Life science patents granted, by technology in Canada
Canada: Life science patents granted, by technology was 2,144 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by technology in Canada, 1980–2023
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
Canada recorded 2,144 patents for life science patents granted, by technology in 2023. That is the highest value across all 44 years on record.
The figure is up 55.2% on the previous year and up 5.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by technology in Canada peaked at 2,144 patents in 2023 and was at its lowest, 248 patents, in 1996.
Canada ranks 5th of 65 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Life science patents granted, by technology in Canada, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 547 patents | — |
| 1981 | 544 patents | -0.5% |
| 1982 | 515 patents | -5.3% |
| 1983 | 485 patents | -5.8% |
| 1984 | 528 patents | +8.9% |
| 1985 | 492 patents | -6.8% |
| 1986 | 498 patents | +1.2% |
| 1987 | 411 patents | -17.5% |
| 1988 | 489 patents | +19.0% |
| 1989 | 577 patents | +18.0% |
| 1990 | 509 patents | -11.8% |
| 1991 | 497 patents | -2.4% |
| 1992 | 652 patents | +31.2% |
| 1993 | 534 patents | -18.1% |
| 1994 | 445 patents | -16.7% |
| 1995 | 412 patents | -7.4% |
| 1996 | 248 patents | -39.8% |
| 1997 | 276 patents | +11.3% |
| 1998 | 325 patents | +17.8% |
| 1999 | 535 patents | +64.6% |
| 2000 | 557 patents | +4.1% |
| 2001 | 611 patents | +9.7% |
| 2002 | 792 patents | +29.6% |
| 2003 | 719 patents | -9.2% |
| 2004 | 580 patents | -19.3% |
| 2005 | 688 patents | +18.6% |
| 2006 | 841 patents | +22.2% |
| 2007 | 1,089 patents | +29.5% |
| 2008 | 1,346 patents | +23.6% |
| 2009 | 1,525 patents | +13.3% |
| 2010 | 1,583 patents | +3.8% |
| 2011 | 1,991 patents | +25.8% |
| 2012 | 1,930 patents | -3.1% |
| 2013 | 2,031 patents | +5.2% |
| 2014 | 1,760 patents | -13.3% |
| 2015 | 1,559 patents | -11.4% |
| 2016 | 1,997 patents | +28.1% |
| 2017 | 1,689 patents | -15.4% |
| 2018 | 1,662 patents | -1.6% |
| 2019 | 1,567 patents | -5.7% |
| 2020 | 1,523 patents | -2.8% |
| 2021 | 1,898 patents | +24.6% |
| 2022 | 1,381 patents | -27.2% |
| 2023 | 2,144 patents | +55.2% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 2,144 patents is above the median for high income countries, which is 14 patents, 153.1× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 508.6 patents | 411 patents | 577 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 443.3 patents | 248 patents | 652 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 874.8 patents | 557 patents | 1,525 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,777 patents | 1,559 patents | 2,031 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,736 patents | 1,381 patents | 2,144 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More science & technology data for Canada
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 94.11 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 0.9064 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 37.40 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 4.21 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -0.0464 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.08 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 63,720 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0016 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by technology in Canada?
- Life science patents granted, by technology in Canada was 2,144 patents in 2023, according to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 2,144 patents in 2023.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 248 patents in 1996.
- How does Canada rank for life science patents granted, by technology?
- Canada ranks 5th out of 65 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by technology rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Life science patents granted, by technology. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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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.