-

Robot density nearly doubled globally – International Federation of Robotics reports

FRANKFURT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The use of industrial robots in factories around the world is accelerating at a high rate: 126 robots per 10,000 employees is the new average of global robot density in the manufacturing industries – nearly double the number five years ago (2015: 66 units). This is according to the 2021 World Robot Statistics, issued by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

By regions, the average robot density in Asia/Australia is 134 units, in Europe 123 units and in the Americas 111 units. The top 5 most automated countries in the world are: South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany, and Sweden.

“Robot density is the barometer to track the degree of automation adoption in the manufacturing industry around the world,” says Milton Guerry, President of the International Federation of Robotics.

Asia
The development of robot density in China is the most dynamic worldwide: Due to the significant growth of robot installations, the density rate rose from 49 units in 2015 to 246 units in 2020. Today, China’s robot density ranks 9th globally compared to 25th just five years ago.

Asia is also the home of the country with the world´s highest robot density in the manufacturing industry: the Republic of Korea has held this position since 2010. The country’s robot density exceeds the global average seven-fold (932 units per 10,000 workers).

Singapore takes second place with a rate of 605 robots per 10,000 employees in 2020.

Japan ranked third in the world: In 2020, 390 robots were installed per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing industry. Japan is the world´s predominant industrial robot manufacturer: Today, Japan´s manufacturers deliver 45% of the global robot supply.

North America
Robot density in the United States rose from 176 units in 2015 to 255 units in 2020. The country ranks seventh in the world – ahead of Chinese Taipei (248 units) and China (246 units).

Europe
Europe´s most automated country is Germany - ranking 4th worldwide with 371 units. The annual supply had a share of 33% of total robot sales in Europe 2020.

Please find FULL TEXT press release here: International Federation of Robotics (ifr.org)

Graphic download: https://ifr.org/ifr-press-releases/news/robot-density-nearly-doubled-globally

IFR Video: FACTS about INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS - worldwide 2021 - YouTube

About IFR: www.ifr.org

Follow IFR on LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

Contacts

IFR Press contact
Carsten Heer
phone +49 (0) 40 822 44 284
E-Mail: press@ifr.org

International Federation of Robotics

Details
Headquarters: Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland
Website: IFR.org
CEO: Gudrun Litzenberger
Employees: 50
Organization: NON

Release Versions

Contacts

IFR Press contact
Carsten Heer
phone +49 (0) 40 822 44 284
E-Mail: press@ifr.org

More News From International Federation of Robotics

U.S. Now Second-Largest Robotics Market, Following China

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The United States installed 38,400 industrial robots in 2025, marking a 12% year-on-year increase. This surpassed Japan's installation figure of 36,200, making the US the second-largest market for industrial robots in the world after China. “US robot demand has rebounded very strongly: 2025 ranked as the third strongest year on record behind 2018 and 2022,” says Jane Heffner, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “Growth came from th...

European Union's Industrial Robot Stock Hits Record 700,000 Units

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The European Union (EU-27) has surpassed the milestone of having 700,000 operational industrial robots in 2025, accounting for 84% of the total number of robots in operation across Europe. This is according to the World Robotics 2026 Industrial Robots report, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). “The European Union's manufacturing sector has invested significantly in automation: From 2015 to 2025, the number of operational rob...

Five Million Robots Now Operate in Factories Globally

FRANKFURT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The global operational stock of industrial robots surged 9% to a record 5 million units in 2025. This was driven by an 11% jump in annual installations: Factories worldwide installed more than 600,000 new units over the year. “Industrial automation is progressing at high speed,” says Jane Heffner, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “The new mark of five million robots operational in factories worldwide is more than double the number seven...
Back to Newsroom