Factories worldwide installed 603,000 new industrial robots in 2025, up 11% from a year earlier, while the global operational stock surpassed 5 million units, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) said.
China is setting the pace. Chinese manufacturers installed 195,000 robots domestically, giving them a 55% share of installations in their home market. The global picture is becoming more uneven: China is driving a large share of new installations, the United States is expanding, and Europe is advancing at a slower clip. For robotics companies targeting Europe, the focus may increasingly shift to identifying the factories, industries and applications where automation can address measurable operational challenges.
China remained the largest market by far, installing about 354,000 robots, a 20% year-on-year increase that accounted for 59% of global installations. The scale of China’s rollout highlights the accelerating adoption of automation across its manufacturing base.
The United States installed nearly 38,500 robots, up 12%, overtaking Japan to become the world’s second-largest market. Japan followed with 36,219 installations, while South Korea recorded about 30,000. Germany remained Europe’s biggest market with roughly 24,800 installations.
Europe is moving more slowly than Asia. IFR data showed Germany accounted for 41% of industrial robot installations across the European Union in 2025. Slower installation growth can point to weaker near-term capital spending, but it also signals potential demand for modernization.
European manufacturers in automotive, machinery, metal processing, electronics, food, pharmaceuticals and logistics are contending with labor shortages, production costs, ageing equipment and rising international competition. That is creating opportunities for suppliers across the broader industrial automation ecosystem.
The opening extends beyond robot arms. Manufacturers increasingly want integrated automation solutions that combine industrial robots and cobots, machine vision, sensors, grippers and end-of-arm tooling, motion and drive systems, industrial AI, automation software, system integration and digital manufacturing technologies. The shift means suppliers must address specific production applications rather than simply sell individual robotic systems.
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