In terms of robot density, a key metric for assessing the automation level in manufacturing, South Korea leads globally with 1,012 robots for every 10,000 employees, reflecting a 5% increase since 2018, as reported by the IFR.
Following South Korea is Singapore, with China ranking third at 470 robots per 10,000 workers—more than double its density from 2019.
In comparison, Germany has a robot density of 429 per 10,000 employees, maintaining an annual growth rate of 5% since 2018, according to the IFR.
"China has made significant investments in automation technology, placing it third in robot density in 2023, behind South Korea and Singapore, and ahead of Germany and Japan," stated IFR president Takayuki Ito.
Historically, Germany has depended on its industrial sector and exports for economic growth, but it now faces increasing competition from nations like China. The country anticipates economic contraction for the second consecutive year in 2024, positioning it as the weakest performer among the Group of Seven advanced democracies.