Robot density almost doubled worldwide
Use of industrial robots factories around the world are accelerating rapidly: 126 robots per 10,000 employees is the new global average for robot density in the industry – almost double the number five years ago (2015: 66 units). This is according to the 2021 World Robot Statistics published by the International Robotics Federation (IFR).
By region, the average robot density in Asia / Australia is 134 units, in Europe 123 units and in the Americas 111 units. The 5 most automated countries in the world are South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany and Sweden.
“Robot density is a barometer that monitors the degree of automation adoption in the manufacturing industry around the world,” says Milton Guerry, President of the International Robotics Federation.
Asia
The development of robot density in China is the most dynamic in the world: due to the significant growth in robot installations, the density increased from 49 units in 2015 to 246 units in 2020. Today, China’s robot density ranks 9th globally, while robot density is only 25th. years ago.
Asia is also the country with the highest robot density in the industrial industry in the world: the Republic of Korea has been in this position since 2010. The country’s robot density is seven times higher than the global average (932 units per 10,000 employees). Robot density has increased by an average of 10% per year since 2015. The Korean economy is based on the two largest regions of industrial robots, thanks to the world-renowned electronics industry and a clear automotive industry.
Singapore is in second place with 605 robots per 10,000 employees in 2020. Singapore’s robot density has increased by an average of 27% every year since 2015.
Japan ranked third in the world: In 2020, 390 robots per 10,000 workers were installed in the industry. Japan is the world’s leading manufacturer of industrial robots: Japanese suppliers had a production capacity of 174,000 units in 2020. Japanese manufacturers now supply 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 China’s Taipei (248 units) and China (246 units). The modernization of domestic production facilities has boosted robot sales in the United States. The use of industrial robots also helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, e.g. in the cost-effective production of solar panels and the ongoing transition to electric vehicles. Several car manufacturers have announced investments to expand their plants to new electric-powered car models or to increase battery production capacity. These major projects will create demand for industrial robots in the coming years.
Europe
Germany is the most automated country in Europe, ranking 4th worldwide with 371 units. Annual supply accounted for 33% of total robot sales in Europe in 2020 – 38% of European operational inventory is in Germany. The German robotics industry is recovering, driven mainly by strong foreign business rather than domestic or European markets. Demand for robots in Germany is expected to grow slowly, supported mainly by demand for cheap robots in the general industry and outside traditional manufacturing.
In France, the robot density is 194 units (16th in the world), well above the global average of 126 robots and relatively similar to other EU countries such as Spain (203 units), Austria (205 units) or the Netherlands (209 units). In EU countries such as Sweden (289 units), Denmark (246 units) or Italy (224 units), the degree of automation in the manufacturing segment is significantly higher.
As the only G7 country in the UK, the robot density is below the world average of 126 units and 101 units, ranking 24th. Five years ago, the robot density in the UK was 71 units. Forcing foreign labor after Brexit boosted demand for robots in 2020. This situation is expected to prevail in the near future.
Source: International Federation of Robotics