Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on Thursday hailed the choice of Swedish poet Tomas Tranströmer as the 2011 Nobel Literature Prize laureate, saying he hoped it would increase reading in the country.

"I am happy and proud that Tomas Tranströmer has won the Nobel Prize in Literature. I know that many have hoped for this for a long time," he said.

"This gives increased attention to Swedish literature overseas. I also hope it will help contribute to increased reading in Sweden," he added.

Transtroemer, 80, was honoured "because, through his condensed, translucent images, he gives us fresh access to reality," the Swedish Academy's jury said.