South Korea vs United States: Annual patent applications
South Korea
186,245
in 2021
United States
262,244
in 2021
South Korea rank
4th
United States rank
2nd
Annual patent applications over time
- South Korea
- United States
How they compare
United States currently reports 262,244 against 186,245 in South Korea, a difference of 75,999.
That makes United States's figure about 1.4 times South Korea's.
Across all 42 years both countries report, United States has been ahead every year.
South Korea ranks 4th and United States ranks 2nd of 135 countries.
United States has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Korea | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3,164 | 66,380 | 63,215 | United States |
| 1990s | 38,985 | 111,226 | 72,242 | United States |
| 2000s | 104,947 | 203,253 | 98,305 | United States |
| 2010s | 156,597 | 277,921 | 121,324 | United States |
| 2020s | 183,361 | 265,915 | 82,554 | United States |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher annual patent applications, South Korea or United States?
- United States, at 262,244 against 186,245 in South Korea as of 2021.
- What is the difference in annual patent applications between South Korea and United States?
- 75,999, with United States ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Korea and United States?
- 42 years are reported by both, from 1980 to 2021.
- How do South Korea and United States rank globally for annual patent applications?
- South Korea ranks 4th and United States ranks 2nd of 135 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Annual patent applications. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.