Annual patent applications in Canada
Canada: Annual patent applications was 4,710 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Annual patent applications in Canada, 1980–2021
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual patent applications in Canada is 4,710, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 5.8% on the previous year and down 0.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in Canada peaked at 5,522 in 2006 and was at its lowest, 1,648, in 1980.
Canada ranks 14th of 135 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 42 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2,244 | 1,648 | 3,031 | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,987 | 2,182 | 4,061 | 10 |
| 2000s | 4,710 | 3,929 | 5,522 | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,377 | 4,053 | 4,754 | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,581 | 4,452 | 4,710 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More science & technology data for Canada
- Scientific and technical journal articles 63,720 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 37.40 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 94.11 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 94.11 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 32,445 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 94.4% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 4,710 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 1.8% (2024)
- Number of people using the Internet 36.12 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 42.52 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in Canada?
- Annual patent applications in Canada was 4,710 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 Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 5,522 in 2006.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,648 in 1980.
- How does Canada rank for annual patent applications?
- Canada ranks 14th out of 135 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Canada 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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