A new report from the EPO and EUIPO shows that IPR-intensive industries play a central role in the European economy. These industries account for millions of jobs, offer significantly higher wages than other sectors, and attract the vast majority of venture capital in the EU.
The report further shows that employees in IPR-intensive industries earn wages that are more than 40% above the level in other sectors, and that companies in these industries receive the main share of venture capital in the EU.
Key findings from the report:
- IPR-intensive industries accounted for 30.6% of all jobs in the EU during 2021-2023, employing on average over 65 million people.
- In the same period, IPR-intensive industries generated 47.9% of the EU’s GDP, amounting to €7.7 trillion.
- Wages in IPR-intensive industries are 40.9% higher than in other sectors.
- 88% of all venture capital in the EU - a total of €70.7 billion - was directed towards start-ups in IPR-intensive industries in 2021-2023.
- The report, ‘IP and Innovation in European Sectors’, published by the EPO and EUIPO, is based on an analysis of 361 IPR-intensive industries in the period 2021-2023.
Previous studies published by the EUIPO and EPO have also highlighted that IPR promotes growth and employment at company level, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises, and contributes to securing financing for innovative start-ups.
The full report can be found on EUIPO's webiste.