Insider Brief
- The International Federation of Robotics reported that the global stock of industrial robots reached a record 5 million units in 2025, with more than 600,000 new installations during the year.
- China accounted for 59% of global deployments with 354,000 installations, while the U.S. moved ahead of Japan to become the world’s second-largest industrial robot market.
- The IFR expects annual installations to rise 9% to 655,000 units in 2026 and reach 806,000 by 2029, supported by manufacturing investment, labor shortages and advances in AI, machine vision and sensing.
The International Federation of Robotics reported the number of industrial robots operating in factories worldwide reached a record 5 million in 2025, more than double the total seven years earlier, as manufacturers continued to expand automation.
According to the IFR, factories installed more than 600,000 new industrial robots during the year, an 11% increase from 2024, while the global installed base rose 9%. Asia posted the strongest growth, followed by the Americas, while Europe expanded more slowly.
“Industrial automation is progressing at high speed,” IFR president Jane Heffner said in the announcement of the organization’s World Robotics 2026 report. “The new mark of five million robots operational in factories worldwide is more than double the number seven years ago. The strongest growth is taking place in Asia, followed by Americas. Europe is moving ahead more slowly.”
Global Market Snapshot
- China: 354,000 installations, up 20%, accounting for 59% of global deployments.
- United States: Nearly 38,500 installations, up 12%, moving ahead of Japan into second place globally.
- Japan: 36,219 installations, down 19%, falling to third place.
- South Korea: 30,000 installations, down 1%, remaining the fourth-largest market.
- Germany: Fewer than 25,000 installations, down 8%, ranking fifth globally and first in Europe.
- India: Nearly 10,500 installations, up 15%, ranking sixth worldwide.
Growth Across the Americas
Outside the U.S., Brazil recorded one of the largest increases. Installations jumped 38% to nearly 4,300 units, led by the automotive sector, where deployments more than tripled to about 2,100 robots. The IFR said investments by Chinese automakers were likely a factor.
Canada installed almost 4,000 robots, up 5%, while Mexico recorded its third consecutive annual decline, with installations falling 7% to fewer than 5,200 units.
Europe Moves More Slowly
Germany remained Europe’s largest industrial robot market and ranked fifth globally, accounting for 41% of European Union installations. However, German robot sales fell 8% to fewer than 25,000 units in 2025.
Italy, Europe’s second-largest market, recorded an 11% decline to about 7,800 installations. France installed nearly 4,500 robots, down 8%, while Spain installed about 4,300, down 15%.
The IFR expects global installations to rise another 9% to 655,000 units in 2026 and reach 806,000 by 2029.
The organization noted demand is being supported by efforts to expand manufacturing capacity, address labor shortages and make supply chains more resilient. Advances in artificial intelligence, machine vision and sensing are also increasing the range of tasks robots can perform, while easier programming and integration are lowering deployment barriers.
