Annual patent applications in United States
United States: Annual patent applications was 262,244 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
262,244
Change on year
down 2.7%
World rank
2nd
of 135 countries
All-time high
295,327
in 2016
All-time low
59,391
in 1983
Years of data
42
1980–2021
Annual patent applications in United States, 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 United States is 262,244, measured in 2021.
That represents a change of down 2.7% on the previous year and up 5.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual patent applications in United States peaked at 295,327 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 59,391, in 1983.
United States ranks 2nd of 135 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 42 years of available data.
Annual patent applications in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 62,098 | — |
| 1981 | 62,404 | +0.5% |
| 1982 | 63,316 | +1.5% |
| 1983 | 59,391 | -6.2% |
| 1984 | 61,841 | +4.1% |
| 1985 | 63,673 | +3.0% |
| 1986 | 65,195 | +2.4% |
| 1987 | 68,315 | +4.8% |
| 1988 | 75,192 | +10.1% |
| 1989 | 82,370 | +9.5% |
| 1990 | 90,643 | +10.0% |
| 1991 | 87,955 | -3.0% |
| 1992 | 92,425 | +5.1% |
| 1993 | 99,955 | +8.1% |
| 1994 | 107,233 | +7.3% |
| 1995 | 123,962 | +15.6% |
| 1996 | 106,892 | -13.8% |
| 1997 | 119,214 | +11.5% |
| 1998 | 134,733 | +13.0% |
| 1999 | 149,251 | +10.8% |
| 2000 | 164,795 | +10.4% |
| 2001 | 177,513 | +7.7% |
| 2002 | 184,245 | +3.8% |
| 2003 | 188,941 | +2.5% |
| 2004 | 189,536 | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 207,867 | +9.7% |
| 2006 | 221,784 | +6.7% |
| 2007 | 241,347 | +8.8% |
| 2008 | 231,588 | -4.0% |
| 2009 | 224,912 | -2.9% |
| 2010 | 241,977 | +7.6% |
| 2011 | 247,750 | +2.4% |
| 2012 | 268,782 | +8.5% |
| 2013 | 287,831 | +7.1% |
| 2014 | 285,096 | -1.0% |
| 2015 | 288,335 | +1.1% |
| 2016 | 295,327 | +2.4% |
| 2017 | 293,904 | -0.5% |
| 2018 | 285,095 | -3.0% |
| 2019 | 285,113 | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 269,586 | -5.4% |
| 2021 | 262,244 | -2.7% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 262,244 is above the median for high income countries, which is 397.5, 659.7× the median. (58 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 66,380 | 59,391 | 82,370 | 10 |
| 1990s | 111,226 | 87,955 | 149,251 | 10 |
| 2000s | 203,253 | 164,795 | 241,347 | 10 |
| 2010s | 277,921 | 241,977 | 295,327 | 10 |
| 2020s | 265,915 | 262,244 | 269,586 | 2 |
Countries ranked near United States
More science & technology data for United States
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 113.19 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.15 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 390.99 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 42.21 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 0.693 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.26 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 332,899 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 332,899 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual patent applications in United States?
- Annual patent applications in United States was 262,244 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 United States?
- The highest recorded value was 295,327 in 2016.
- What is the lowest annual patent applications recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 59,391 in 1983.
- How does United States rank for annual patent applications?
- United States ranks 2nd out of 135 countries with data for 2021.
- Is annual patent applications rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United States 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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