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Robot density in manufacturing in 2023, according to IFR. | Source: IFR
According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), factories around the world continue to adopt more robots. The new global average robot density will hit a record of 162 robots per 10,000 employees in 2023. This is more than double the average of 74 measured just seven years ago.
Frankfurt, Germany-based IFR noted the growth in its “World Robotics 2024” report.
“Robot density serves as a barometer to track the degree of automation adoption in manufacturing industries around the world,” said Takayuki Ito, IFR’s new president. “The second place this year is China, which is third in the world after Korea and Singapore, but right behind Germany and Japan.”
Europe leads the region in robot density.
Breaking these numbers down by region, the European Union had the highest robot density, with 219 per 10,000 employees. This is a 5.2% increase from 2022, and Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Slovenia were included in the global top 10.
North America has 197 vehicles per 10,000 employees, up 4.2% from 2022.
In Asia, employment in manufacturing increased 7.6% to 182 per 10,000. The economies of South Korea, Singapore, mainland China, and Japan were among the top 10 most automated countries in 2023.
Founded in 1987, IFR aims to connect the global robotics world. Institutional members come from the robotics industry, national or international industry associations, and research and development institutions. The non-profit directly represents more than 90 members in more than 20 countries.
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IFR lists the countries that use robots the most.
As of 2023, Korea ranks first in the world in terms of industrial robot introduction, with 1,012 robots per 10,000 employees. Since 2018, domestic robot density has increased by an average of 5% every year.
IFR said South Korea’s economy relies on its two largest customers for industrial robots, with its world-renowned electronics industry and strong automotive industry.
Singapore recorded 770 robots per 10,000 employees. Being a small country with very few employees in the manufacturing industry, we are able to reach high densities with relatively small operating inventories.
China took third place in 2023, overtaking Germany and Japan for the first time. We have invested heavily in automation technology in recent years. IFR says these investments appear to be paying off, with China reaching a high robot density of 470 robots per 10,000 employees compared to 402 in 2022.
“China’s massive investments in automation technology have achieved high robot density despite a huge manufacturing workforce of about 37 million people,” Ito said. “Robot density serves as a useful indicator for comparing levels of manufacturing automation across countries.”
Germany and Japan ranked 4th and 5th, respectively, following China. Germany has 429 robots per 10,000 employees, and robot density has increased at a CAGR of 5% since 2018.
Japan is following closely behind with 419 units. Robot density in the world’s top robot manufacturing countries increased by an average of 7% per year from 2018 to 2023.
The United States will reach 295 vehicles per 10,000 employees in 2023, ranking 11th globally and just outside the top 10. As robot density is increasing, the United States has installed 285 robots per 10,000 as of 2022.
America has not been able to keep up with the world. It was the 10th most automated country in the world in 2022, and the 9th most automated country in the world in 2021.
