South Korea vs United States: Life science patents granted, by technology
South Korea
2,686 patents
in 2023
United States
6,365 patents
in 2023
South Korea rank
4th
United States rank
2nd
Life science patents granted, by technology over time
- South Korea
- United States
How they compare
United States currently reports 6,365 patents against 2,686 patents in South Korea, a difference of 3,679 patents.
That makes United States's figure about 2.4 times South Korea's.
Across all 44 years both countries report, United States has been ahead every year.
South Korea ranks 4th and United States ranks 2nd of 65 countries.
United States has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Korea | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 87.1 patents | 1,148 patents | 1,061 patents | United States |
| 1990s | 347.3 patents | 2,539 patents | 2,192 patents | United States |
| 2000s | 1,022 patents | 3,755 patents | 2,733 patents | United States |
| 2010s | 2,293 patents | 6,571 patents | 4,278 patents | United States |
| 2020s | 2,735 patents | 7,242 patents | 4,507 patents | United States |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher life science patents granted, by technology, South Korea or United States?
- United States, at 6,365 patents against 2,686 patents in South Korea as of 2023.
- What is the difference in life science patents granted, by technology between South Korea and United States?
- 3,679 patents, with United States ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Korea and United States?
- 44 years are reported by both, from 1980 to 2023.
- How do South Korea and United States rank globally for life science patents granted, by technology?
- South Korea ranks 4th and United States ranks 2nd 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.