Switzerland Patent Applications
Patent applications by residents IP.PAT.RESD
Switzerland's patent applications was 1,288 in 2021, ranked 28th globally. This represents a 6.9% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2021.
Overview
Switzerland's patent applications stood at 1,288 in 2021, a decline of +96 from 2020. Switzerland ranked 28th globally.
Switzerland’s patent‑application volume has contracted sharply since the early 1980s, falling from an all‑time peak of 4,049.00 in 1980 to a trough of 1,283.00 in 2018 and reaching 1,288.00 in 2021, which placed the country 28th globally. This long‑term decline reflects a shift away from the high‑technology manufacturing base that once drove Swiss innovation, as well as increasing competition from other advanced economies. By contrast, peer nations such as Spain (1,308.00) and Ukraine (1,302.00) recorded slightly higher application counts in 2021, underscoring Switzerland’s relative lag despite its strong research institutions. The 42‑year coverage shows that the downward trajectory intensified after the 1990s, with only modest rebounds in the last few years. Continued investment in emerging sectors such as biotech and green technologies, coupled with policy incentives for domestic inventors, could help reverse the trend and restore a more upward‑sloping patent‑filing curve.
Data & projection
| Year | Patent Applications | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,288 | −96 | #28 |
| 2020 | 1,384 | +15 | #25 |
| 2019 | 1,369 | +86 | #24 |
| 2018 | 1,283 | −54 | #28 |
| 2017 | 1,337 | −125 | #28 |
| 2016 | 1,462 | −15 | #24 |
| 2015 | 1,477 | −3 | #20 |
| 2014 | 1,480 | −45 | #24 |
| 2013 | 1,525 | +45 | #26 |
| 2012 | 1,480 | −117 | #25 |
| 2011 | 1,597 | −25 | #25 |
| 2010 | 1,622 | −62 | #27 |
| 2009 | 1,684 | +90 | #25 |
| 2008 | 1,594 | −98 | #24 |
| 2007 | 1,692 | −48 | #25 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Switzerland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw patent applications improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Switzerland's patent applications was 1,288 in 2021. Ranked 28th globally. This represents a 6.9% decrease from the previous year.
Switzerland's patent applications peaked at 4,049 in 1980.
The lowest patent applications in Switzerland was 1,283 in 2018.
Switzerland ranks 28th 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 Switzerland in 2021 was 1,288. This ranks 28th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_switzerland_patents,
title = {Switzerland Patent Applications},
url = {https://historysaid.com/switzerland/patents/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}