German Patent Filings Rise Nationally, But Decline in Northern States

While Germany saw a 4% increase in patent applications in 2024, regions like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt reported significant declines.

Germany recorded 40,064 domestic patent applications in 2024, a 4% increase compared to 2023, driven largely by the automotive sector.
Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria led the nation with 137 and 85 applications per 100,000 residents, respectively, highlighting a persistent regional innovation gap.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt reported the lowest patent activity, with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern filing just 58 patents, a sharp drop from 122 in 2023.
Thuringia emerged as an eastern German leader in patents per capita, with notable growth in optics-related innovations, which accounted for 129 of its 520 filings.
The automotive industry dominated patent filings nationwide, with advancements in electric vehicle technology and in-car entertainment systems driving innovation.