The world is automating faster than ever, hitting a new record of 3.9 million operational industrial robots in 2022.
Over the past six years, the density of robots in the workforce has more than doubled, reflecting the rapid pace of technological advancement and our world’s increased reliance on automation.
This infographic visualizes the number of industrial robots operating per 10,000 employees by country in 2022, using data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) updated as of January 2024.
Asia Leads The Industrial Robot Revolution
Asia is investing heavily into automation and advanced manufacturing technologies. Asian countries make up half of the top 10 countries with the most industrial robots per 10,000 employees, with South Korea, Singapore, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan appearing on the list.
| Rank | Country | Industrial robots operating per 10,000 employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1012 | |
| 2 | 730 | |
| 3 | 415 | |
| 4 | 397 | |
| 5 | 392 | |
| 6 | 343 | |
| 7 | 333 | |
| 8 | 296 | |
| 9 | 292 | |
| 10 | 285 | |
| 🌍 World (Average) | 151 |
South Korea leads the world in robot density with 1,012 robots per 10,000 employees, which is more than six times the global average of just 151.
South Korea is known for its advanced robots industry, and is home to many major electronics and automotive brands like Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and Kia, that employ robots in their factories. Currently, about 30% of all industrial robots are used in the automotive industry, while 26% are used in electronics manufacturing, according to the IFR.
Singapore follows South Korea at 730 robots per 10,000 workers, highlighting how technologically advanced countries with smaller populations have some of the highest rates of robotics adoption in comparison to their workforces.
When it comes to absolute terms, however, China has historically led the world in number of industrial robot installations.