Italy vs South Africa: Life science patents granted, by technology
Italy
1 patents
in 2015
South Africa
2 patents
in 2023
Italy rank
55th
South Africa rank
52nd
Life science patents granted, by technology over time
- Italy
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 2 patents against 1 patents in Italy, a difference of 1 patents.
That makes South Africa's figure about 2.0 times Italy's.
The two have swapped places 2 times across 30 shared years of data; in 1980 it was South Africa ahead.
Italy ranks 55th and South Africa ranks 52nd of 65 countries.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Italy | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 253.8 patents | 464.6 patents | 210.8 patents | South Africa |
| 1990s | 126.1 patents | 572.4 patents | 446.3 patents | South Africa |
| 2000s | 51 patents | 570.8 patents | 519.8 patents | South Africa |
| 2010s | 28.4 patents | 345.6 patents | 317.2 patents | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher life science patents granted, by technology, Italy or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 2 patents against 1 patents in Italy as of 2023.
- What is the difference in life science patents granted, by technology between Italy and South Africa?
- 1 patents, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Italy and South Africa?
- 30 years are reported by both, from 1980 to 2015.
- How do Italy and South Africa rank globally for life science patents granted, by technology?
- Italy ranks 55th and South Africa ranks 52nd of 65 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) β processed by Our World in Data, published as Life science patents granted, by technology. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Number of pharmaceutical patents granted by the filing office in a given year. Pharmaceutical patents typically cover new drugs, biological treatments or vaccines.