Austria's patent filings rise in 2025 but lag behind EU innovation leaders

Austria's inventors filed 2,253 new patents in 2025, marking a 5% rise from the previous year. The country continues to outperform EU and global averages in patent activity, though growth remains slower than in neighbouring nations like Germany and Sweden.

Austria ranked 16th globally and 10th within the EU for European patent applications in 2025. On a per capita basis, it placed 8th worldwide, with 245 filings per million inhabitants. Despite this strong showing, the country's relative patent growth since 2016 stood at 11.3%, below the European Patent Office (EPO) member average of 13.9% and far behind the global average of 27%.

Borealis led Austrian patent applications with 173 filings, followed by Voestalpine with 85. Traditional sectors like machinery, electrical devices, and energy saw steady increases, while specialised machinery—particularly components for 3D printers—experienced the sharpest rise. However, between 2021 and 2025, Austria's patent growth of 5-8% lagged behind Germany's 12-15%, Sweden's 10-12%, and the Netherlands' 15-18%.

Gender disparity remains a challenge in Austrian innovation. Only 17% of inventors were female in 2025, compared to the European average of 26% and Spain's 42%. Meanwhile, startups and young entrepreneurs face hurdles due to limited access to venture capital, restricting both growth and long-term sustainability.

Austria maintains a strong position in patent filings, surpassing EU and global benchmarks. Yet slower growth compared to key European competitors and persistent gender gaps highlight areas for improvement. The country's innovation sector also contends with funding shortages, particularly for emerging businesses.