Life science patents granted, by technology in Switzerland
Switzerland: Life science patents granted, by technology was 6 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
6 patents
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
42nd
of 65 countries
All-time high
400 patents
in 1984
All-time low
3 patents
in 2013
Years of data
44
1980–2023
Life science patents granted, by technology in Switzerland, 1980–2023
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
Switzerland recorded 6 patents for life science patents granted, by technology in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 100.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by technology in Switzerland peaked at 400 patents in 1984 and was at its lowest, 3 patents, in 2013.
That places Switzerland 42nd out of 65 countries with data for 2023, 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 Switzerland, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 221 patents | — |
| 1981 | 277 patents | +25.3% |
| 1982 | 353 patents | +27.4% |
| 1983 | 367 patents | +4.0% |
| 1984 | 400 patents | +9.0% |
| 1985 | 296 patents | -26.0% |
| 1986 | 176 patents | -40.5% |
| 1987 | 125 patents | -29.0% |
| 1988 | 154 patents | +23.2% |
| 1989 | 98 patents | -36.4% |
| 1990 | 94 patents | -4.1% |
| 1991 | 83 patents | -11.7% |
| 1992 | 56 patents | -32.5% |
| 1993 | 46 patents | -17.9% |
| 1994 | 47 patents | +2.2% |
| 1995 | 30 patents | -36.2% |
| 1996 | 25 patents | -16.7% |
| 1997 | 10 patents | -60.0% |
| 1998 | 12 patents | +20.0% |
| 1999 | 12 patents | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 13 patents | +8.3% |
| 2001 | 17 patents | +30.8% |
| 2002 | 22 patents | +29.4% |
| 2003 | 9 patents | -59.1% |
| 2004 | 21 patents | +133.3% |
| 2005 | 12 patents | -42.9% |
| 2006 | 19 patents | +58.3% |
| 2007 | 13 patents | -31.6% |
| 2008 | 12 patents | -7.7% |
| 2009 | 15 patents | +25.0% |
| 2010 | 21 patents | +40.0% |
| 2011 | 8 patents | -61.9% |
| 2012 | 12 patents | +50.0% |
| 2013 | 3 patents | -75.0% |
| 2014 | 4 patents | +33.3% |
| 2015 | 5 patents | +25.0% |
| 2016 | 8 patents | +60.0% |
| 2017 | 6 patents | -25.0% |
| 2018 | 8 patents | +33.3% |
| 2019 | 6 patents | -25.0% |
| 2020 | 9 patents | +50.0% |
| 2021 | 5 patents | -44.4% |
| 2022 | 6 patents | +20.0% |
| 2023 | 6 patents | +0.0% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 6 patents is below the median for high income countries, which is 14 patents, 43% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 6 patents is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.5 patents, 80% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 246.7 patents | 98 patents | 400 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 41.5 patents | 10 patents | 94 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 15.3 patents | 9 patents | 22 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.1 patents | 3 patents | 21 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.5 patents | 5 patents | 9 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More science & technology data for Switzerland
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 129.47 (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 11.55 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 292.37 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -0.5767 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 271 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 271 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by technology in Switzerland?
- Life science patents granted, by technology in Switzerland was 6 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 400 patents in 1984.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 3 patents in 2013.
- How does Switzerland rank for life science patents granted, by technology?
- Switzerland ranks 42nd out of 65 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by technology rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 100.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Switzerland 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.