New data from the European Patent Office (EPO) reveals that, in front of economic difficulties, Europe’s intellectual scene is nevertheless robust. About 200,000 patent applications were filed last year, according to the Patent Index 2024; artificial intelligence (AI) and battery technology ( EV) are among the sectors experiencing the quickest growth. Though patent activity has remained consistent, the research doubts Europe’s ability to keep long-term technological competitiveness against China and the United States.
Filings at the EPO declined by just 0.1% overall from the year before, a little variation that EPO officials feel does not point to a slowing down of activity. Applications from European companies increased by 0.3% ;those from non-European countries fell considerably.
In an interview, Luis Berenguer, a spokesperson for the EPO, said the data should not be seen as a bad sign.
“I don’t think we are reaching stagnation,”
He said.
“We have been growing constantly, and the fact that we are 0.1 per cent below last year is statistically irrelevant. European applications have actually increased, while other regions have declined.”
Leading European patent filers still are the United States, Germany, Japan, China, and South Korea. Europe continues to be a major centre of invention in ten of the most significant technical domains, confirming its relevance.
With 16,815 applications, computer technology—including artificial intelligence—became the most registered field for the first time. Artificial intelligence-associated patents grew by 10.6%; Europe leads in quantum computing patents.
On the other hand none of the European businesses rank among the top 10 AI patent filings globally, highlighting a clear weakness in the continent’s ability to grow home AI startups into global leaders.
“We are growing more than other regions in AI, but we don’t have a single European company among the top 10 AI patent applicants,”
Berenguer said.
“Europe has the capacity to compete, but obstacles like bureaucracy and overregulation need to be addressed.”
The findings align with more general problems whereby Europe excels in early-stage research but has challenges converting discoveries into significant commercial entities.
While Europe lags behind in electric cars, battery innovation advances. Driven by investments in environmental projects and clean energy made by the continent, battery-related patent applications increased by 24% . In one of the most significant industrial transformations of the modern world, the shift to electric cars (EVs), Europe is behind China and the United States.
“China is in the lead, followed by the U.S.,”
Berenguer said.
“Europe really needs to take this seriously, because this is the future.”
He pointed to China’s recent breakthrough in ultra-fast EV charging, which can fully charge an electric car in five minutes, as an example of the kind of technological advances Europe risks falling behind on.
Among the clearest trends in the Patent Index 2024 were Chinese and South Korean corporations using Europe’s Unitary Patent system more and more. Approved in 2023, the system simplifies patent protection across many EU countries; approximately 28,000 Unitary Patents were sought in 2024, up from 17.5% of issued patents the year before.
Berenguer emphasised that policy changes could determine whether Europe maintains its competitive edge.
“Europe has the capacity to compete with the U.S. and China, but issues like bureaucracy and overregulation must be addressed,”
He said.
“If we analyse patent trends strategically, we can strengthen our innovation ecosystem.”
The rise speaks to the intellectual property protections of Europe becoming more and more credible among non-European enterprises, therefore supporting its appeal as a primary market for world innovation.
