Malawi Patent Applications
Patent applications by residents IP.PAT.RESD
Malawi's patent applications was 3 in 2016, ranked 113th globally. This represents a 50.0% decrease from 2015. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2016.
Overview
Malawi's patent applications stood at 3 in 2016, a decline of +3 from 2015. Malawi ranked 113th globally.
Malawi’s patent‑application activity has remained modest, registering 3.00 applications in 2016, which placed the country at rank 113 globally. The indicator shows a narrow range over the 18‑year series, rising from a low of 2.00 in 1980 to a brief peak of 7.00 in 1981 before falling to an all‑time trough of 1.00 in 1999. Since the trough, the number of applications has fluctuated within a narrow band, stabilising at the 2016 level that it shares with peers such as Malta, Oman, Cambodia and Rwanda, each also reporting 3.00 applications. The limited upward movement suggests that structural constraints on research and development, as well as weak commercialisation pathways, continue to dampen innovative output. Strengthening intellectual‑property institutions, expanding university‑industry linkages and improving access to financing could raise filing rates, potentially shifting Malawi’s trajectory toward a more pronounced rise in future patent applications.
Data & projection
| Year | Patent Applications | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 | −3 | #113 |
| 2015 | 6 | +3 | #98 |
| 2000 | 3 | +2 | #91 |
| 1999 | 1 | −1 | #92 |
| 1998 | 2 | +0 | #86 |
| 1997 | 2 | +0 | #86 |
| 1996 | 2 | +1 | #96 |
| 1995 | 1 | +0 | #95 |
| 1994 | 1 | −2 | #91 |
| 1993 | 3 | +1 | #92 |
| 1992 | 2 | +1 | #79 |
| 1991 | 1 | +0 | #74 |
| 1989 | 1 | +0 | #66 |
| 1988 | 1 | +0 | #66 |
| 1983 | 1 | −2 | #67 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malawi matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2016. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw patent applications improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malawi's patent applications was 3 in 2016. Ranked 113th globally. This represents a 50.0% decrease from the previous year.
Malawi's patent applications peaked at 7 in 1981.
The lowest patent applications in Malawi was 1 in 1983.
Malawi ranks 113th globally in patent applications as of 2016.
The World Bank indicator code is IP.PAT.RESD. Data sourced from World Bank.
The patent applications of Malawi in 2016 was 3. This ranks 113th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malawi_patents,
title = {Malawi Patent Applications},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malawi/patents/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}