Science & Technology in European Union - 28 countries (2013-2020) 15 indicators covering science & technology for European Union - 28 countries (2013-2020). IndicatorLatest Year10-yr change Rank Patent applications to the EPO by priority year 54,649 Number 2017 down 6.7% 2nd Individuals - internet use 87.2% 2019 up 33.8% 3rd Individuals - frequency of internet use 85.3% 2019 up 40.9% 3rd Co-patenting at the EPO according to applicants'/inventors' country of 45,828 Number 2013 down 11.5% 2nd Patent applications to the EPO by priority year by international paten 7,283 Number 2013 down 17.6% 2nd Internet access by NACE Rev. 2 activity 97.8% 2019 up 1.7% 3rd High-tech patent applications to the EPO by priority year 7,992 Number 2013 down 26.7% 2nd Type of connections to the internet by NACE Rev. 2 activity 91.6% 2019 down 0.5% 4th Patent applications to the EPO by priority year by institutional secto 19,784 Number 2012 down 56.3% 1st Triadic patent families by earliest priority year 2,529 Number 2012 down 78.0% 2nd Patent cooperation treaty (PCT) applications designated to the EPO by 4,384 Number 2013 down 14.5% 2nd Patent applications to the EPO by priority year by NACE Rev. 2 activit 283.32 Number 2013 down 44.2% 1st Internet purchases by individuals 52.9% 2019 up 88.6% 2nd Individuals - mobile internet access 41.1% 2019 up 100.3% 1st Individuals - internet activities 32.3% 2015 up 72.6% 2nd