Annual patent applications in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Annual patent applications was 1,398 in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Annual patent applications in Saudi Arabia, 1989–2021
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 Saudi Arabia is 1,398, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 30 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.0% on the previous year and up 302.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in Saudi Arabia peaked at 1,398 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 12, in 1989.
That places Saudi Arabia 25th out of 135 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 12 | 12 | 12 | 1 |
| 1990s | 34.7 | 16 | 72 | 10 |
| 2000s | 85.75 | 46 | 128 | 8 |
| 2010s | 748.67 | 288 | 1,188 | 9 |
| 2020s | 1,346 | 1,294 | 1,398 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More science & technology data for Saudi Arabia
- Scientific and technical journal articles 24,595 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 54.18 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 159.54 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 159.54 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 2,581 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 100.0% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 1,398 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 0.6% (2024)
- Number of people using the Internet 31.33 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 44.07 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in Saudi Arabia?
- Annual patent applications in Saudi Arabia was 1,398 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 Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 1,398 in 2021.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 12 in 1989.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for annual patent applications?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 25th out of 135 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 302.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia 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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