PCT Yearly Review 2024

The PCT allows inventors to file a single patent application that can be recognized in 157 member countries.

In 2023, approximately 272,600 international patent applications were filed under the PCT, marking a 1.8% decrease from the previous year. This decline ends a 13-year streak of consecutive growth in PCT filings. The reduction is primarily attributed to fewer applications from Japan and the United States. However, the number of PCT national phase entries saw an increase, with 737,000 entries, reflecting a 3.1% growth.

China filed the highest number of PCT applications (69,610), followed by the United States (55,678) and Japan (48,879). The UK was seventh with 5,586 PCT applications filed. India showed the sharpest growth (+44.6%) among the top 20 offices.

In 2023, women accounted for 17.7% of inventors listed in PCT applications, an increase of 0.6 percentage points from the previous year.

The electrical engineering sector dominated in 2023, accounting for nearly 40% of all PCT applications. Key fields within this sector include digital communication, audio-visual technology, computer technology, semiconductors, and electrical machinery. Chemistry was the second largest sector, with significant activity in pharmaceuticals, organic fine chemistry, and biotechnology.

WIPO’s latest PCT yearly review – 2024 edition - can be found here.

Swindell & Pearson has extensive experience of the PCT system and of helping clients obtain patent protection around the world. Please contact us should you be interested in finding out more about seeking patent protection abroad.