Annual patent applications in Germany
Germany: Annual patent applications was 39,822 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Annual patent applications in Germany, 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 Germany is 39,822, measured in 2021.
The figure is down 5.8% on the previous year and down 15.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in Germany peaked at 51,736 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 28,683, in 1980.
Germany ranks 5th 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 | 31,188 | 28,683 | 32,202 | 10 |
| 1990s | 38,978 | 30,724 | 50,029 | 10 |
| 2000s | 48,692 | 47,598 | 51,736 | 10 |
| 2010s | 47,306 | 46,617 | 48,480 | 10 |
| 2020s | 41,041 | 39,822 | 42,260 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Germany
More science & technology data for Germany
- Scientific and technical journal articles 108,782 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 109.20 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 129.15 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 129.15 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 18,747 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 93.5% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 39,822 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 3.2% (2023)
- Human resources in science and technology (HRST) by category and NUTS 26,845 Thousand persons (2025)
- Number of people using the Internet 76.52 million users (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in Germany?
- Annual patent applications in Germany was 39,822 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 Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 51,736 in 2000.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 28,683 in 1980.
- How does Germany rank for annual patent applications?
- Germany ranks 5th out of 135 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Germany 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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