The world's number one "robotics nation": China
China is continuously consolidating its position as a global leader in robotics technology. According to the latest industry data, China not only dominates the global market in terms of industrial robot installations, total stock, and production, but its domestic brands are also rising at an unprecedented pace in the local market, reshaping the global supply chain landscape.
According to the latest "World Robotics Report 2025" released by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), despite global industrial robot installations remaining flat year-on-year in 2024, the Chinese market achieved a 7% growth against the trend. This growth brought China’s new industrial robot installations for the year to 295,000 units, accounting for 54% of the global total—a new record high.
Meanwhile, the market share of Chinese domestic robot manufacturers is rising sharply. According to news from Chasewind Trading Desk, in a recent report by Morgan Stanley analysts Sheng Zhong, Chelsea Wang, and others, in 2024, the share of domestic brands in China’s industrial robot market jumped from 47% in 2023 to 58%, marking a new milestone in the technological maturity and market acceptance of the local supply chain.
Robust demand is not only reflected in new installations but also in the vast existing stock. By 2024, the number of operating industrial robots worldwide reached 4.66 million units, of which China owns 2 million, accounting for 43% of the global total—up from 41% in 2023. This data highlights China’s core driving role in the global wave of automation and its profound impact on global investors and supply chain participants.
The Global Growth Engine Rising Against the Odds
Report data show that as demand in major global economies for robots slows, China has become a key force supporting industry growth. In 2024, global industrial robot installations totaled 542,000 units, essentially unchanged from the previous year. However, regional performance varied significantly.
According to IFR data, driven by China’s strong performance (up 7% year-on-year), the overall Asian market, including Australia, achieved a 5% year-on-year increase. In contrast, installation volumes in Europe and the Americas both saw high single-digit declines year-on-year.
China’s growth not only offset weakness in other markets but also raised its share of new global installations from 51% in 2023 to 54%, further strengthening its status as the world’s largest robot consumer market.
The Rise of Domestic Brands and Supply Chain Leadership
In addition to its significance as a consumer market, China has also made notable progress in robot production and domestic brand development. According to estimates from Morgan Stanley, about 55% of global robots are technically produced in China, demonstrating its central manufacturing role in the global robot supply chain.
Even more strategically significant is the rise of domestic brands. In 2024, Chinese brands surpassed 50% market share domestically for the first time, reaching 58%. This leap in growth is transforming a market previously dominated by foreign brands.
According to data cited from market research firm MIR in the report, by unit sales, domestic brand Estun ranked second in the Chinese market in 2024, only behind Japan’s Fanuc. This trend is expected to continue, posing direct competitive pressure on global robot suppliers.
Emerging Applications Expand Industry Boundaries
Meanwhile, the growth drivers in China and the global robot market are becoming increasingly diversified.
In 2024, demand in traditional sectors such as automotive and electronics was relatively weak. However, general industries represented by metalworking, machinery, and food saw steadily rising demand, with installations reaching 287,000 units—about 53% of the global total.
At the same time, two types of emerging robots are opening up new market space.
First is collaborative robots, whose flexibility and ease of deployment led to a 12% year-on-year increase in global installations in 2024, with their penetration rate in industrial robots rising to 12%.
Second, there is strong demand for professional service robots, with global installations reaching 200,000 units, up 9% year-on-year. Notably, applications in transportation and logistics to address labor shortages and promote factory digitization grew especially strongly, with a year-on-year increase of 14%.
Industry Outlook Optimistic, CAGR Could Reach 7%
Driven by current development momentum and emerging applications, the industry remains optimistic about the future. IFR has raised its forecast for global industrial robot installations in 2025-2027 by 4-10% compared to a year ago.
The organization forecasts that from 2025 to 2028, global industrial robot installations will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%, reaching 708,000 units by 2028.
The Asian market will continue to lead growth, with an expected CAGR of 8%, while Europe and the Americas will see rates of 5% and 4%, respectively. As the leader in both Asia and the global market, China’s ongoing growth will be decisive in achieving this optimistic outlook.
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