Stockholm, March 28 : Forecast for Sweden's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013 growth had been raised from the earlier 0.8 percent to 1.3 percent, Swedish media reported.

The National Institute of Economic Research (NIER) of Sweden expressed the optimism in the Swedish economic development, reported Xinhua citing the Swedish media.

"We now have a more optimistic view on the unemployment rate than in December last year. It is no longer increasing and is more stable," said Jesper Hansson, with the NIER.

Besides, confidence in the economy among companies and households had also increased though the Swedish economy was still weaker than usual.(IANS)