ACTIVE INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS WORLDWIDE EXCEED 5 MILLION FOR THE FIRST TIME AMID LABOR GAPS, SUPPLY-CHAIN SHIFTS

Sun 04 October 2026:

Installations rose 11% to more than 600,000 units last year, with China accounting for nearly three-fifths of new deployments

Worldwide factory automation reached historic levels last year as advances in artificial intelligence and shifts in supply chains lifted the global stock of active industrial robots above 5 million, a new report said.

The International Federation of Robotics said the operational robot fleet grew 9% from a year earlier, while new installations climbed 11% to more than 600,000 units.

China takes majority of new deployments

China remained far ahead of every other market. Annual installations there rose 20% to 354,000 units, equal to 59% of global deployments, and domestic suppliers captured 55% of sales inside the country.

The United States moved into second place after installations increased 12% to 38,500 robots. Japan dropped from that ranking as installations fell 19% to 36,219 units.

South Korea held fourth place with 30,200 installations. Germany followed with an 8% decline to 24,800, and India recorded a 15% rise to 10,500.

Europe slows as Germany still leads the bloc

Germany’s expansion cooled, though the country still accounted for 41% of all installations in the European Union. Italy, France and Spain also recorded contractions.

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Further growth expected through 2029

Global demand is forecast to keep rising, with installations projected at 655,000 units this year and 806,000 by 2029.

The report linked the expansion to ongoing labor shortages in advanced economies, efforts to reshore supply chains, and AI-related technologies that are reducing the cost of deploying robots for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Türkiye’s installations fall from 2023 peak

Türkiye ranked 17th in the global robot market last year. Installations dropped 9% to 3,194 units, down from a record 4,429 in 2023.

The country’s operational stock still rose 7% to a record 30,990 units, placing it 15th worldwide by fleet size.

Metal remained the largest buyer. Installations in the sector increased 8% to 990 units, or 31% of the market, bringing the active fleet to 6,774 robots.

The automotive industry’s robot stock grew 3% to 889 new units, representing 28% of installations and leaving 11,017 robots in operation.

Other industries weakened. Annual installations in electrical and electronics, including home appliances and electrical machinery, fell 37% to 136 units. In food, beverages and tobacco, installations dropped 40% to 144 units.

Handling and machine tending accounted for 59% of new robots, and welding and soldering for 16%.

Robot density stays low outside autos

Robot density in Turkish manufacturing remained relatively low at 52 units per 10,000 workers. The auto sector was denser, at 374 robots per 10,000 workers, compared with 35 per 10,000 in other industries.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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