ALICANTE - Industries that make intensive use of intellectual property rights (IPRs) account for 47.9% of the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employ more than 65 million people, representing one third of the EU’s total workforce, according to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). 

These are the main findings of IP and Innovation in European Sectors, a joint study by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO) which examines 361 IPR intensive industries in the 2021-2023 period.

By analyzing six types of intellectual property rights – trademarks, designs, patents, copyright, geographical indications and plant variety rights – the study finds that sectors with above-average ownership of IP rights per employee generate €7.7 trillion of the EU’s GDP. Trademark-intensive industries account for the largest share (39.1%), followed by patent-intensive industries (18.4%) and design-intensive industries (16.1%).

Sectors investing more heavily in IP rights include pharmaceutical manufacturing, which is predominantly patent-intensive; consumer electronics and ICT industries, which rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, designs and copyright; and brand-driven sectors such as food and beverage production and fashion and luxury goods, which are primarily trademark and design-intensive.

The study also highlights that IPR-intensive industries are a major driver of cross-border job creation in the EU. Over 7.2 million jobs in IPR intensive sectors across the EU are created by companies operating in a Member State other than their home country, reflecting the strong economic integration enabled by IP-intensive industries.

Higher salaries, trade and investment

The data show that workers in IPR-intensive industries earn higher wages than those in other sectors, with an average wage premium of 40.9%.

IPR-intensive industries also play a dominant role in EU trade, accounting for 76.4% of imports and 78.3% of exports, generating a trade surplus of €107.5 billion over the 2021-2023 period.

For the first time, the study examines the links between IPR intensity and access to venture capital and private equity, showing that IPR-intensive startups attracted over 88% of total funding (€70.7 billion). These findings underline the role of intellectual property in supporting innovation and economic growth.

The 2026 edition of the study updates the results of the previous one from 2022, reflecting the growing contribution of IPR-intensive industries to EU GDP and employment over time.

Other studies published jointly by the EUIPO and the EPO have also highlighted the importance of IPRs in promoting growth and employment at company level, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises, and in facilitating and securing financing for innovative startups.