Annual patent applications in China
China: Annual patent applications was 1.43 million in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Annual patent applications in China, 1985–2021
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, annual patent applications in China stood at 1.43 million. That is the highest value across all 37 years on record.
The figure is up 6.1% on the previous year and up 243.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in China peaked at 1.43 million in 2021 and was at its lowest, 3,494, in 1986.
That places China 1st out of 135 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
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 | 4,213 | 3,494 | 4,780 | 5 |
| 1990s | 11,019 | 5,832 | 15,626 | 10 |
| 2000s | 101,028 | 25,346 | 229,096 | 10 |
| 2010s | 880,661 | 293,066 | 1.39 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.39 million | 1.34 million | 1.43 million | 2 |
Countries ranked near China
- 2 United States 262,244 compare
- 3 Japan 222,452 compare
- 4 South Korea 186,245 compare
More science & technology data for China
- Scientific and technical journal articles 932,712 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 1.87 billion (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 131.75 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 131.75 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 159,019 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 91.6% (2025)
- Patent applications, residents 1.43 million (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 2.6% (2023)
- Number of people using the Internet 1.04 billion users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 47.19 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in China?
- Annual patent applications in China was 1.43 million 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 1.43 million in 2021.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,494 in 1986.
- How does China rank for annual patent applications?
- China ranks 1st out of 135 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 243.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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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