Life science patents granted, by technology in Germany
Germany: Life science patents granted, by technology was 18 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by technology in Germany, 1980–2023
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 Germany stood at 18 patents.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 21.7% on the previous year and down 28.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by technology in Germany peaked at 280 patents in 1982 and was at its lowest, 9 patents, in 2020.
That places Germany 30th out of 65 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Life science patents granted, by technology in Germany, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 207 patents | — |
| 1981 | 149 patents | -28.0% |
| 1982 | 280 patents | +87.9% |
| 1983 | 176 patents | -37.1% |
| 1984 | 171 patents | -2.8% |
| 1985 | 200 patents | +17.0% |
| 1986 | 239 patents | +19.5% |
| 1987 | 250 patents | +4.6% |
| 1988 | 221 patents | -11.6% |
| 1989 | 228 patents | +3.2% |
| 1990 | 171 patents | -25.0% |
| 1991 | 136 patents | -20.5% |
| 1992 | 140 patents | +2.9% |
| 1993 | 101 patents | -27.9% |
| 1994 | 109 patents | +7.9% |
| 1995 | 96 patents | -11.9% |
| 1996 | 104 patents | +8.3% |
| 1997 | 115 patents | +10.6% |
| 1998 | 105 patents | -8.7% |
| 1999 | 97 patents | -7.6% |
| 2000 | 71 patents | -26.8% |
| 2001 | 53 patents | -25.4% |
| 2002 | 77 patents | +45.3% |
| 2003 | 66 patents | -14.3% |
| 2004 | 73 patents | +10.6% |
| 2005 | 79 patents | +8.2% |
| 2006 | 115 patents | +45.6% |
| 2007 | 92 patents | -20.0% |
| 2008 | 61 patents | -33.7% |
| 2009 | 51 patents | -16.4% |
| 2010 | 36 patents | -29.4% |
| 2011 | 31 patents | -13.9% |
| 2012 | 29 patents | -6.5% |
| 2013 | 25 patents | -13.8% |
| 2014 | 23 patents | -8.0% |
| 2015 | 17 patents | -26.1% |
| 2016 | 14 patents | -17.6% |
| 2017 | 27 patents | +92.9% |
| 2018 | 16 patents | -40.7% |
| 2019 | 15 patents | -6.2% |
| 2020 | 9 patents | -40.0% |
| 2021 | 20 patents | +122.2% |
| 2022 | 23 patents | +15.0% |
| 2023 | 18 patents | -21.7% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 18 patents is above the median for high income countries, which is 14 patents, 1.3× the median. (41 countries reporting)
- Germany's 18 patents is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.5 patents, 2.4× the median. (38 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 212.1 patents | 149 patents | 280 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 117.4 patents | 96 patents | 171 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 73.8 patents | 51 patents | 115 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 23.3 patents | 14 patents | 36 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 17.5 patents | 9 patents | 23 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near Germany
More science & technology data for Germany
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 129.15 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.31 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 109.20 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 301.63 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 3.6 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 3.61 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 108,782 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0013 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by technology in Germany?
- Life science patents granted, by technology in Germany was 18 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 Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 280 patents in 1982.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 9 patents in 2020.
- How does Germany rank for life science patents granted, by technology?
- Germany ranks 30th out of 65 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by technology rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is down 28.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Germany 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.