Korea Patent Applications
Patent applications by residents IP.PAT.RESD
Korea's patent applications was 186,245 in 2021, ranked 4th globally. This represents a 3.2% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2021.
Overview
Korea's patent applications stood at 186,245 in 2021, a rise of +5,768 from 2020. Korea ranked 4th globally.
South Korea’s patent applications rose from a modest 1,241 in 1980 to an all‑time peak of 186,245 in 2021, placing the country fourth worldwide in that year. This 150‑fold increase over 42 years reflects sustained investment in research and development, strong government incentives, and the emergence of globally competitive sectors such as semiconductors and biotechnology. The surge outpaced many advanced economies; for example, Japan recorded 222,452 applications in 2021 while Germany lagged at 39,822, underscoring South Korea’s rapid ascent in innovative output. The steep upward trajectory began in the late 1990s as the nation shifted from low‑cost manufacturing to high‑value technology, and it has been reinforced by a robust intellectual‑property framework that encourages commercialization. Maintaining this momentum will depend on continued R&D financing, expanding collaboration between academia and industry, and addressing any potential bottlenecks in patent examination capacity, which could shape the future path of South Korea’s inventive activity.
Data & projection
| Year | Patent Applications | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 186,245 | +5,768 | #4 |
| 2020 | 180,477 | +8,874 | #4 |
| 2019 | 171,603 | +9,042 | #4 |
| 2018 | 162,561 | +3,477 | #4 |
| 2017 | 159,084 | −4,340 | #4 |
| 2016 | 163,424 | −3,851 | #4 |
| 2015 | 167,275 | +3,202 | #4 |
| 2014 | 164,073 | +4,095 | #4 |
| 2013 | 159,978 | +11,842 | #4 |
| 2012 | 148,136 | +10,102 | #4 |
| 2011 | 138,034 | +6,229 | #4 |
| 2010 | 131,805 | +4,489 | #4 |
| 2009 | 127,316 | +202 | #4 |
| 2008 | 127,114 | −1,587 | #4 |
| 2007 | 128,701 | +3,225 | #4 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Korea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw patent applications improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea's patent applications was 186,245 in 2021. Ranked 4th globally. This represents a 3.2% increase from the previous year.
Korea's patent applications peaked at 186,245 in 2021.
The lowest patent applications in Korea was 1,241 in 1980.
Korea ranks 4th 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 Korea in 2021 was 186,245. This ranks 4th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea_patents,
title = {Korea Patent Applications},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea/patents/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}