Life science patents granted, by technology in Iceland
Iceland: Life science patents granted, by technology was 3 patents in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by technology in Iceland, 1983–2021
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
The most recent figure for life science patents granted, by technology in Iceland is 3 patents, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 50.0% on the previous year and down 90.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by technology in Iceland peaked at 65 patents in 2008 and was at its lowest, 1 patents, in 1983.
That places Iceland 48th out of 65 countries with data for 2021, 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 Iceland, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 1 patents | — |
| 1984 | 2 patents | +100.0% |
| 1985 | 4 patents | +100.0% |
| 1986 | 3 patents | -25.0% |
| 1987 | 2 patents | -33.3% |
| 1988 | 3 patents | +50.0% |
| 1989 | 7 patents | +133.3% |
| 1990 | 4 patents | -42.9% |
| 1991 | 3 patents | -25.0% |
| 1992 | 3 patents | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 2 patents | -33.3% |
| 1994 | 6 patents | +200.0% |
| 1995 | 2 patents | -66.7% |
| 1996 | 13 patents | +550.0% |
| 1997 | 9 patents | -30.8% |
| 1998 | 8 patents | -11.1% |
| 1999 | 2 patents | -75.0% |
| 2000 | 6 patents | +200.0% |
| 2001 | 10 patents | +66.7% |
| 2002 | 8 patents | -20.0% |
| 2003 | 28 patents | +250.0% |
| 2004 | 23 patents | -17.9% |
| 2005 | 40 patents | +73.9% |
| 2006 | 40 patents | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 57 patents | +42.5% |
| 2008 | 65 patents | +14.0% |
| 2009 | 32 patents | -50.8% |
| 2010 | 54 patents | +68.8% |
| 2011 | 30 patents | -44.4% |
| 2012 | 20 patents | -33.3% |
| 2013 | 12 patents | -40.0% |
| 2014 | 22 patents | +83.3% |
| 2015 | 5 patents | -77.3% |
| 2016 | 7 patents | +40.0% |
| 2017 | 11 patents | +57.1% |
| 2018 | 5 patents | -54.5% |
| 2019 | 2 patents | -60.0% |
| 2020 | 2 patents | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 3 patents | +50.0% |
Iceland compared with similar countries
- Iceland's 3 patents is below the median for high income countries, which is 14 patents, 21% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
- Iceland's 3 patents is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.5 patents, 40% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Life science patents granted, by technology in Iceland changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | +550.0% | 2 patents | 13 patents |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.14 patents | 1 patents | 7 patents | 7 |
| 1990s | 5.2 patents | 2 patents | 13 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 30.9 patents | 6 patents | 65 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 16.8 patents | 2 patents | 54 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.5 patents | 2 patents | 3 patents | 2 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
More science & technology data for Iceland
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 120.93 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.23 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 475,724 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 4.67 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -0.4503 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.05 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 715.97 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0019 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by technology in Iceland?
- Life science patents granted, by technology in Iceland was 3 patents in 2021, 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 Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 65 patents in 2008.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 1 patents in 1983.
- How does Iceland rank for life science patents granted, by technology?
- Iceland ranks 48th out of 65 countries with data for 2021.
- Is life science patents granted, by technology rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 90.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iceland 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.