Life science patents granted, by technology in South Korea
South Korea: Life science patents granted, by technology was 2,686 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
2,686 patents
Change on year
up 4.2%
World rank
4th
of 65 countries
All-time high
3,116 patents
in 2017
All-time low
39 patents
in 1980
Years of data
44
1980–2023
Life science patents granted, by technology in South Korea, 1980–2023
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 2,686 patents for life science patents granted, by technology in 2023.
That represents a change of up 4.2% on the previous year and up 11.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by technology in South Korea peaked at 3,116 patents in 2017 and was at its lowest, 39 patents, in 1980.
South Korea ranks 4th of 65 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Life science patents granted, by technology in South Korea, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 39 patents | — |
| 1981 | 82 patents | +110.3% |
| 1982 | 51 patents | -37.8% |
| 1983 | 58 patents | +13.7% |
| 1984 | 88 patents | +51.7% |
| 1985 | 91 patents | +3.4% |
| 1986 | 90 patents | -1.1% |
| 1987 | 110 patents | +22.2% |
| 1988 | 133 patents | +20.9% |
| 1989 | 129 patents | -3.0% |
| 1990 | 251 patents | +94.6% |
| 1991 | 200 patents | -20.3% |
| 1992 | 202 patents | +1.0% |
| 1993 | 187 patents | -7.4% |
| 1994 | 153 patents | -18.2% |
| 1995 | 244 patents | +59.5% |
| 1996 | 305 patents | +25.0% |
| 1997 | 258 patents | -15.4% |
| 1998 | 581 patents | +125.2% |
| 1999 | 1,092 patents | +88.0% |
| 2000 | 498 patents | -54.4% |
| 2001 | 453 patents | -9.0% |
| 2002 | 609 patents | +34.4% |
| 2003 | 783 patents | +28.6% |
| 2004 | 725 patents | -7.4% |
| 2005 | 1,211 patents | +67.0% |
| 2006 | 1,809 patents | +49.4% |
| 2007 | 1,774 patents | -1.9% |
| 2008 | 1,491 patents | -16.0% |
| 2009 | 867 patents | -41.9% |
| 2010 | 864 patents | -0.3% |
| 2011 | 1,407 patents | +62.8% |
| 2012 | 2,095 patents | +48.9% |
| 2013 | 2,400 patents | +14.6% |
| 2014 | 2,944 patents | +22.7% |
| 2015 | 2,333 patents | -20.8% |
| 2016 | 2,567 patents | +10.0% |
| 2017 | 3,116 patents | +21.4% |
| 2018 | 2,663 patents | -14.5% |
| 2019 | 2,545 patents | -4.4% |
| 2020 | 2,750 patents | +8.1% |
| 2021 | 2,926 patents | +6.4% |
| 2022 | 2,577 patents | -11.9% |
| 2023 | 2,686 patents | +4.2% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 2,686 patents is above the median for high income countries, which is 14 patents, 191.9× the median. (41 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 2,686 patents is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 343 patents, 7.8× the median. (9 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 87.1 patents | 39 patents | 133 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 347.3 patents | 153 patents | 1,092 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,022 patents | 453 patents | 1,809 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,293 patents | 864 patents | 3,116 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,735 patents | 2,577 patents | 2,926 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More science & technology data for South Korea
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 172.52 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.72 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 89.22 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 859.55 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 6.42 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 6.36 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 71,724 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0014 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by technology in South Korea?
- Life science patents granted, by technology in South Korea was 2,686 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 South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 3,116 patents in 2017.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 39 patents in 1980.
- How does South Korea rank for life science patents granted, by technology?
- South Korea ranks 4th out of 65 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by technology rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea 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.