Industrial Robot Installations Doubled in a Decade
IFR says 542,000 industrial robots were installed in 2024—double 10 years ago. Asia led with 74% and China 54%. Europe and the Americas fell; 575k forecast in 2025.
Industrial robot installations doubled over the last 10 years, with Asia cementing its lead and Europe slipping, according to new data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).
The IFR reports 542,000 industrial robots were installed worldwide in 2024—more than twice the volume a decade earlier and the second-highest annual total on record, just 2% below the 2022 peak. Asia accounted for 74% of new deployments, far ahead of Europe at 16% and the Americas at 9%.
Regional Breakdown
Asia extended its dominance in 2024, while Europe and the Americas retreated from recent highs.
Asia: Scale, Momentum, and Policy Support
China dominated the market, representing 54% of global installations—about 295,000 units—as manufacturers accelerated automation and digital transformation. The IFR expects China’s installations to grow roughly 10% per year through 2028, supported by the country’s national robotics strategy launched in late 2021.
- Japan remained the second-largest market with 44,500 units.
- South Korea installed 30,600 units.
- India set a new record at 9,100 units, driven largely by automotive demand.
Europe: Broad-Based Contraction
Europe saw an 8% decline in installations. Germany led the region with 26,982 units, but several major markets contracted sharply: Italy fell 16%, France 24%, and the U.K. dropped 35% to 2,500 units.
Americas: Cooling After Strong Years
In the Americas, installations decreased 10% to 50,100 units, reflecting a pause after recent expansion and macro uncertainty.
Quick takeaways:
- Asia leads with 74% share; China alone accounts for 54% of global installs.
- Europe down 8% overall, with notable declines in Italy, France, and the U.K.
- Americas down 10% to just over 50k units.
What’s Driving the Long-Term Upswing
IFR leadership attributes the growth to ongoing digitization and automation across industries, despite geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. Advances in robotics are widening use cases and lowering adoption barriers.
- AI-enabled capabilities for perception, planning, and quality inspection
- Easier-to-use systems and faster deployment
- Collaborative robots and mobile manipulators expanding applications
- Persistent labor shortages pushing automation for output and resilience
Outlook: 2025–2028
Looking ahead, the IFR forecasts a 6% rise in global installations in 2025 to about 575,000 units and expects the market to surpass 700,000 units by 2028.
The federation says demand will increasingly be shaped by AI-driven innovation, competitive pressures, and new applications across sectors.
The Bottom Line
Automation is accelerating fastest in Asia, led by China’s scale and policy support, while Europe and the Americas face a reset after 2024 declines. With technology improving and labor gaps persisting, robot installations are likely to keep climbing worldwide.
Source: International Federation of Robotics (IFR)
