Life science patents granted, by technology in China
China: Life science patents granted, by technology was 14,477 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by technology in China, 1993–2023
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
In 2023, life science patents granted, by technology in China stood at 14,477 patents. That is the highest value across all 31 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 12.4% on the previous year and up 39.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by technology in China peaked at 14,477 patents in 2023 and was at its lowest, 107 patents, in 1993.
That places China 1st out of 64 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 167.29 patents | 107 patents | 340 patents | 7 |
| 2000s | 2,981 patents | 1,117 patents | 4,832 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 8,816 patents | 5,816 patents | 10,936 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 12,366 patents | 8,999 patents | 14,477 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near China
- 2 United States 6,365 patents compare
- 3 Japan 4,732 patents compare
- 4 South Korea 2,686 patents compare
More science & technology data for China
- Scientific and technical journal articles 932,712 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 1.87 billion (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 131.75 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 131.75 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 159,019 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 91.6% (2025)
- Patent applications, residents 1.43 million (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 2.6% (2023)
- Number of people using the Internet 1.04 billion users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 47.19 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by technology in China?
- Life science patents granted, by technology in China was 14,477 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 14,477 patents in 2023.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 107 patents in 1993.
- How does China rank for life science patents granted, by technology?
- China ranks 1st out of 64 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by technology rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 39.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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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CSV · JSON — 31 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
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.