China Acquires 59% of World's New Robots

China reinforced its dominance of the global artificial intelligence robotics market in 2025, accounting for 59% of all new AI robots installed in factories worldwide, significantly outpacing the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Germany. This trend signals the expanding adoption of AI-driven automation in the world’s largest industrial economy.

Data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), presented in its “Global Robotics 2026” report, revealed that factories worldwide welcomed 603,000 new AI robots last year, an 11% year-on-year increase, marking the highest annual figure on record. The global total of operational AI robots reached 5.079 million, reflecting a 9% growth.

China captured the largest share of new installations, adding 354,000 AI robots in 2025, a 20% increase compared to 2024, further widening the gap with its closest competitors. Its share of global installations rose from 54% to 59% within a single year.

Meanwhile, the United States ranked second globally with a share of approximately 6%, as industrial robot installations in the country grew by 12% to around 38,500 units, surpassing Japan, which fell to third place with a 6% share, recording 36,219 installations, a 19% year-on-year decline. South Korea ranked fourth with a 5% share, installing 30,000 new AI robots, a 1% decrease, followed by Germany in fifth place with a 4% share, as its installations dropped by 8% to under 25,000 units during the year.

Together, these five major markets accounted for approximately 80% of new AI robots globally, while the remaining markets made up the other 20%, highlighting the concentration of AI automation investments within key manufacturing economies.

The data also showed the growing role of Chinese robot manufacturers in their domestic market, with their installations reaching 195,000 units in 2025, a 15% increase, capturing 55% of the Chinese market, compared to 57% the previous year.

Looking ahead, the IFR expects continued global expansion in AI automation, with new installations projected to rise by 9% to 655,000 units in 2026, reaching 806,000 by 2029, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence technologies and factories’ needs to enhance productivity and supply chain flexibility.