Annual patent applications in South Africa
South Africa: Annual patent applications was 1,804 in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Annual patent applications in South Africa, 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 South Africa is 1,804, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 232.8% on the previous year and up 175.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in South Africa peaked at 5,134 in 1989 and was at its lowest, 138, in 1999.
That places South Africa 21st 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.
Annual patent applications in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 3,092 | — |
| 1981 | 3,340 | +8.0% |
| 1982 | 3,017 | -9.7% |
| 1983 | 4,240 | +40.5% |
| 1984 | 3,874 | -8.6% |
| 1985 | 4,051 | +4.6% |
| 1986 | 4,730 | +16.8% |
| 1987 | 4,922 | +4.1% |
| 1988 | 4,829 | -1.9% |
| 1989 | 5,134 | +6.3% |
| 1990 | 1,093 | -78.7% |
| 1991 | 1,023 | -6.4% |
| 1992 | 888 | -13.2% |
| 1993 | 904 | +1.8% |
| 1994 | 935 | +3.4% |
| 1995 | 883 | -5.6% |
| 1996 | 757 | -14.3% |
| 1997 | 355 | -53.1% |
| 1998 | 200 | -43.7% |
| 1999 | 138 | -31.0% |
| 2000 | 895 | +548.6% |
| 2001 | 966 | +7.9% |
| 2002 | 983 | +1.8% |
| 2003 | 922 | -6.2% |
| 2004 | 956 | +3.7% |
| 2005 | 1,003 | +4.9% |
| 2006 | 866 | -13.7% |
| 2007 | 915 | +5.7% |
| 2008 | 860 | -6.0% |
| 2009 | 822 | -4.4% |
| 2010 | 821 | -0.1% |
| 2011 | 656 | -20.1% |
| 2012 | 608 | -7.3% |
| 2013 | 638 | +4.9% |
| 2014 | 802 | +25.7% |
| 2015 | 889 | +10.8% |
| 2016 | 704 | -20.8% |
| 2017 | 728 | +3.4% |
| 2018 | 657 | -9.8% |
| 2019 | 567 | -13.7% |
| 2020 | 542 | -4.4% |
| 2021 | 1,804 | +232.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 1,804 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 109, 16.6× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 1,804 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8, 225.5× the median. (18 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Annual patent applications in South Africa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | +548.6% | 138 | 895 |
| 2021 | +232.8% | 542 | 1,804 |
| 1990 | -78.7% | 5,134 | 1,093 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 4,123 | 3,017 | 5,134 | 10 |
| 1990s | 717.6 | 138 | 1,093 | 10 |
| 2000s | 918.8 | 822 | 1,003 | 10 |
| 2010s | 707 | 567 | 889 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,173 | 542 | 1,804 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More science & technology data for South Africa
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 179.34 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.79 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 114.79 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 89.37 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 4.56 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 5.88 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 8,549 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 8,549 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in South Africa?
- Annual patent applications in South Africa was 1,804 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5,134 in 1989.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 138 in 1999.
- How does South Africa rank for annual patent applications?
- South Africa ranks 21st out of 135 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 175.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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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