Life science patents granted, by filing office in Spain
Spain: Life science patents granted, by filing office was 106 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by filing office in Spain, 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 Spain stood at 106 patents.
The figure is up 21.8% on the previous year and down 72.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by filing office in Spain peaked at 1,249 patents in 1985 and was at its lowest, 56 patents, in 1997.
Spain ranks 18th of 70 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 filing office in Spain, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 722 patents | — |
| 1981 | 634 patents | -12.2% |
| 1982 | 715 patents | +12.8% |
| 1983 | 952 patents | +33.1% |
| 1984 | 838 patents | -12.0% |
| 1985 | 1,249 patents | +49.0% |
| 1986 | 1,171 patents | -6.2% |
| 1987 | 1,103 patents | -5.8% |
| 1988 | 694 patents | -37.1% |
| 1989 | 522 patents | -24.8% |
| 1990 | 234 patents | -55.2% |
| 1991 | 152 patents | -35.0% |
| 1992 | 145 patents | -4.6% |
| 1993 | 80 patents | -44.8% |
| 1994 | 114 patents | +42.5% |
| 1995 | 138 patents | +21.1% |
| 1996 | 119 patents | -13.8% |
| 1997 | 56 patents | -52.9% |
| 1998 | 158 patents | +182.1% |
| 1999 | 162 patents | +2.5% |
| 2000 | 199 patents | +22.8% |
| 2001 | 179 patents | -10.1% |
| 2002 | 120 patents | -33.0% |
| 2003 | 163 patents | +35.8% |
| 2004 | 187 patents | +14.7% |
| 2005 | 309 patents | +65.2% |
| 2006 | 218 patents | -29.4% |
| 2007 | 239 patents | +9.6% |
| 2008 | 179 patents | -25.1% |
| 2009 | 301 patents | +68.2% |
| 2010 | 378 patents | +25.6% |
| 2011 | 362 patents | -4.2% |
| 2012 | 321 patents | -11.3% |
| 2013 | 381 patents | +18.7% |
| 2014 | 357 patents | -6.3% |
| 2015 | 358 patents | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 250 patents | -30.2% |
| 2017 | 245 patents | -2.0% |
| 2018 | 242 patents | -1.2% |
| 2019 | 156 patents | -35.5% |
| 2020 | 78 patents | -50.0% |
| 2021 | 93 patents | +19.2% |
| 2022 | 87 patents | -6.5% |
| 2023 | 106 patents | +21.8% |
Spain compared with similar countries
- Spain's 106 patents is above the median for high income countries, which is 28 patents, 3.8× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Spain's 106 patents is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 25.5 patents, 4.2× the median. (40 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 860 patents | 522 patents | 1,249 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 135.8 patents | 56 patents | 234 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 209.4 patents | 120 patents | 309 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 305 patents | 156 patents | 381 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 91 patents | 78 patents | 106 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)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 134 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 134 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by filing office in Spain?
- Life science patents granted, by filing office in Spain was 106 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 Spain?
- The highest recorded value was 1,249 patents in 1985.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by filing office recorded in Spain?
- The lowest recorded value was 56 patents in 1997.
- How does Spain rank for life science patents granted, by filing office?
- Spain ranks 18th out of 70 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by filing office rising or falling in Spain?
- Over the last ten years it is down 72.2%. 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 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.