The global operational stock of industrial robots rose 9% to a record 5 million units in 2025, on the back of more than 600,000 new installations — an 11% year-on-year jump, according to the International Federation of Robotics' World Robotics 2026 report, published on 24 September.
“Industrial automation is progressing at high speed,” said IFR president Jane Heffner. “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 the Americas. Europe is moving ahead more slowly.”
China extended its lead decisively: installations grew 20% year-on-year and now account for 59% of global deployments, with 354,000 units installed in 2025 — almost 60,000 above the previous annual record. Chinese manufacturers sold more robots at home than foreign suppliers for the first time in a decisive way, taking a 55% domestic share with 195,000 units.
The United States surpassed Japan to become the second-largest market, with installations up 12% to almost 38,500 units — the third-highest figure in the history of the statistics. Japan's installations fell 19% to 36,219 units, pushing it to third globally. South Korea held fourth with 30,000 units, down 1%. India installed almost 10,500 units, up 15%, and has grown 27% per year on average since 2020.
Europe lagged. Germany remains the largest European market and fifth worldwide, but its installations fell 8% to fewer than 25,000 units, giving it 41% of all EU installations. Italy fell 11% to about 7,800 units, France 8% to almost 4,500 and Spain 15% to about 4,300. Mexico declined 7% for a third straight year, while Brazil jumped 38% to almost 4,300 units, driven by a 212% surge in automotive demand.
The IFR forecasts installations rising 9% to 655,000 units in 2026 and reaching 806,000 by 2029, citing reshoring, labour shortages and AI, machine vision and easier programming as structural drivers.
