Asia accounted for 70% of new robot installations in factories in 2023, the latest report from the International Federation of Robotics reveals, while new factory robot installations globally increased 10%.

China is the largest market with 276,288 industrial robots installed in 2023, representing 51% of the global installations. The country also had 1.8 million units in 2023, “making China the first and only country in the world with such a large robot stock”.

Japan is the second largest market for industrial robots with installations reaching 46,106 units in 2023.

India is one of the fastest growing markets, increasing its installations in 2023 by 59%, to 8,510 units.

At the end of 2023, there were 4,281,585 units operating in factories internationally; unsurprisingly a record high.

Europe accounted for 17% of new factory robot installations in 2023 and the Americas for 10%.

Industrial robot installations through Europe in 2023 increased 9% to a new high of 92,393 units, with Germany accounting for the highest growth in Europe, up 7% year-on-year to 28,355 units.

In the Americas, factory robot installations fell by 1% to 55,389 units, in part the result of weakening demand from the US automotive industry.

President of the International Federation of Robotics Marina Bill says: “The new World Robotics statistics show an all-time high in the number of industrial robots automating production around the world”.

“The annual installation figure of 541,302 units in 2023 is the second highest in history,” Bill adds. “It is only 2% lower than the record of 552,946 units installed in 2022.”

The International Federation of Robotics says while the OECD has forecast global growth in robotics to stabilise, “geopolitical headwinds are still perceived as a major risk and uncertainty factor”.

“By 2024, the global economic downturn will have bottomed out," the 2024 report states. "Global robot installations are expected to level off at 541,000 units. 

“Growth is expected to accelerate in 2025 and continue in 2026 and 2027. There are no signs that the overall long-term growth trend will end in the near future.”