International Federation of Robotics
China overtakes the USA in terms of robot density
The global average robot density has more than doubled within six years (2015: 69 units). China has become the global leader and has overtaken the United States for the first time thanks to huge investments in industrial robotics.
Today, China ranks fifth in the world with 322 units per 10,000 employees. The top 5 most automated countries in the world in the manufacturing sector in 2021 are South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany and China. These are the findings of the World Robotics 2022 Report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).
"Robot density is a key indicator of how automation is developing in the manufacturing industry worldwide," says Marina Bill, President of the IFR. "Globally, the average robot density has risen to 141 robots per 10,000 employees - more than double the number of units six years earlier. The rapid growth in China reflects the high level of investment in the country, and the potential for further automation remains high."
Driven by numerous robot installations in recent years, robot density in Asia has risen at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% since 2016 to 156 units per 10,000 employees in 2021. Robot density in Europe rose by 8% annually (CAGR) over the same period, reaching 129 units. In North and South America, it was 117 robots - an annual increase of 8% (CAGR).
The Republic of Korea reached an all-time high of 1,000 industrial robots per 10,000 employees in 2021. This is more than three times the robot density in China. This puts the country in first place worldwide. With its internationally recognized electronics industry and a strong automotive sector, the Korean economy benefits from two major customer industries for industrial robots.
Singapore ranks second with 670 robots per 10,000 employees in 2021. Robot density in Singapore has increased by an average of 24% every year since 2016.
Japan (399 robots per 10,000 employees) follows at a clear distance in third place. Robot density in Japan has increased by an average of 6% every year since 2016. As the largest robot market in Europe, Germany is in fourth place worldwide (397 units).
China is by far the fastest growing robot market in the world. The country leads the annual installations and has also led the operational robot population without interruption since 2016.
Robot density in the United States rose from 255 units in 2020 to 274 in 2021, putting the country in ninth place worldwide (previously seventh) - now neck and neck with Chinese Taipei (276 units) and behind Hong Kong (304 units) and Sweden (321 units).
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