Life science patents granted, by technology in Malaysia
Malaysia: Life science patents granted, by technology was 343 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by technology in Malaysia, 1980–2023
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 Malaysia is 343 patents, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 26.9% on the previous year and up 53.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by technology in Malaysia peaked at 469 patents in 2022 and was at its lowest, 11 patents, in 1983.
That places Malaysia 11th out of 65 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Life science patents granted, by technology in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 18 patents | — |
| 1981 | 43 patents | +138.9% |
| 1982 | 23 patents | -46.5% |
| 1983 | 11 patents | -52.2% |
| 1984 | 30 patents | +172.7% |
| 1985 | 90 patents | +200.0% |
| 1990 | 18 patents | -80.0% |
| 1991 | 57 patents | +216.7% |
| 1992 | 110 patents | +93.0% |
| 1993 | 117 patents | +6.4% |
| 1994 | 81 patents | -30.8% |
| 1995 | 122 patents | +50.6% |
| 1996 | 77 patents | -36.9% |
| 1997 | 50 patents | -35.1% |
| 1998 | 29 patents | -42.0% |
| 1999 | 37 patents | +27.6% |
| 2000 | 22 patents | -40.5% |
| 2001 | 47 patents | +113.6% |
| 2002 | 70 patents | +48.9% |
| 2003 | 71 patents | +1.4% |
| 2004 | 134 patents | +88.7% |
| 2005 | 118 patents | -11.9% |
| 2006 | 303 patents | +156.8% |
| 2007 | 466 patents | +53.8% |
| 2008 | 148 patents | -68.2% |
| 2009 | 233 patents | +57.4% |
| 2010 | 160 patents | -31.3% |
| 2011 | 155 patents | -3.1% |
| 2012 | 184 patents | +18.7% |
| 2013 | 223 patents | +21.2% |
| 2014 | 181 patents | -18.8% |
| 2015 | 143 patents | -21.0% |
| 2016 | 225 patents | +57.3% |
| 2017 | 438 patents | +94.7% |
| 2018 | 202 patents | -53.9% |
| 2019 | 87 patents | -56.9% |
| 2020 | 114 patents | +31.0% |
| 2021 | 208 patents | +82.5% |
| 2022 | 469 patents | +125.5% |
| 2023 | 343 patents | -26.9% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 343 patents is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 27 patents, 12.7× the median. (16 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 343 patents is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 343 patents, 1.0× the median. (9 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 35.83 patents | 11 patents | 90 patents | 6 |
| 1990s | 69.8 patents | 18 patents | 122 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 161.2 patents | 22 patents | 466 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 199.8 patents | 87 patents | 438 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 283.5 patents | 114 patents | 469 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More science & technology data for Malaysia
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 139.66 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.4 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 49.66 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 152.6 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -2.15 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate -0.9474 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 23,691 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0007 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by technology in Malaysia?
- Life science patents granted, by technology in Malaysia was 343 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 Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 469 patents in 2022.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 11 patents in 1983.
- How does Malaysia rank for life science patents granted, by technology?
- Malaysia ranks 11th out of 65 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by technology rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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.