Patent rights last for a limited period—generally 20 years from the date of filing. Patents in force provide information on the volume of patents currently valid, as well as the historical patent life cycle.
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Ranking of the 20 countries with the most patents in force 2024
In 2024, China had the most patents in force worldwide, with about million patents in force. The United States had the second most patents in force, amounting to roughly ****Â million, followed by Japan with around two million.
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WIPO. (November 10, 2025). Ranking of the 20 national patent offices with the most patents in force in 2024 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 02, 2026, from /statistics/257172/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-most-patents-in-force/
WIPO. "Ranking of the 20 national patent offices with the most patents in force in 2024." Chart. November 10, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 02, 2026. /statistics/257172/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-most-patents-in-force/
WIPO. (2025). Ranking of the 20 national patent offices with the most patents in force in 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 02, 2026. /statistics/257172/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-most-patents-in-force/
WIPO. "Ranking of The 20 National Patent Offices with The Most Patents in Force in 2024." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 10 Nov 2025, /statistics/257172/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-most-patents-in-force/
WIPO, Ranking of the 20 national patent offices with the most patents in force in 2024 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/257172/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-most-patents-in-force/ (last visited August 02, 2026)
Ranking of the 20 national patent offices with the most patents in force in 2024 [Graph], WIPO, November 10, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/257172/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-most-patents-in-force/
