Annual patent applications in Rwanda
Rwanda: Annual patent applications was 14 in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2021)
14
Change on year
up 133.3%
World rank
100th
of 135 countries
All-time high
40
in 2012
All-time low
1
in 1988
Years of data
8
1988–2021
Annual patent applications in Rwanda, 1988–2021
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 Rwanda is 14, measured in 2021.
The figure is up 133.3% on the previous year and down 65.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in Rwanda peaked at 40 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 1, in 1988.
That places Rwanda 100th out of 135 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Annual patent applications in Rwanda, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 1 | — |
| 2012 | 40 | +3900.0% |
| 2014 | 5 | -87.5% |
| 2015 | 5 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 3 | -40.0% |
| 2017 | 4 | +33.3% |
| 2018 | 6 | +50.0% |
| 2021 | 14 | +133.3% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 14 is above the median for low income countries, which is 14, 1.0× the median. (12 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 14 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8, 1.8× the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010s | 10.5 | 3 | 40 | 6 |
| 2020s | 14 | 14 | 14 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
More science & technology data for Rwanda
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 93.2 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 0.932 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0009 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 13.29 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 517.35 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 1.9 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 4.11 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 433.51 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in Rwanda?
- Annual patent applications in Rwanda was 14 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 Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 40 in 2012.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 1 in 1988.
- How does Rwanda rank for annual patent applications?
- Rwanda ranks 100th out of 135 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is down 65.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Rwanda 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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