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 47th out of 64 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.
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
- Scientific and technical journal articles 715.97 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 475,724 (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 120.93 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 120.93 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 2 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 98.2% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 34 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 2.6% (2023)
- Human resources in science and technology (HRST) by category and NUTS 139.9 (2025)
- Number of people using the Internet 371,481 users (2021)
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 47th out of 64 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 39 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.