China has become the world leader in robot density, overtaking the United States for the first time thanks to huge investment in industrial robotics.
In the manufacturing industry, the number of operational robots rose to 322 units per 10,000 employees. Today, China ranks fifth in the world. The top 5 most automated countries in the world in manufacturing in 2021 are South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany and China. These are the findings of the 'World Robotics 2022 Report of the International Federation of Robotics' (IFR).
According to the IFR, robot density is a key indicator of how automation is developing in the manufacturing industry. According to the IFR, the average global robot density has risen to 141 robots per 10,000 employees - more than twice as many units as six years ago. The rapid growth in China is also due to the country's high level of investment with great potential for further automation.
Robot density in the regions
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 stood at 117 robots - an annual increase of 8% (CAGR). Asia remains the world's largest market for industrial robots. 74% of all newly installed robots in 2021 were installed in Asia (2020: 70%)
The top countries are as follows:
- The Republic of Korea reached an all-time high of 1000 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 there has increased by an average of 24% every year since 2016.
- Japan (399 robots per 10,000 employees) is well behind in third place. Robot density in the country has increased by an average of 6% every year since 2016.
Japan is the world's dominant robot manufacturing country: exports of Japanese industrial robots reached a new high of 186,102 units in 2021. - As the largest robot market in Europe, Germany ranks fourth worldwide (397 units per10,000 employees).
- The number of robots installed in Germany grew by 6% to 23,777 units in 2021. This is the second-highest installation figure ever recorded, after peaking in 2018 due to massive investments by the automotive industry. The number of robots in operation in 2021 was calculated at 245,908 units (+7%). Exports of industrial robots from Germany rose by 41% to 22,870 units, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
- 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).
Rising energy prices, prices for intermediate products and the shortage of electronic components pose challenges for all sectors of the global economy. However, order books are full and demand for industrial robots has never been higher. Overall, the IFR expects global robot installations to grow by 10% in 2022. The post-pandemic boom in 2021 is expected to slow down in 2022. From 2022 to 2025, average annual growth rates in the mid to upper single-digit range are forecast.
