Number of New Factory Robots Worldwide Doubled in Ten Years

World Robotics 2025 Report Number of New Factory Robots Worldwide Doubled in Ten Years

2025-10-27 From International Federation of Robotics | Translated by AI 4 min Reading Time

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In 2024, the manufacturing industry installed a total of 542,000 new industrial robots in factories worldwide—more than twice as many as ten years ago. Asia again accounted for the largest share at 74 percent, while Europe reached 16 percent. This is according to the World Robotics 2025 Yearbook by the International Federation of Robotics.

The number of factory robots has doubled in the last ten years.(Image: Pixabay) — The number of factory robots has doubled in the last ten years.
(Image: Pixabay)

"The new World Robotics statistics show the second-best result for annual installations in 2024 since the surveys began—just 2% below the peak two years ago," says Takayuki Ito, President of the International Federation of Robotics. "The transition of many industries into the digital and automated age is marked by an enormous surge in demand. The global operational stock of industrial robots amounted to 4,664,000 units in 2024—a 9% increase compared to the previous year."

Asia, Europe, And America—Overview

In 2024, China was the largest robotics market in the world, with a global share of 54% of all units. The Chinese industry put 295,000 robots into operation, the highest number ever installed in a single year. For the first time, Chinese manufacturers sold more robots domestically than foreign suppliers. The market share rose to 57%, significantly surpassing the rates of previous years, which were only 28% a decade ago. China's operational stock of industrial robots exceeded the 2 million unit mark in 2024, also a global record. Robotics suppliers in China are succeeding in opening up new markets for automation, laying the foundation for further demand. By 2028, the Chinese manufacturing industry has the potential for an average annual growth of 10%.

Japan, with 44,500 installed units in 2024, is the second-largest market for industrial robots worldwide and has maintained its position despite a slight decline of 4%. The operational stock increased by 3% to 450,500 units. The demand for factory robots is expected to grow slightly at low single-digit rates in 2025 and at mid-single-digit rates on average in the coming years.

South Korea installed a total of 30,600 units in 2024—a decrease of 3%. Since 2019, annual rates have remained steady at around 31,000 units. South Korea is the fourth-largest robotics market worldwide, after the United States, Japan, and China. India is growing with a record number of 9,100 newly installed industrial robots in 2024, an increase of 7%. The automotive industry, with a market share of 45%, is the strongest customer sector. With its annual installations, India now ranks sixth worldwide, just one position behind Germany.

Europe

In Europe, the number of installed industrial robots decreased by 8% to 85,000 units—still achieving the second-best result ever recorded. A total of 80% of all robot installations were accounted for by the European Union (67,800 units). The demand in Europe particularly benefits from the nearshoring trend. The average annual growth rate from 2019 to 2024 was +3%.

Germany is the largest robotics market within Europe and the fifth largest worldwide. The number of installations declined by 5% in 2024 to 27,000 units following the record year of 2023, achieving the second-best result since records began. This gives Germany a 32% share of the annual total volume in Europe. In Italy, the second-largest European market, installations fell by 16% to 8,800 units. Spain, with strong demand from the automotive industry, ranks third (5,100 units), overtaking its French neighbors. France (4,900 units) drops to fourth place with a 24% decrease.

In the United Kingdom, the number of installations fell by 35% in 2024 to 2,500 units. The record of 3,800 industrial robots in 2023 marked a one-time peak, attributed to the "Super-Deduction" tax credit program, which ended in the first quarter of 2023. Otherwise, installation numbers have remained flat with cyclical effects over the past ten years. In 2024, the UK's robot installations rank 19th worldwide.

America

The number of robot installations in the Americas exceeded 50,000 units for the fourth consecutive year, with a total of 50,100 units installed in 2024. This represents a 10% decrease compared to 2023. The United States, with a 68% share, is the largest market for industrial robots in the region. A total decline of 9% was recorded in installations in 2024, reaching 34,200 units. Since there are only a few U.S. manufacturers, the country imports the majority of its robot units from Japan and Europe. However, there are numerous domestic system integrators in the U.S. that implement robot-based automation solutions.

In Mexico, the total number of installations reached 5,600 units, representing a 4% decrease compared to the previous year. The automotive industry remained the most important consumer of industrial robots in Mexico in 2024, with a share of 63%. In Canada, robot installations declined by 12% to 3,800 units. Demand in the country largely depends on the investment cycles of the automotive industry, which accounted for 47% of the market in Canada in 2024.

Outlook

OECD and IMF expect global growth of between 2.9% and 3.0% for 2025 and between 2.9% and 3.1% for 2026. However, geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and trade disruptions are negatively impacting the global economy.

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The robotics industry is not immune to global macroeconomic conditions. However, there are no indications that the long-term growth trend will end anytime soon. While trends vary significantly by region, the overall global development remains positive. Worldwide, the number of robot installations is expected to increase by 6% in 2025 to 575,000 units. By 2028, forecasts predict the milestone of 700,000 units will be surpassed.

About the IFR

The International Federation of Robotics is the voice of the global robotics industry. IFR represents national robotics associations, research institutions, as well as robot manufacturers from more than twenty countries. IFR was founded in 1987 as a non-profit organization.