What should we take away from the World Intellectual Property Indicators 2025?
At the end of 2025, WIPO published its annual report on the World Intellectual Property Indicators (full report here). This reference document is based on data from around 150 national offices for the year 2024, and provides an overview of the entire field. Here are the main points to remember from this edition.
The five leading offices account for 85% of patent applications
Patent filings accelerated their growth, reaching a total of 3.7 million, an increase of 4.9% compared with 2023. The top 5 by office remains unchanged, led by China, followed by the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the European Patent Office. These five offices account for the vast majority of applications.
Trademark registration applications level off
Trademark registration applications stood at 11.525 million, a slight decrease of 0.1% compared with the previous year. Applicants seeking protection for their trademarks abroad favored the research and technology, health, clothing and accessories, and leisure and education sectors. After a year of decline, industrial design filings are rising again, with a total of 1.6 million applications (+2.2%). Lastly, around 29,070 applications for the registration of plant varieties were filed, and protected geographical indications are estimated at 62,000 signs, more than half of which still consist of wines and spirits.
China remains unchallenged
China remains the leading country for filings in every category of title. With, in particular, three times as many patent applications filed with the CNIPA as with the USPTO, the country is continuing its efforts in innovation and high technology.
By François-Adrien Chagnollaud, 20 January 2026
Illustration: Photo by RDNE Stock project (Pexels)