Costa Rica Patent Applications
Patent applications by residents IP.PAT.RESD
Costa Rica's patent applications was 15 in 2021, ranked 90th globally. This represents a 25.0% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2021.
Overview
Costa Rica's patent applications stood at 15 in 2021, a rise of +3 from 2020. Costa Rica ranked 90th globally.
Costa Rica’s patent‑application activity has shown pronounced volatility over the 42‑year series recorded by the World Bank, falling from an early‑stage high of 30.00 in 1980 to a historic peak of 63.00 in 1991 before sinking to a trough of 8.00 in 2018. The most recent figure for 2021 stands at 15.00, placing the country at rank 90 globally and only slightly above Rwanda’s 14.00 and below Yemen’s 20.00. The sharp decline after the early‑1990s peak reflects a broader slowdown in domestic innovation incentives and limited R&D investment, while the modest rebound to 15.00 suggests nascent recovery driven by recent policy reforms aimed at strengthening intellectual‑property protection and fostering university‑industry linkages. If these reforms are deepened and complemented by increased public‑private research funding, Costa Rica could sustain a gradual upward trajectory in patent filings, moving it closer to regional peers such as Jamaica and Uganda.
Data & projection
| Year | Patent Applications | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15 | +3 | #90 |
| 2020 | 12 | −4 | #95 |
| 2019 | 16 | +8 | #90 |
| 2018 | 8 | −11 | #101 |
| 2017 | 19 | +10 | #91 |
| 2016 | 9 | −8 | #100 |
| 2015 | 17 | +2 | #84 |
| 2014 | 15 | −3 | #84 |
| 2013 | 18 | +9 | #85 |
| 2012 | 9 | −4 | #85 |
| 2011 | 13 | +5 | #87 |
| 2010 | 8 | −8 | #90 |
| 2009 | 16 | −8 | #80 |
| 2008 | 24 | +4 | #79 |
| 2007 | 20 | −2 | #80 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Costa Rica matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 1995. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw patent applications improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's patent applications was 15 in 2021. Ranked 90th globally. This represents a 25.0% increase from the previous year.
Costa Rica's patent applications peaked at 63 in 1991.
The lowest patent applications in Costa Rica was 8 in 2010.
Costa Rica ranks 90th globally in patent applications as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is IP.PAT.RESD. Data sourced from World Bank.
The patent applications of Costa Rica in 2021 was 15. This ranks 90th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_patents,
title = {Costa Rica Patent Applications},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/patents/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}