China Installs Record 354,000 Industrial Robots Amid Shrinking Workforce
China installed approximately 354,000 new industrial robots in 2025, setting a new annual record that surpasses the previous high by nearly 60,000 units, according to Forschung und Wissen. This surge represents a 20 percent increase from the prior year and accounts for more than half of the roughly 603,000 new industrial robots commissioned worldwide during the same period.
Global Comparison of Robot Installations
The scale of China’s automation drive dwarfs other major manufacturing nations. While China deployed 354,000 new systems, the United States accounted for approximately 38,500 new robot installations, and Japan recorded about 36,000 units. These figures make the Chinese market nearly nine times larger than the second-largest global market.
Research cited by Forschung und Wissen from the International Federation of Robotics shows that over two million industrial robots were already operating in China by the end of 2024. This rapid adoption is driven primarily by a shrinking domestic workforce. Government figures indicate that the population aged 16 to 59 dropped by 6.62 million within a single year, falling to 851.36 million people.
Sectors Leading Automation Growth
Automation investments span multiple core manufacturing sectors. The electronics industry claimed the largest share of new deployments, integrating about 96,400 systems—a 16 percent increase from the previous year. The automotive industry accelerated even faster, growing 38 percent to roughly 78,900 units.
Metal processing and mechanical engineering also expanded significantly. Installations in these sectors rose by 44 percent, reaching approximately 78,700 robots. Domestic Chinese manufacturers captured a major share of this internal demand, installing about 195,000 systems locally to maintain a 55 percent market share, while foreign suppliers grew alongside the expanding overall market.
Robot Manufacturing as a State Goal
The acceleration of factory automation forms a central pillar of the nation’s long-term economic strategy. The new Fünfjahresplan for 2026 through 2030 explicitly defines robotics as a strategic future industry. Policymakers aim to transition robotic applications into active production lines more rapidly while advancing the digital transformation of traditional industries.
Demographic pressures continue to intensify this transition. Government statistics record more than 323 million citizens aged 60 and older, representing nearly a quarter of the total population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many industrial robots operate in China?
By the end of 2024, more than two million industrial robots were already working in China, according to research from the International Federation of Robotics cited by Forschung und Wissen.
Which industrial sector installed the most robots in 2025?
The electronics industry led all sectors with approximately 96,400 new systems installed, followed by the automotive sector with about 78,900 units.
What is the domestic market share of Chinese robot manufacturers?
Chinese domestic builders installed roughly 195,000 systems within the country, giving local manufacturers a 55 percent market share.
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