Global trend: double robot density in five years
Over the past five years - from 2015 to 2020 - the average number industrial robots per 10,000 employees in the global manufacturing sector increased from 66 to 126 units. This is almost a twofold increase, which shows the dynamic development of automation in the global industry. According to IFR President Milton Guerry, robot density is a "barometer of the degree of adoption of automation" worldwide. The new data is not just statistics - it reflects real changes in production strategies, competitiveness and adaptation to changing market conditions.
This growth is not uniform. Regions such as Asia/Pacific, Europe and North America show different rates of development. In Asia, robot density is 134 units per 10,000 employees, in Europe - 123, and in North America - 111. This means that even regions with a lower average are undergoing active modernization, which may lead to an acceleration of the global trend in the coming years.
In 2020, robot density in China was 246 units per 10,000 employees, which corresponds to ninth place in the world - this is significant progress compared to 25th position five years earlier. The development of robot density in China is the fastest in the world: the increase in the number of robot installations has caused the density to increase from 49 units in 2015 to 246 in 2020. This trend shows how quickly countries are developing technologically and accelerating industrial transformation.
Enlarged imageClose zoomPrevious imageGlobal leaders: South Korea, Singapore and Japan at the forefront
South Korea has maintained its leadership since 2010 - its robot density in industry was 932 units per 10,000 employees in 2020, which is seven times higher than the global average. This is due to the country's strong dependence on electronics and automotive - two sectors that make the most intensive use of robotics. Robotics in South Korea has been growing by an average of 10% per year since 2015.
Singapore ranks second with a density of 605 units per 10,000 employees, and its indicator is growing by an average of 27% per year since 2015. This is one of the most striking examples of a deliberate technology policy - the country invests in automation as a way to maintain competitiveness despite the limited number of employees.
Japan, third in terms of density with 390 units per 10,000 employees, is not only a technological leader in robot production - its manufacturers supplied 45% of the world's supply in 2020. This shows that the country not only uses robots but also creates and exports them. The increase in density in these countries is not accidental - it is the result of a strategic choice to invest in technologies of the future.
Europe: Germany leads, Great Britain follows
In Europe, Germany is the most automated country - its robot density is 371 units per 10,000 employees, ranking it fourth in the world. In 2020, the German robotics industry accounted for 33% of the total European market and 38% of robots operating in Europe. Although the domestic market is not growing rapidly, exports - especially to Asia - are driving the sector's growth.
The United Kingdom, the only G7 country with a density below the global average (101 units per 10,000 employees), shows significant growth - from 71 units in 2015 to 101 in 2020. This is due to both the departure of foreign workers after Brexit and new tax incentives. Since April 2021, companies have been able to deduct up to 130% of the cost of machinery and equipment - so-called 'super-deduction'. This could accelerate the modernization of production in countries that were previously less automated.
Other EU countries also show high density: France has 194 units (16th place), and countries such as Sweden (289), Denmark (246) and Italy (224) achieve levels significantly higher than the global average. This shows that automation in Europe is not limited to Germany - it is a community-wide trend.
Significance for industry and the future of work
The increase in robot density is not just about technology - it is a structural change in the way production is organized. In countries with high robot density, it can be seen that automation supports decarbonization: for example, in the production of solar panels or batteries for electric vehicles. This shows that robots are not only a tool for reducing costs - they can be part of a sustainable development strategy.
At the same time, it should be remembered that the data relate only to industry - and do not include services, logistics or medicine. The increase in robot density in production does not automatically mean a change in the labor market - but it may require new skills and shifts in training. The example of the United Kingdom shows that tax policy can be a strong driver for automation, even if it has no direct connection with technology.
The IFR report emphasizes that robotics also supports the modernization of production in developing countries. The increase in density in China and other regions shows how global automation is becoming not only a technological trend, but also an element of economic and environmental strategy.
