South Korea vs United States: Life science patents granted, by filing office
South Korea
11,782 patents
in 2023
United States
31,977 patents
in 2023
South Korea rank
4th
United States rank
2nd
Life science patents granted, by filing office over time
- South Korea
- United States
How they compare
United States currently reports 31,977 patents against 11,782 patents in South Korea, a difference of 20,195 patents.
That makes United States's figure about 2.7 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 70 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 | 160.7 patents | 4,420 patents | 4,260 patents | United States |
| 1990s | 812.5 patents | 10,556 patents | 9,744 patents | United States |
| 2000s | 2,978 patents | 14,395 patents | 11,417 patents | United States |
| 2010s | 7,612 patents | 27,626 patents | 20,014 patents | United States |
| 2020s | 11,493 patents | 34,010 patents | 22,517 patents | United States |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher life science patents granted, by filing office, South Korea or United States?
- United States, at 31,977 patents against 11,782 patents in South Korea as of 2023.
- What is the difference in life science patents granted, by filing office between South Korea and United States?
- 20,195 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 filing office?
- South Korea ranks 4th and United States ranks 2nd of 70 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 filing office. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Patents granted within the fields of medical technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals by filing office. These patents cover a wide range of innovations, such as medical devices, diagnostic methods, genetic engineering techniques, biotechnological processes and new drugs.