Malta Patent Applications
Patent applications by residents IP.PAT.RESD
Malta's patent applications was 5 in 2021, ranked 102nd globally. This represents a 16.7% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2021.
Overview
Malta's patent applications stood at 5 in 2021, a decline of +1 from 2020. Malta ranked 102nd globally.
Malta’s patent‑application activity has been modest and volatile over the 36‑year series, falling from an early‑record 7.00 applications in 1980 to a historic high of 26.00 in 2001 before sinking to a trough of 2.00 in 2018. The latest World Bank figure for 2021 shows 5.00 applications, placing Malta at rank 102 globally and matching the level recorded by Monaco and Bolivia, while remaining above Bahrain’s 3.00. The post‑peak decline reflects limited domestic R&D capacity and a small industrial base, which constrained the translation of scientific output into protectable inventions. Nevertheless, the modest rebound from the 2018 low suggests that recent policy incentives for innovation and increased collaboration with European Union research programmes may be beginning to stimulate filing activity. If Malta continues to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and expand support for startups, the upward trajectory observed in 2021 could accelerate, potentially restoring the country to a more competitive position in future patent‑application rankings.
Data & projection
| Year | Patent Applications | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | −1 | #102 |
| 2020 | 6 | +1 | #106 |
| 2019 | 5 | +3 | #99 |
| 2018 | 2 | −3 | #118 |
| 2017 | 5 | +2 | #106 |
| 2016 | 3 | −6 | #112 |
| 2015 | 9 | +4 | #89 |
| 2014 | 5 | −8 | #96 |
| 2013 | 13 | +2 | #87 |
| 2012 | 11 | +2 | #84 |
| 2011 | 9 | −3 | #88 |
| 2010 | 12 | +4 | #88 |
| 2009 | 8 | −6 | #84 |
| 2008 | 14 | +4 | #82 |
| 2007 | 10 | −12 | #86 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malta matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw patent applications improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malta's patent applications was 5 in 2021. Ranked 102nd globally. This represents a 16.7% decrease from the previous year.
Malta's patent applications peaked at 26 in 2001.
The lowest patent applications in Malta was 2 in 1989.
Malta ranks 102nd 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 Malta in 2021 was 5. This ranks 102nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malta_patents,
title = {Malta Patent Applications},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malta/patents/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}