Growth in all regions and key markets
The new version of the "World Robots" report shows that 553,052 industrial robots will be installed in global factories in 2022, with a year-on-year growth rate of 5%. By region, 73% of newly deployed robots are installed in Asia, 15% in Europe, and 10% in the Americas.
Figure 1 Annual installation volume of industrial robots from 2017 to 2022 and 2023 to 2026
Marina Bill, president of the International Federation of Robotics, said: "For the second consecutive year, the world record of 500,000 units has been exceeded."
Asia, Europe and America
China is by far the world's largest robot market. In 2022, the annual installation volume of robots will reach 290,258 units. This latest increase is impressive and even exceeds the increase in 2021, which is a 57% increase from 2020. In order to serve this dynamic market, robot suppliers from various countries have established production plants in China and continue to increase production capacity. On average, robot installations will grow by 13% each year (2017-2022).
Figure 2 The 15 largest markets for annual installation of industrial robots in 2022
Figure 3 Annual installation volume of industrial robots (10,000 units)
Robot installations in Japan increased by 9% to 50,413 units, exceeding the pre-pandemic level of 49,908 units in 2019. The peak level in 2018 remained at 55,240 units. Japan’s industrial robot market ranks second after China. The annual installation volume will grow by an average of 2% per year (2017-2022). Japan is the world's leading robot manufacturer, accounting for 46% of the global robot production market share.
The Korean market grew by 1%, with 31,716 robot installations in 2022, achieving marginal growth in the second year after four years of declining installations. South Korea remains the world's fourth-largest robot market after the United States, Japan and China.
As of 2022, the EU is still the world's second largest robot market, with an operating inventory of more than 700,000 units. Germany is one of the top five users in the world, accounting for 36% of the market share within the EU. Robot installations in Germany fell by 1% to 25,636 units. Italy follows closely behind, accounting for 16% of the market share within the EU, with robot installations increasing by 8% to 11,475 units. France, the EU's third largest market, accounting for 10% of the EU market share, grew by 13%, with 7,380 units installed in 2022.
After leaving the EU, the number of installed industrial robots in the UK increased by 3% in 2022, reaching 2,534 units. Less than one-tenth of German sales.
Robot installations in the Americas will increase by 8% in 2022, reaching 56,053 units, exceeding the peak level in 2018 (55,212 units). The United States is the largest regional market in the Americas, accounting for 71% of installations in the Americas in 2022. Robot installations increased by 10% to 39,576 units, which is only slightly lower than the peak level of 40,373 units in 2018. The main growth driver is the automotive industry, whose robot installations surged by 47% (14,472 units). The automotive industry's share has now rebounded to 37%, followed by the metal and machinery industry (3,900 units) and the electrical and electronics industry (3,732 units).
The other two major markets were Mexico, where installations increased by 13% (6,000 units); and Canada, where demand fell by 24% (3,223 units). This is an inevitable result of declining demand from the automotive industry, which is the largest audience segment.
Brazil is an important production base for motor vehicles and auto parts - the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) reports that vehicle production will reach 2.4 million vehicles in 2022, which shows the huge potential of automation in the country, but the number of annual installations increases Quite slowly and fluctuates cyclically. In 2022, 1,858 robots will be installed, a year-on-year increase of 4%.
prospect
The year 2023 will be characterized by slower global economic growth. Robot installations in 2023 will not follow this pattern, but there is no sign that the overall long-term growth trend will end anytime soon. It is expected that the global installation volume will reach 600,000 units in 2024.
Image and text source: International Financial Report IFR Press Room, September 26, 2023.
Original title: World Robotics 2023 Report: Asia ahead of Europe and the Americas
