Top 10 technical fields
This page shows the number of European patent applications1 filed with the EPO for the ten technology fields2 with the largest number of applications in 2023. These top ten fields represented almost 57% of the total number of European applications filed in 2023. Each technology field has its own page providing an analysis of the geographic origin of the files. The geographic origin is based on the country of residence of the first applicant listed on the application form (first-named applicant principle3). The pages also rank the largest applicants4 in each field.
1
Digital communication
17 749
+8,6%
2
Medical technology
15 985
+1,3%
3
Computer technology
15 746
+1,2%
4
Electrical machinery
15 304
+12,2%
5
Measurement
9 565
+3,5%
6
Transport
9 445
+0,0%
7
Pharmaceuticals
9 273
-3,4%
8
Biotechnology
8 367
+5,9%
9
Other special machines
6 538
+1,4%
10
Organic fine chemistry
6 108
+4,1%
Source: EPO.
Status: 29.1.2024.
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:
https://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/docs/ipc_technology.xlsx.
3 In cases where several applicants are mentioned on the application form, the country of residence of the first applicant listed applies.
4 This is the ranking in each technology field of the main consolidated applicants at the EPO in 2023 (first-named applicant principle). It is based on European patent applications filed with the EPO in each technology field. It includes direct European applications and international (PCT) applications that entered the European phase. Applications by identifiable subsidiaries, not necessarily located in the same country, are allocated to the consolidated applicants.
5 EPO states: the 39 member states of the European Patent Organisation, which includes the 27 states of the EU.