1990tallet

1990tallet, or the 1990s, refers to the decade spanning from 1990 to 1999. The term is used in Swedish and other Nordic languages to denote this period. The decade was characterized by significant geopolitical shifts, rapid technological change, and evolving cultural and economic patterns that shaped the turn of the millennium.

Geopolitically, the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 ended the Cold War era and led to major realignments in Europe and beyond. Conflicts during the decade included the Gulf War of 1990–1991, the Yugoslav wars from the early to late 1990s, and the Kosovo War of 1998–1999. The European Union expanded during the decade, with Sweden joining in 1995. Global temperature policy gained prominence with the Kyoto Protocol adopted in 1997, signaling growing international efforts to address climate change.

Economically, the decade saw a transition from post‑recession recovery to a new phase of globalization and technological growth. The late 1990s were driven by the internet’s rapid expansion, the World Wide Web becoming mainstream, and the emergence of the dot‑com era. The telecommunications sector expanded with the spread of mobile phones and digital networks. Financial crises affected various regions, notably the Asian financial crisis of 1997–1998.

Culture and science also evolved, with digital media, video games, and international media markets expanding in influence. Scientific projects accelerated, including early milestones in genomics and space research. The 1990s left a lasting impact on politics, economics, technology, and culture, shaping developments in the 21st century.