Life science patents granted, by technology in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Life science patents granted, by technology was 101 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
101 patents
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
15th
of 65 countries
All-time high
500 patents
in 1980
All-time low
26 patents
in 2015
Years of data
44
1980–2023
Life science patents granted, by technology in United Kingdom, 1980–2023
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 101 patents for life science patents granted, by technology in 2023.
The figure is up 134.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by technology in United Kingdom peaked at 500 patents in 1980 and was at its lowest, 26 patents, in 2015.
United Kingdom ranks 15th of 65 countries on this measure, 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 United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 500 patents | — |
| 1981 | 388 patents | -22.4% |
| 1982 | 442 patents | +13.9% |
| 1983 | 459 patents | +3.8% |
| 1984 | 319 patents | -30.5% |
| 1985 | 335 patents | +5.0% |
| 1986 | 224 patents | -33.1% |
| 1987 | 206 patents | -8.0% |
| 1988 | 154 patents | -25.2% |
| 1989 | 179 patents | +16.2% |
| 1990 | 177 patents | -1.1% |
| 1991 | 162 patents | -8.5% |
| 1992 | 115 patents | -29.0% |
| 1993 | 81 patents | -29.6% |
| 1994 | 75 patents | -7.4% |
| 1995 | 76 patents | +1.3% |
| 1996 | 56 patents | -26.3% |
| 1997 | 59 patents | +5.4% |
| 1998 | 71 patents | +20.3% |
| 1999 | 72 patents | +1.4% |
| 2000 | 64 patents | -11.1% |
| 2001 | 61 patents | -4.7% |
| 2002 | 53 patents | -13.1% |
| 2003 | 66 patents | +24.5% |
| 2004 | 123 patents | +86.4% |
| 2005 | 85 patents | -30.9% |
| 2006 | 59 patents | -30.6% |
| 2007 | 55 patents | -6.8% |
| 2008 | 56 patents | +1.8% |
| 2009 | 61 patents | +8.9% |
| 2010 | 82 patents | +34.4% |
| 2011 | 80 patents | -2.4% |
| 2012 | 71 patents | -11.2% |
| 2013 | 43 patents | -39.4% |
| 2014 | 35 patents | -18.6% |
| 2015 | 26 patents | -25.7% |
| 2016 | 29 patents | +11.5% |
| 2017 | 52 patents | +79.3% |
| 2018 | 54 patents | +3.8% |
| 2019 | 44 patents | -18.5% |
| 2020 | 77 patents | +75.0% |
| 2021 | 55 patents | -28.6% |
| 2022 | 101 patents | +83.6% |
| 2023 | 101 patents | +0.0% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 101 patents is above the median for high income countries, which is 14 patents, 7.2× the median. (41 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 101 patents is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.5 patents, 13.5× the median. (38 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 320.6 patents | 154 patents | 500 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 94.4 patents | 56 patents | 177 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 68.3 patents | 53 patents | 123 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 51.6 patents | 26 patents | 82 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 83.5 patents | 55 patents | 101 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More science & technology data for United Kingdom
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 121.64 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.21 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 84.10 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 348.57 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -0.9277 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate -0.2704 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 7,847 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 7,847 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by technology in United Kingdom?
- Life science patents granted, by technology in United Kingdom was 101 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 500 patents in 1980.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by technology recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 26 patents in 2015.
- How does United Kingdom rank for life science patents granted, by technology?
- United Kingdom ranks 15th out of 65 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by technology rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 134.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.