Zimbabwe Patent Applications
Patent applications by residents IP.PAT.RESD
Zimbabwe's patent applications was 8 in 2016, ranked 101st globally. This represents a 11.1% decrease from 2015. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2016.
Overview
Zimbabwe's patent applications stood at 8 in 2016, a decline of +1 from 2015. Zimbabwe ranked 101st globally.
Zimbabwe’s patent applications have fallen sharply from an early‑recorded 39.00 in 1980 to a historic low of 8.00 in 2016, the same figure that placed the country at 101st globally. The all‑time peak of 60.00 in 1991 marks a brief period of relative inventive activity, but the subsequent decline has been steep, with the 2016 trough representing the lowest output in the 18‑year series. By comparison, peer economies with similar rankings such as Costa Rica (9.00) and Monaco (7.00) have maintained slightly higher application levels, underscoring Zimbabwe’s difficulty in sustaining research and development momentum. The persistent downward trajectory suggests that without substantial policy reforms, investment in innovation infrastructure, and stronger protection of intellectual property rights, Zimbabwe is likely to remain near the bottom of global patent filing rankings.
Data & projection
| Year | Patent Applications | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 8 | −1 | #101 |
| 2015 | 9 | −19 | #91 |
| 1996 | 28 | −27 | #75 |
| 1995 | 55 | +11 | #66 |
| 1993 | 44 | +2 | #61 |
| 1992 | 42 | −18 | #53 |
| 1991 | 60 | +16 | #42 |
| 1990 | 44 | +5 | #43 |
| 1989 | 39 | +1 | #45 |
| 1988 | 38 | −3 | #44 |
| 1987 | 41 | −6 | #45 |
| 1986 | 47 | +9 | #40 |
| 1985 | 38 | +4 | #46 |
| 1984 | 34 | −6 | #46 |
| 1983 | 40 | −1 | #42 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zimbabwe matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2024. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw patent applications improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zimbabwe's patent applications was 8 in 2016. Ranked 101st globally. This represents a 11.1% decrease from the previous year.
Zimbabwe's patent applications peaked at 60 in 1991.
The lowest patent applications in Zimbabwe was 8 in 2016.
Zimbabwe ranks 101st 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 Zimbabwe in 2016 was 8. This ranks 101st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zimbabwe_patents,
title = {Zimbabwe Patent Applications},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zimbabwe/patents/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}