Robot Usage Up by 10%
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#### International Federation of Robotics Survey Reveals Over 4.2 Million Robots Installed Globally
The latest World Robotics report released by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) indicates that there are currently 4,281,585 robots operational in factories worldwide, marking a 10% increase from last year. Annual installations have surpassed 500,000 units for the third consecutive year. By region, 70% of new robot installations in 2023 were in Asia, 17% in Europe, and 10% in the Americas.
“The latest World Robotics statistics show that the number of industrial robots used for automation production has reached an all-time high globally,” said IFR President Marina Bill. “The annual installation figure of 541,302 units in 2023 is the second-highest on record, just 2% lower than the record set in 2022 at 552,946 units.”
Global Overview
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IFR concluded that China remains the world’s largest market. In 2023, 276,288 industrial robots were installed, accounting for 51% of global installations. This figure is the second-highest on record (290,144 units in 2022). Since 2022, Chinese manufacturers have seen a significant increase in their market share domestically, reaching 47% in 2023. Over the past decade, this share has fluctuated around 28%. By 2023, China’s operational robot inventory approached 1.8 million units, making it the only country with such a large-scale robot inventory globally. It is anticipated that demand for robots will accelerate in the second half of 2024 and stabilize by year-end. From a long-term perspective, Chinese manufacturing still has substantial growth potential, expected to grow at an average rate of 5-10% annually up to 2027.
Japan maintains its position as the world’s second-largest market for industrial robots after China. In 2023, robot installations reached 46,106 units, a decline of 9% year-over-year. The previous two years saw strong performance, with 50,435 units installed in 2022, the second-best result since 2018 (55,240 units). Demand for robots is expected to remain stagnant in 2024 but will likely recover to a mid-to-high single-digit growth rate starting from 2025.
The Korean market has stabilized: robot installations reached 31,444 units in 2023, down by 1% year-over-year. In terms of annual installation volume, the country ranks as the fourth-largest robotics market globally after the United States, Japan, and China.
India is one of the fastest-growing emerging Asian economies. In 2023, robot installations increased by 59%, reaching a new high of 8,510 units. Demand from the automotive sector surged to 3,551 units, up by 139%. Both automakers and suppliers contributed to this growth.
For more detailed coverage and regional usage statistics, please visit MMH.com.
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Source: New SCMR
