Asia as a dominant market - 73% of new installations in 2022.
In 2022, the global market. industrial robots reached a record number of installed units - 553,052. This represents a 5% increase compared to the previous year, confirming the ongoing trend of automation worldwide. However, most importantly, Asia dominated this market - 73% of all newly installed robots were in this region. This is not only exceeding the threshold of 500,000 units for the second time in a row, but also a clear signal of a shift in the center of gravity of production and automation towards East and South Asia.
In this context, China is not only the largest market, but also the main driver of growth. In 2022, 290,258 robots were installed there - a new record that exceeds the previous peak from. 2021. by 5%. This growth is particularly significant because even compared to 2021, which was already a 57% increase compared to 2020, the new record exceeded the previous level. This growth is possible thanks to the continuous development of production and investments in automation by both local and international robot suppliers.
China - market leader and robot production hub.
Enlarged imageClose zoomPrevious imageChina is not only the largest sales market, industrial robots, but also a key center for their production. In 2022, the Chinese market reached a new peak of 290,000 units, which accounts for over half of all installations in Asia and almost a fifth of the global market. This dynamic growth is possible thanks to the continuous development of industry - both in the automotive and electronics sectors - and investments in new production lines with robots. In response to growing demand, robot manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, are expanding their production capacity in China.
It is worth emphasizing that China is also one of the main producers. industrial robots - although there are no data on market share in this regard in the report, the fact that this country is the largest market and at the same time a production center suggests a strong position in the value chain. The growth of installations in China - an average of 13% per year since 2017 - shows deep integration of automation into the industrial structure of the country.
Europe and America: steady growth, but smaller share.
In Europe, the market. industrial robots remained the second largest - in 2022, 70,781 units were installed, representing a 5% increase. Germany is the most important market in the region, accounting for 36% of the EU share. Its installations decreased by 1% to 25,636 units, but still remain at a very high level. Italy and France show dynamic growth - +8% and +13%, respectively, indicating that automation is becoming established in countries with strong industries. The United Kingdom, despite post-Brexit challenges, recorded a 3% increase to 2,534 units - although this is significantly less than in Germany, it is still a positive signal.
In South and North America, installations increased by 8%, reaching 56,053 units - exceeding the level from 2018. The USA is the largest regional market, with a 71% share in America and 39,576 installations - an increase of 10%. The main driver of this growth was the automotive industry, which recorded a +47% increase. Although this did not reach the peak from 2018 (40,373 units), it shows a renewed dynamic. In Mexico, installations increased by 13%, while in Canada they decreased by 24% - mainly due to a decrease in demand from the automotive sector.
Forecast: up to 600 thousand robots per year as early as 2024
Although 2023 may be marked by a slowdown in global economic growth, the market industrial robots does not seem to be subject to these trends. According to IFR forecasts, a 7% increase is expected in 2023, which will lead to exceeding the threshold of 590 thousand units per year. This suggests that automation is not just a reaction to crises, but a strategic element of long-term production strategy. The most important point of the forecast is the predicted peak - in 2024, it is expected to reach the threshold of 600 thousand robots installed annually worldwide.
This is not only a number, but also a signal for the market: automation is becoming the standard, not the exception. For integrators and technology providers, such as NexaRob, this means increasing demand for integrated, flexible and scalable solutions. At the same time, it is worth remembering that forecasts are based on historical trends - they do not take into account potential geopolitical shocks, supply crises or changes in trade policy, which may affect the pace of investment.
