Annual patent applications in Germany
Germany: Annual patent applications was 39,822 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
39,822
Change on year
down 5.8%
World rank
5th
of 135 countries
All-time high
51,736
in 2000
All-time low
28,683
in 1980
Years of data
42
1980–2021
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.
Annual patent applications in Germany, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 28,683 | — |
| 1981 | 29,841 | +4.0% |
| 1982 | 30,668 | +2.8% |
| 1983 | 31,658 | +3.2% |
| 1984 | 31,984 | +1.0% |
| 1985 | 32,202 | +0.7% |
| 1986 | 32,169 | -0.1% |
| 1987 | 31,597 | -1.8% |
| 1988 | 31,912 | +1.0% |
| 1989 | 31,171 | -2.3% |
| 1990 | 30,724 | -1.4% |
| 1991 | 32,256 | +5.0% |
| 1992 | 33,919 | +5.2% |
| 1993 | 34,752 | +2.5% |
| 1994 | 36,715 | +5.6% |
| 1995 | 38,103 | +3.8% |
| 1996 | 42,322 | +11.1% |
| 1997 | 44,438 | +5.0% |
| 1998 | 46,523 | +4.7% |
| 1999 | 50,029 | +7.5% |
| 2000 | 51,736 | +3.4% |
| 2001 | 49,989 | -3.4% |
| 2002 | 47,598 | -4.8% |
| 2003 | 47,818 | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 48,448 | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 48,367 | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 48,012 | -0.7% |
| 2007 | 47,853 | -0.3% |
| 2008 | 49,240 | +2.9% |
| 2009 | 47,859 | -2.8% |
| 2010 | 47,047 | -1.7% |
| 2011 | 46,986 | -0.1% |
| 2012 | 46,620 | -0.8% |
| 2013 | 47,353 | +1.6% |
| 2014 | 48,154 | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 47,384 | -1.6% |
| 2016 | 48,480 | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 47,785 | -1.4% |
| 2018 | 46,617 | -2.4% |
| 2019 | 46,632 | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 42,260 | -9.4% |
| 2021 | 39,822 | -5.8% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 39,822 is above the median for high income countries, which is 397.5, 100.2× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Germany's 39,822 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 276, 144.3× the median. (49 countries reporting)
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
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 129.15 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.31 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 109.20 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 301.63 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 3.6 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 3.61 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 108,782 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0013 units per person (2023)
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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