflation came in well above the Riksbank's and analysts' forecasts, leaving rate-setters with a difficult decision when they meet next in August.
Other data on Thursday showed household consumption decreased 1.2 per cent in May from April, while private production slipped 0.1 per cent from the previous month.
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