Life science patents granted, by filing office in South Korea
South Korea: Life science patents granted, by filing office was 11,782 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by filing office in South Korea, 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 South Korea stood at 11,782 patents.
The figure is up 5.1% on the previous year and up 51.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by filing office in South Korea peaked at 12,299 patents in 2021 and was at its lowest, 66 patents, in 1980.
That places South Korea 4th out of 70 countries with data for 2023, putting it 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 South Korea, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 66 patents | — |
| 1981 | 140 patents | +112.1% |
| 1982 | 108 patents | -22.9% |
| 1983 | 120 patents | +11.1% |
| 1984 | 156 patents | +30.0% |
| 1985 | 136 patents | -12.8% |
| 1986 | 170 patents | +25.0% |
| 1987 | 182 patents | +7.1% |
| 1988 | 230 patents | +26.4% |
| 1989 | 299 patents | +30.0% |
| 1990 | 512 patents | +71.2% |
| 1991 | 464 patents | -9.4% |
| 1992 | 486 patents | +4.7% |
| 1993 | 442 patents | -9.1% |
| 1994 | 402 patents | -9.0% |
| 1995 | 486 patents | +20.9% |
| 1996 | 714 patents | +46.9% |
| 1997 | 733 patents | +2.7% |
| 1998 | 1,360 patents | +85.5% |
| 1999 | 2,526 patents | +85.7% |
| 2000 | 1,375 patents | -45.6% |
| 2001 | 1,133 patents | -17.6% |
| 2002 | 1,792 patents | +58.2% |
| 2003 | 2,032 patents | +13.4% |
| 2004 | 2,386 patents | +17.4% |
| 2005 | 3,431 patents | +43.8% |
| 2006 | 5,005 patents | +45.9% |
| 2007 | 5,227 patents | +4.4% |
| 2008 | 4,458 patents | -14.7% |
| 2009 | 2,940 patents | -34.1% |
| 2010 | 3,396 patents | +15.5% |
| 2011 | 5,084 patents | +49.7% |
| 2012 | 6,927 patents | +36.3% |
| 2013 | 7,782 patents | +12.3% |
| 2014 | 8,701 patents | +11.8% |
| 2015 | 7,636 patents | -12.2% |
| 2016 | 8,503 patents | +11.4% |
| 2017 | 9,752 patents | +14.7% |
| 2018 | 9,106 patents | -6.6% |
| 2019 | 9,234 patents | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 10,685 patents | +15.7% |
| 2021 | 12,299 patents | +15.1% |
| 2022 | 11,205 patents | -8.9% |
| 2023 | 11,782 patents | +5.1% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 11,782 patents is above the median for high income countries, which is 28 patents, 420.8× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 160.7 patents | 66 patents | 299 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 812.5 patents | 402 patents | 2,526 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,978 patents | 1,133 patents | 5,227 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 7,612 patents | 3,396 patents | 9,752 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 11,493 patents | 10,685 patents | 12,299 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More science & technology data for South Korea
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 172.52 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.72 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 89.22 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 859.55 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 6.42 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 6.36 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 50,459 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 50,459 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by filing office in South Korea?
- Life science patents granted, by filing office in South Korea was 11,782 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 South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 12,299 patents in 2021.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by filing office recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 66 patents in 1980.
- How does South Korea rank for life science patents granted, by filing office?
- South Korea ranks 4th out of 70 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by filing office rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 51.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea 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.