China Again World's Top Patent Filer

The global patent landscape marked its fifth consecutive year of growth, as China once again led the world with an impressive 1.8 million patent applications, according to a report issued by the WIPO on Wednesday.

The World Intellectual Property Indicators 2025 showed that global patent and industrial design application numbers continued their upward trajectory last year, with China standing out for its remarkable performance in these areas.

In 2024, the number of global patent applications reached a record high of 3.7 million, marking a 4.9 percent increase from 2023 and the fifth straight year the number has risen.

"This was the fastest growth since 2018, with many countries reporting a rise in applications," said Daren Tang, director general of the WIPO.