South Korea leads globally in robot density, a key metric for comparing automation levels in manufacturing, with 1,012 robots per 10,000 employees—an increase of 5% since 2018, the IFR reported.
Singapore ranks second, followed by China, which has achieved a robot density of 470 per 10,000 workers. This figure represents more than double its density in 2019.
Germany, in comparison, has a robot density of 429 per 10,000 employees, maintaining an annual growth rate of 5% since 2018, according to the IFR.
“China’s significant investments in automation have propelled it to third place in robot density in 2023, trailing only South Korea and Singapore, and ahead of Germany and Japan,” stated IFR President Takayuki Ito.
Germany, which has traditionally relied on its industrial sector and exports for economic growth, now faces stiff competition from nations like China. With expectations of economic contraction for the second consecutive year in 2024, Germany is projected to be the weakest performer among the Group of Seven nations.
