Life science patents granted, by technology in Spain
Spain: Life science patents granted, by technology was 30 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by technology in Spain, 1980–2023
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
Spain recorded 30 patents for life science patents granted, by technology in 2023.
That represents a change of up 11.1% on the previous year and down 73.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by technology in Spain peaked at 870 patents in 1985 and was at its lowest, 17 patents, in 1997.
Spain ranks 26th of 65 countries on this measure, 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 Spain, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 493 patents | — |
| 1981 | 429 patents | -13.0% |
| 1982 | 471 patents | +9.8% |
| 1983 | 626 patents | +32.9% |
| 1984 | 510 patents | -18.5% |
| 1985 | 870 patents | +70.6% |
| 1986 | 740 patents | -14.9% |
| 1987 | 691 patents | -6.6% |
| 1988 | 404 patents | -41.5% |
| 1989 | 213 patents | -47.3% |
| 1990 | 75 patents | -64.8% |
| 1991 | 59 patents | -21.3% |
| 1992 | 29 patents | -50.8% |
| 1993 | 30 patents | +3.4% |
| 1994 | 42 patents | +40.0% |
| 1995 | 55 patents | +31.0% |
| 1996 | 49 patents | -10.9% |
| 1997 | 17 patents | -65.3% |
| 1998 | 51 patents | +200.0% |
| 1999 | 45 patents | -11.8% |
| 2000 | 58 patents | +28.9% |
| 2001 | 50 patents | -13.8% |
| 2002 | 36 patents | -28.0% |
| 2003 | 55 patents | +52.8% |
| 2004 | 57 patents | +3.6% |
| 2005 | 90 patents | +57.9% |
| 2006 | 81 patents | -10.0% |
| 2007 | 74 patents | -8.6% |
| 2008 | 70 patents | -5.4% |
| 2009 | 99 patents | +41.4% |
| 2010 | 143 patents | +44.4% |
| 2011 | 128 patents | -10.5% |
| 2012 | 105 patents | -18.0% |
| 2013 | 115 patents | +9.5% |
| 2014 | 112 patents | -2.6% |
| 2015 | 114 patents | +1.8% |
| 2016 | 61 patents | -46.5% |
| 2017 | 64 patents | +4.9% |
| 2018 | 73 patents | +14.1% |
| 2019 | 47 patents | -35.6% |
| 2020 | 30 patents | -36.2% |
| 2021 | 25 patents | -16.7% |
| 2022 | 27 patents | +8.0% |
| 2023 | 30 patents | +11.1% |
Spain compared with similar countries
- Spain's 30 patents is above the median for high income countries, which is 14 patents, 2.1× the median. (41 countries reporting)
- Spain's 30 patents is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.5 patents, 4.0× the median. (38 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Life science patents granted, by technology in Spain 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | +200.0% | 17 patents | 51 patents |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 544.7 patents | 213 patents | 870 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 45.2 patents | 17 patents | 75 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 67 patents | 36 patents | 99 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 96.2 patents | 47 patents | 143 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 28 patents | 25 patents | 30 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near Spain
More science & technology data for Spain
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 130.26 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.28 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 62.41 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 122.45 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 1.99 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.99 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 60,304 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0012 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by technology in Spain?
- Life science patents granted, by technology in Spain was 30 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 Spain?
- The highest recorded value was 870 patents in 1985.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in Spain?
- The lowest recorded value was 17 patents in 1997.
- How does Spain rank for life science patents granted, by technology?
- Spain ranks 26th out of 65 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by technology rising or falling in Spain?
- Over the last ten years it is down 73.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Spain 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.