China overtakes Germany and Japan in industrial robot density rankings

A robot makes coffee at a booth during the 26th China High-Tech Fair CHTF in Shenzhen Guangdong Province on Nov14 2024 Xinhua-Yonhap — A robot makes coffee at a booth at a fair in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province on Nov. 14, 2024. Xinhua-Yonhap

SEOUL, November 22 (AJP) - China rose to third place globally in industrial robot density, overtaking Germany and Japan last year, according to a report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

While the U.S. landed at 11th globally last year, experts attribute the decline in the US to its intensified tech blockade against China.

Rather than curbing China's progress in advanced technology, the policy has hindered America's own manufacturing revival efforts.

The report showed that China's robot density reached 470 units per 10,000 employees in 2023, up from 402 in 2022. Since entering the global top 10 in 2019, China has doubled its robot density within just four years.

IFR President Takayuki Ito attributed China's success to significant investment in automation technology.

The 2023 rankings were led by South Korea, followed by Singapore. Germany and Japan, which were ahead of China in 2022, ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, in 2023. The global average robot density also hit a record 162 units per 10,000 employees last year.

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com

China overtakes Germany and Japan in industrial robot density rankings

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