Annual patent applications in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Annual patent applications was 165 in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Annual patent applications in Bulgaria, 1980–2021
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Bulgaria recorded 165 for annual patent applications in 2021.
That represents a change of down 31.0% on the previous year and down 37.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in Bulgaria peaked at 3,843 in 1984 and was at its lowest, 1, in 1986.
Bulgaria ranks 60th of 135 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1,833 | 1 | 3,843 | 10 |
| 1990s | 331.4 | 198 | 422 | 10 |
| 2000s | 255 | 211 | 289 | 10 |
| 2010s | 232.8 | 180 | 282 | 10 |
| 2020s | 202 | 165 | 239 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
More science & technology data for Bulgaria
- Scientific and technical journal articles 4,998 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 7.98 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 118.07 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 118.07 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 6 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 82.4% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 165 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 0.8% (2023)
- Human resources in science and technology (HRST) by category and NUTS 1,623 Thousand persons (2025)
- Number of people using the Internet 5.18 million users (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in Bulgaria?
- Annual patent applications in Bulgaria was 165 in 2021, according to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual patent applications recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 3,843 in 1984.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 1 in 1986.
- How does Bulgaria rank for annual patent applications?
- Bulgaria ranks 60th out of 135 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 37.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
- The figures come from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual patent applications. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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