Asia leads robot installation globally by 70%

China accounted for 51% of the market.

Seventy percent of all newly deployed robots in 2023 were installed in Asia, leading the market globally, according to the International Federation of Robotics.

China accounted for 51% of the market, with 276,288 industrial robots installed in 2023. This is the second-highest level recorded, compared to 290,144 units in 2022. Additionally, the share of Chinese manufacturers in the domestic market reached 47% in 2023.

Although it has fluctuated around 28% over the past decade, the operational stock was still at the 1.8-million-unit-mark in 2023, making China the only country with a large robot stock. 

However, robot demand is expected to accelerate in the second half of 2024. In the longer term, Chinese manufacturing has a potential 5-10% average annual growth until 2027.

Meanwhile, Japan remained the second largest global robot market, reaching 46,106 units in 2023, down 9% from 50,435 units in 2022. Demand is expected to remain stagnant in 2024 but will moderately recover in 2025.

In South Korea, the market is trending sideways. Installations reached 31,444 units in 2023, down 1% year-on-year. Still, the country was the fourth largest robot market in the world in terms of annual installations.

India was also recognised as one of the fastest growing emerging Asian economies. Robot installations increased by 59% to 8,510 units in 2023, a new high. Demand from the automotive industry soared to 3,551 units, increasing to 139%.