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 29th out of 64 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.
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
- Scientific and technical journal articles 108,782 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 109.20 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 129.15 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 129.15 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 18,747 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 93.5% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 39,822 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 3.2% (2023)
- Human resources in science and technology (HRST) by category and NUTS 26,845 Thousand persons (2025)
- Number of people using the Internet 76.52 million users (2021)
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 29th out of 64 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.