Four Consecutive Months of Growth! In China, January-April 2026 Saw a 10.16% Year-on-Year Increase in Invention Patent Grants, While Utility Model Patents Declined by 18.38%.
Date：2026-05-22
According to the latest statistics from the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the structure of patent grants in China from January to April 2026 shows a stark contrast: "growth in invention and design patents, but a significant contraction in utility model patents." This reflects how patent-related work is accelerating its shift from pursuing quantity to enhancing quality, driven by the "quality and efficiency improvement" policy direction.
| Patent Type | Jan-Apr 2025 (units) | Jan-Apr 2026 (units) | Change (units) | Growth Rate | Trend Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invention Patents | 267,945 | 295,178 | +27,233 | +10.16% | Core growth driver |
| Utility Model Patents | 530,961 | 433,388 | -97,573 | -18.38% | Sharp decline |
| Design Patents | 218,859 | 239,618 | +20,759 | +9.49% | Steady growth |
| Total | 1,017,765 | 968,184 | -49,581 | -4.87% | Overall contraction |
Data Interpretation
① The number of invention patent grants exceeded 295,000, with double-digit growth (+10.16%) highlighting the improvement in innovation quality.
② Utility model patent grants saw a significant decline of 18.38%, with a net reduction of nearly 100,000 units, which is the main factor pulling down the total number of patents. This confirms the effects of stricter review and efforts to eliminate irregular applications.
③ Design patents maintained steady growth, reflecting active interaction between design and the market.
Source: National Intellectual Property Administration website.