03 October 2026 | Report
The global industrial robotics market reached a new milestone in 2025, with factories installing 603,000 new industrial robots, an 11% increase from the previous year. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) says the global operational stock also surpassed 5 million robots.
China remained the dominant market, installing approximately 354,000 industrial robots in 2025, up 20% year over year and representing 59% of global installations. The scale of China’s deployment highlights the accelerating adoption of automation across its manufacturing ecosystem.
The United States recorded nearly 38,500 installations, increasing 12% and moving ahead of Japan to become the world’s second-largest market. Japan installed 36,219 robots, while South Korea recorded approximately 30,000 installations. Germany remained Europe’s largest robotics market, with about 24,800 installations.
Europe’s Automation Market
Europe presents a different pattern. IFR data shows that Europe is progressing more slowly than Asia, with Germany accounting for 41% of industrial robot installations across the European Union in 2025.
While slower installation growth can indicate weaker near-term capital expenditure, it also highlights potential demand for modernization. European manufacturers across automotive, machinery, metal processing, electronics, food, pharmaceuticals and logistics are dealing with challenges including labor shortages, production costs, ageing equipment and increasing international competition.
These factors are creating opportunities for companies supplying the broader industrial automation ecosystem.
Beyond Industrial Robots
The opportunity extends beyond robot arms. Manufacturers increasingly require complete automation solutions that combine:
The shift toward integrated automation means suppliers increasingly need to address specific production applications rather than simply sell individual robotic systems.
China Sets the Pace
China’s 2025 figures demonstrate the scale at which automation can be deployed across a manufacturing economy. Chinese manufacturers themselves installed 195,000 robots domestically, giving them a 55% share of installations in their home market.
The global picture is therefore becoming more differentiated. China is driving a large share of new installations, the United States is expanding its robotics market, while European markets are moving at a slower pace.
For robotics companies targeting Europe, this creates a market where the focus may increasingly shift toward identifying the factories, industries and applications where automation can address measurable operational challenges.
The Road Ahead
The latest IFR figures show that industrial automation continues to expand globally, but adoption is uneven across regions. With more than 600,000 robots installed worldwide in 2025, the industry is moving beyond traditional automotive applications into electronics, metal and machinery, food and other manufacturing segments.
For Europe, the next phase of robotics adoption could increasingly depend on modernization, productivity improvement and the ability of automation providers to deliver integrated solutions tailored to manufacturers’ operational needs.
The underlying market opportunity is therefore not limited to robot installations. It encompasses the wider ecosystem of AI, software, sensing, motion control, vision, integration and intelligent automation that will shape the next generation of manufacturing.
