Life science patents granted, by filing office in Canada
Canada: Life science patents granted, by filing office was 5,904 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by filing office in Canada, 1980–2023
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in patents.
Analysis
In 2023, life science patents granted, by filing office in Canada stood at 5,904 patents. That is the highest value across all 44 years on record.
The figure is up 54.4% on the previous year and up 21.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by filing office in Canada peaked at 5,904 patents in 2023 and was at its lowest, 677 patents, in 1997.
Canada ranks 5th of 70 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 filing office in Canada, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 1,201 patents | — |
| 1981 | 1,253 patents | +4.3% |
| 1982 | 1,307 patents | +4.3% |
| 1983 | 1,318 patents | +0.8% |
| 1984 | 1,375 patents | +4.3% |
| 1985 | 1,368 patents | -0.5% |
| 1986 | 1,249 patents | -8.7% |
| 1987 | 1,025 patents | -17.9% |
| 1988 | 1,271 patents | +24.0% |
| 1989 | 1,412 patents | +11.1% |
| 1990 | 1,242 patents | -12.0% |
| 1991 | 1,387 patents | +11.7% |
| 1992 | 1,794 patents | +29.3% |
| 1993 | 1,578 patents | -12.0% |
| 1994 | 1,113 patents | -29.5% |
| 1995 | 1,057 patents | -5.0% |
| 1996 | 719 patents | -32.0% |
| 1997 | 677 patents | -5.8% |
| 1998 | 970 patents | +43.3% |
| 1999 | 1,670 patents | +72.2% |
| 2000 | 1,568 patents | -6.1% |
| 2001 | 1,694 patents | +8.0% |
| 2002 | 1,930 patents | +13.9% |
| 2003 | 1,841 patents | -4.6% |
| 2004 | 1,594 patents | -13.4% |
| 2005 | 2,030 patents | +27.4% |
| 2006 | 2,185 patents | +7.6% |
| 2007 | 3,179 patents | +45.5% |
| 2008 | 3,418 patents | +7.5% |
| 2009 | 3,625 patents | +6.1% |
| 2010 | 3,741 patents | +3.2% |
| 2011 | 4,552 patents | +21.7% |
| 2012 | 4,560 patents | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 4,880 patents | +7.0% |
| 2014 | 4,724 patents | -3.2% |
| 2015 | 4,190 patents | -11.3% |
| 2016 | 5,058 patents | +20.7% |
| 2017 | 4,683 patents | -7.4% |
| 2018 | 4,768 patents | +1.8% |
| 2019 | 4,495 patents | -5.7% |
| 2020 | 4,312 patents | -4.1% |
| 2021 | 5,074 patents | +17.7% |
| 2022 | 3,824 patents | -24.6% |
| 2023 | 5,904 patents | +54.4% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 5,904 patents is above the median for high income countries, which is 28 patents, 210.9× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1,278 patents | 1,025 patents | 1,412 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 1,221 patents | 677 patents | 1,794 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,306 patents | 1,568 patents | 3,625 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,565 patents | 3,741 patents | 5,058 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,778 patents | 3,824 patents | 5,904 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More science & technology data for Canada
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 94.11 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 0.9064 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 37.40 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 4.21 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -0.0464 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.08 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 31,070 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 31,070 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by filing office in Canada?
- Life science patents granted, by filing office in Canada was 5,904 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 filing office recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 5,904 patents in 2023.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by filing office recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 677 patents in 1997.
- How does Canada rank for life science patents granted, by filing office?
- Canada ranks 5th out of 70 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by filing office rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 21.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada 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 filing office. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Patents granted within the fields of medical technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals by filing office. These patents cover a wide range of innovations, such as medical devices, diagnostic methods, genetic engineering techniques, biotechnological processes and new drugs.