Annual patent applications in New Zealand
New Zealand: Annual patent applications was 330 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Annual patent applications in New Zealand, 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 New Zealand is 330, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 5.2% on the previous year and down 78.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in New Zealand peaked at 2,153 in 2006 and was at its lowest, 324, in 2019.
New Zealand ranks 53rd of 135 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 42 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 976.5 | 803 | 1,148 | 10 |
| 1990s | 1,204 | 802 | 1,572 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,730 | 1,256 | 2,153 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,238 | 324 | 1,636 | 10 |
| 2020s | 339 | 330 | 348 | 2 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More science & technology data for New Zealand
- Scientific and technical journal articles 8,096 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 6.78 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 130.09 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 130.09 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 6,522 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 93.5% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 330 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 1.5% (2023)
- Number of people using the Internet 4.70 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 38.05 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in New Zealand?
- Annual patent applications in New Zealand was 330 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 New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 2,153 in 2006.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 324 in 2019.
- How does New Zealand rank for annual patent applications?
- New Zealand ranks 53rd out of 135 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 78.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this New Zealand 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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