The new World Robotics report shows an all-time high of 517,385 new industrial robots installed in 2021 in factories around the world. This represents a growth rate of 31% year-on-year and exceeds the pre-pandemic record of robot installation in 2018 by 22%. Today, the stock of operational robots around the globe hits a new record of about 3.5 million units." "The use of robotics and automation is growing at a breathtaking speed," says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. "Within six years, annual robot installations more than doubled.

"The use of robotics and automation is growing at a breathtaking speed," says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. "Within six years, annual robot installations more than doubled. According to our latest statistics, installations grew strongly in 2021 in all major customer industries, although supply chain disruptions as well as different local or regional headwinds hampered production." Asia remains the world's largest market for industrial robots. Installations for the region s largest adopter China grew strongly by 51% with 268,195 units shipped.

The new World Robotics report shows an all-time high of 517,385 new industrial robots installed in 2021 in factories around the world. This represents a growth rate of 31% year-on-year and exceeds the pre-pandemic record of robot installation in 2018 by 22%. Today, the stock of operational robots around the globe hits a new record of about 3.5 million units." "The use of robotics and automation is growing at a breathtaking speed," says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. "Within six years, annual robot installations more than doubled.

Sales of industrial robots have reached a strong recovery: A new record of 486,800 units were shipped globally – an increase of 27% compared to the previous year. Asia/Australia saw the largest growth in demand: installations were up 33% reaching 354,500 units. The Americas increased by 27% with 49,400 units sold. Europe saw double digit growth of 15% with 78,000 units installed. These preliminary results for 2021 have been published by the International Federation of Robotics.

China's massive investment in industrial robotics has put the country in the top ranking of robot density, surpassing the United States for the first time. The number of operational industrial robots relative to the number of workers hit 322 units per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing industry. The world s top 5 most automated countries in manufacturing 2021 are: South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany and China. "Robot density is a key indicator of automation adoption in the manufacturing industry around the world," says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. "The new average of global robot density in the manufacturing industry surged to 141 robots per 10,000 employees – more than double the number six years ago. China's rapid growth shows the power of its investment so far, but it still has much opportunity to automate."