Life science patents granted, by filing office in Sweden
Sweden: Life science patents granted, by filing office was 46 patents in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Life science patents granted, by filing office in Sweden, 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 Sweden stood at 46 patents.
That represents a change of up 7.0% on the previous year and up 17.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life science patents granted, by filing office in Sweden peaked at 213 patents in 2002 and was at its lowest, 0 patents, in 1981.
Sweden ranks 21st of 70 countries on this measure, 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 filing office in Sweden, year by year
| Year | patents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 2 patents | — |
| 1981 | 0 patents | -100.0% |
| 1982 | 4 patents | — |
| 1983 | 0 patents | -100.0% |
| 1984 | 4 patents | — |
| 1985 | 4 patents | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 1 patents | -75.0% |
| 1987 | 0 patents | -100.0% |
| 1988 | 4 patents | — |
| 1989 | 8 patents | +100.0% |
| 1990 | 6 patents | -25.0% |
| 1991 | 4 patents | -33.3% |
| 1992 | 2 patents | -50.0% |
| 1993 | 1 patents | -50.0% |
| 1994 | 92 patents | +9100.0% |
| 1995 | 115 patents | +25.0% |
| 1996 | 152 patents | +32.2% |
| 1997 | 122 patents | -19.7% |
| 1998 | 194 patents | +59.0% |
| 1999 | 198 patents | +2.1% |
| 2000 | 189 patents | -4.5% |
| 2001 | 148 patents | -21.7% |
| 2002 | 213 patents | +43.9% |
| 2003 | 175 patents | -17.8% |
| 2004 | 200 patents | +14.3% |
| 2005 | 128 patents | -36.0% |
| 2006 | 109 patents | -14.8% |
| 2007 | 69 patents | -36.7% |
| 2008 | 69 patents | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 73 patents | +5.8% |
| 2010 | 68 patents | -6.8% |
| 2011 | 47 patents | -30.9% |
| 2012 | 65 patents | +38.3% |
| 2013 | 39 patents | -40.0% |
| 2014 | 40 patents | +2.6% |
| 2015 | 64 patents | +60.0% |
| 2016 | 49 patents | -23.4% |
| 2017 | 43 patents | -12.2% |
| 2018 | 49 patents | +14.0% |
| 2019 | 45 patents | -8.2% |
| 2020 | 82 patents | +82.2% |
| 2021 | 44 patents | -46.3% |
| 2022 | 43 patents | -2.3% |
| 2023 | 46 patents | +7.0% |
Sweden compared with similar countries
- Sweden's 46 patents is above the median for high income countries, which is 28 patents, 1.6× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Sweden's 46 patents is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 25.5 patents, 1.8× the median. (40 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Life science patents granted, by filing office in Sweden changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | +9100.0% | 1 patents | 92 patents |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2.7 patents | 0 patents | 8 patents | 10 |
| 1990s | 88.6 patents | 1 patents | 198 patents | 10 |
| 2000s | 137.3 patents | 69 patents | 213 patents | 10 |
| 2010s | 50.9 patents | 39 patents | 68 patents | 10 |
| 2020s | 53.75 patents | 43 patents | 82 patents | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sweden
More science & technology data for Sweden
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 140.69 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.41 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 14.92 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 36.34 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 0.3001 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 0.8277 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 296 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 296 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life science patents granted, by filing office in Sweden?
- Life science patents granted, by filing office in Sweden was 46 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 Sweden?
- The highest recorded value was 213 patents in 2002.
- What is the lowest life science patents granted, by filing office recorded in Sweden?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 patents in 1981.
- How does Sweden rank for life science patents granted, by filing office?
- Sweden ranks 21st out of 70 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life science patents granted, by filing office rising or falling in Sweden?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sweden 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.