https://www.epo.org/en/about-us/statistics/technology-dashboard-2025/statistics-and-indicators/european-patent-applications/all-technical-fields
All technical fields
This analysis shows the number of European patent applications1 filed with the EPO in the different technology fields2. For more details, visit the interactive displays in the technology dashboards of the Statistics and Trends Centre.
| Technology Sector | Field | 2025 | 2024 | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical engineering | Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy | 16 997 | 16 142 | 5,3% |
| Audio-visual technology | 5 596 | 5 490 | 1,9% | |
| Telecommunications | 4 877 | 4 657 | 4,7% | |
| Digital communication | 17 802 | 15 983 | 11,4% | |
| Basic communication processes | 1 122 | 1 099 | 2,1% | |
| Computer technology | 17 844 | 16 815 | 6,1% | |
| IT methods for management | 2 529 | 2 439 | 3,7% | |
| Semiconductors | 4 617 | 4 292 | 7,6% | |
| Instruments | Optics | 4 320 | 4 401 | -1,8% |
| Measurement | 9 487 | 9 601 | -1,2% | |
| Analysis of biological materials | 1 212 | 1 241 | -2,3% | |
| Control | 3 103 | 3 101 | 0,1% | |
| Medical technology | 15 905 | 15 701 | 1,3% | |
| Chemistry | Organic fine chemistry | 6 000 | 6 092 | -1,5% |
| Biotechnology | 8 203 | 8 479 | -3,3% | |
| Pharmaceuticals | 7 833 | 8 359 | -6,3% | |
| Macromolecular chemistry, polymers | 3 738 | 3 835 | -2,5% | |
| Food chemistry | 2 067 | 2 113 | -2,2% | |
| Basic materials chemistry | 4 407 | 4 669 | -5,6% | |
| Materials, metallurgy | 4 677 | 4 530 | 3,2% | |
| Surface technology, coating | 3 013 | 3 022 | -0,3% | |
| Micro-structural and nano-technology | 92 | 96 | -4,2% | |
| Chemical engineering | 4 220 | 4 388 | -3,8% | |
| Environmental technology | 2 083 | 1 870 | 11,4% | |
| Mechanical engineering | Handling | 5 107 | 5 023 | 1,7% |
| Machine tools | 3 402 | 3 456 | -1,6% | |
| Engines, pumps, turbines | 4 323 | 4 133 | 4,6% | |
| Textile and paper machines | 2 279 | 2 136 | 6,7% | |
| Other special machines | 6 284 | 6 258 | 0,4% | |
| Thermal processes and apparatus | 2 674 | 2 801 | -4,5% | |
| Mechanical elements | 3 478 | 3 711 | -6,3% | |
| Transport | 9 846 | 10 026 | -1,8% | |
| Other fields | Furniture, games | 3 252 | 3 241 | 0,3% |
| Other consumer goods | 4 899 | 5 153 | -4,9% | |
| Civil engineering | 4 335 | 4 397 | -1,4% | |
| Not classified | 351 | 514 | ||
| Total | 201 974 | 199 264 |
Source: EPO.
Status: 2.2.2026
1 European patent applications include direct European applications and international (PCT) applications that entered the European phase during the reporting period.
2 The definition of the fields is based on the WIPO IPC technology concordance. The table is available at: http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/ipstats/en/statistics/patents/xls/ipc_technology.xls.