Here’re the top 10 countries who filed the most patents globally

The World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024 report highlights global innovation trends through a detailed analysis of intellectual property activities across 140 jurisdictions. The findings underscore the resilience of patent filings, even in economic challenges like high interest rates and declining venture capital. 

This blog will explore the report’s insights, focusing on the top 10 global patent filings, regional trends, emerging technologies, and the economic and social factors driving these shifts.

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Top 10 countries with the most patent filings globally
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A total of 2 million patents were granted globally in 2023, with a 2.7% increase over the previous year. Here is the list of the 10 countries with the most patent applications filed, according to the 2024 report:
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10. Switzerland: Switzerland, with 41,876 applications and a steady 4.3% growth rate emphasizes high-value patents, maintaining its role as a leader in precision technologies and pharmaceuticals.

9. Italy: Italy rounds out the top 10 with a strong focus on engineering and design-oriented patents with 26,818 applications.

8. United Kingdom: With 48,227 applications and a 3.2% increase from the previous year, the UK showcases steady innovation activity, particularly in technology-driven industries.

7. France: France, with 52,582 applications, remains a steady contributor to global innovation, showing modest but positive growth.

6. India: India’s standout performance, with a 15.7% growth rate, shows its rising prominence as an innovation hub. For the first time, more than half of the applications were from domestic applicants.

5. Germany: With 133,053 applications, Germany showcased its manufacturing and engineering expertise, despite a slight dip in filings.

4. Republic of Korea: Korea reported 287,954 filings, up 5.7% from the previous year, reflecting its strong R&D infrastructure.

3. Japan: Filing 414,413 applications, Japan experienced a 2.2% growth, maintaining its position as a global leader in technology-focused patents.

2. United States: The U.S. followed with 518,364 applications, growing 2.5% year-over-year. Non-resident filings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) remain robust, driven by international innovators seeking protection in the world’s largest economy.

1. China: With 1.64 million applications, China led the global rankings in 2023, accounting for 47.2% of total filings. This marks a 3.6% growth from the previous year, reflecting China’s strategic emphasis on innovation.

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Asia’s growing dominance in patent filings
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Asia’s share of 68.7% of global patent filings in 2023 highlights the region’s unparalleled focus on innovation. This represents a significant increase from 58.4% in 2013.

China, Japan, Korea, and India spearhead this growth, with China alone contributing nearly 70% of Asia’s total filings, with the remaining 45 offices contributing 32.2% of the total. India’s rise, marked by its fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth, showcases how emerging economies are reshaping the global innovation landscape.

Countries outside Asia, like the U.S. and Germany, may need to adopt more dynamic strategies to compete in this evolving landscape. 

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How patents drive economic growth and innovation leadership
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Patents play a pivotal role in driving economic growth by fostering innovation and protecting intellectual assets. The 2024 report revealed notable data linking patent activities to economic performance:

• Patents per GDP: The Republic of Korea continues to lead globally, filing over 7,000 patents per $100 billion GDP in 2023. This figure reflects the country's high investment in R&D and its focus on maintaining a competitive edge in advanced technologies.
• Patents per population: Adjusted for population, Korea leads again, with Japan and Switzerland following closely. 

For patentees, these insights highlight the importance of an effective patent renewal strategy to maintain long-term value and competitive advantage.

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Technology trends shaping patent filings
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The report highlights a strong focus on emerging technologies:

• Computer technology led all fields, accounting for 12.4% of global filings in 2022.
• Renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, saw steady growth, with over 45,000 applications in 2022. Solar energy alone made up 54.4% of all energy-related filings, reflecting a global push toward sustainability.
• Medical technologies and digital communications remained top fields, with consistent year-over-year growth.

In the fast-paced world of technology, innovation happens every day, making patent protection vital for staying ahead of the competition. Securing your ideas ensures that your advancements remain exclusively yours, safeguarding your position in the market.

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Leveraging patent families for global coverage
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The report emphasizes the value of patent families—interrelated applications filed in multiple jurisdictions for the same invention. Between 2019 and 2021, 85.3% of patent families were single-office filings, with China dominating this category. However, foreign-oriented patent families, seen as high-value IP assets, were led by the U.S. (21.4%), Japan (18.6%), and China (11.8%).

Women inventors and diversity in patents
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Women inventors accounted for 17.7% of listed inventors in PCT applications in 2023, up from 10.9% in 2009. Biotechnology and food chemistry saw higher participation, with women representing over 30% of inventors in these fields. However, gaps remain, with countries like India and Japan reporting lower gender representation.

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Beyond patents: highlights from other IP areas
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While patents take center stage, the report also provides key insights into other forms of intellectual property, including trademarks, industrial designs, and plant varieties:

• Trademarks: Trademark filings decreased by 1.3% globally, totaling 15.23 million in 2023. China remains the leader in trademark filings, although it recorded a slight decline. Notable growth in this area was observed in Mexico, Indonesia, and Brazil.
• Industrial Designs: Applications rebounded, growing by 4% to reach 1.19 million in 2023. Asian countries like Indonesia and India reported sharp increases, showcasing their focus on aesthetic innovation.
• Plant Varieties: Applications increased by 6.6%, with China accounting for over half of all global filings. Plant variety protection is gaining traction as agriculture-focused IP becomes increasingly vital.

While these areas show varying growth trends, patent filings remain the most consistent indicator of innovation on a global scale.

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Simplifying patent renewal for global innovators
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The World Intellectual Property Indicators Report 2024 offers critical insights into global patent trends, highlighting the importance of informed decision-making in IP management. 

At PatentRenewal.com, we make patent renewals straightforward, saving you up to 50% on annual costs. Our platform automates the process, offering a seamless solution for patentees worldwide. Visit our solution page for effortless patent management.