Annual patent applications in United States
United States: Annual patent applications was 262,244 in 2021. ▲ Rising
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.
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
- Scientific and technical journal articles 430,843 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 390.99 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 113.19 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 113.19 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 329,229 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 94.7% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 262,244 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 3.4% (2023)
- Number of people using the Internet 310.46 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 38.86 per 100 people (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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