Annual patent applications in Switzerland
Switzerland: Annual patent applications was 1,288 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Annual patent applications in Switzerland, 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 Switzerland is 1,288, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.9% on the previous year and down 19.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in Switzerland peaked at 4,049 in 1980 and was at its lowest, 1,283, in 2018.
That places Switzerland 29th out of 135 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 42 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3,499 | 3,191 | 4,049 | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,678 | 1,916 | 3,068 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,770 | 1,594 | 2,083 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,463 | 1,283 | 1,622 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,336 | 1,288 | 1,384 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More science & technology data for Switzerland
- Scientific and technical journal articles 22,804 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 11.55 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 129.47 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 129.47 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 267 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 97.3% (2025)
- Patent applications, residents 1,288 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 3.2% (2023)
- Human resources in science and technology (HRST) by category and NUTS 3,292 Thousand persons (2025)
- Number of people using the Internet 8.32 million users (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in Switzerland?
- Annual patent applications in Switzerland was 1,288 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 4,049 in 1980.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,283 in 2018.
- How does Switzerland rank for annual patent applications?
- Switzerland ranks 29th out of 135 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Switzerland 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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