Annual patent applications in Hong Kong
Hong Kong: Annual patent applications was 401 in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Annual patent applications in Hong Kong, 1983–2021
Source: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2021, annual patent applications in Hong Kong stood at 401.
The figure is down 5.2% on the previous year and up 121.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in Hong Kong peaked at 423 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 9, in 1993.
That places Hong Kong 51st out of 135 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Annual patent applications in Hong Kong, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 21 | — |
| 1984 | 20 | -4.8% |
| 1985 | 16 | -20.0% |
| 1986 | 10 | -37.5% |
| 1987 | 13 | +30.0% |
| 1988 | 12 | -7.7% |
| 1989 | 15 | +25.0% |
| 1990 | 21 | +40.0% |
| 1991 | 16 | -23.8% |
| 1992 | 11 | -31.2% |
| 1993 | 9 | -18.2% |
| 1994 | 21 | +133.3% |
| 1995 | 23 | +9.5% |
| 1996 | 41 | +78.3% |
| 1997 | 26 | -36.6% |
| 1998 | 128 | +392.3% |
| 1999 | 42 | -67.2% |
| 2000 | 51 | +21.4% |
| 2001 | 74 | +45.1% |
| 2002 | 112 | +51.4% |
| 2003 | 107 | -4.5% |
| 2004 | 127 | +18.7% |
| 2005 | 156 | +22.8% |
| 2006 | 172 | +10.3% |
| 2007 | 160 | -7.0% |
| 2008 | 173 | +8.1% |
| 2009 | 149 | -13.9% |
| 2010 | 133 | -10.7% |
| 2011 | 181 | +36.1% |
| 2012 | 171 | -5.5% |
| 2013 | 226 | +32.2% |
| 2014 | 192 | -15.0% |
| 2015 | 239 | +24.5% |
| 2016 | 233 | -2.5% |
| 2017 | 324 | +39.1% |
| 2018 | 314 | -3.1% |
| 2019 | 346 | +10.2% |
| 2020 | 423 | +22.3% |
| 2021 | 401 | -5.2% |
Hong Kong compared with similar countries
- Hong Kong's 401 is above the median for high income countries, which is 397.5, 1.0× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Hong Kong's 401 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 875, 46% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Annual patent applications in Hong Kong changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | +392.3% | 26 | 128 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 15.29 | 10 | 21 | 7 |
| 1990s | 33.8 | 9 | 128 | 10 |
| 2000s | 128.1 | 51 | 173 | 10 |
| 2010s | 235.9 | 133 | 346 | 10 |
| 2020s | 412 | 401 | 423 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Hong Kong
More science & technology data for Hong Kong
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 364.85 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 3.6 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 27.05 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 22,647 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 14.2 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 13.77 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 15,445 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 15,445 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in Hong Kong?
- Annual patent applications in Hong Kong was 401 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 Hong Kong?
- The highest recorded value was 423 in 2020.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in Hong Kong?
- The lowest recorded value was 9 in 1993.
- How does Hong Kong rank for annual patent applications?
- Hong Kong ranks 51st out of 135 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in Hong Kong?
- Over the last ten years it is up 121.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Hong Kong 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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