China Installs 354,000 Industrial Robots in 2025, Nearly 60% of Global Total

The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) published its World Robotics 2026 report on September 24. It states that China deployed 354,000 industrial robots in 2025, a 20% year-on-year increase that represents 59% of global installations — nearly 60,000 units above the previous annual record. The total marks another record-setting year for the country.

China continues to strengthen its position as the world's largest industrial robot market, with an installed base that dwarfs every other national market tracked by the federation.

IFR President Jane Heffner said China's success in modernizing its industrial system rests on a national robotics strategy launched a decade ago. She added that the updated strategy under China's 15th Five-Year Plan aims to focus AI research on physical applications, casting robotics as an important driver of economic growth.

Demand is led by three sectors: electrical and electronics, automotive, and metal and machinery. Electrical and electronics installed 96,400 industrial robots in 2025, up 16% year on year, accounting for 27% of China's total.

Automotive installed 78,900 units, up 38%, a record high, while metal and machinery grew 44% to 78,700 units. Together, the three industries account for the bulk of China's installations.

The automotive sector's 38% growth merits separate attention. The industry is undergoing an electrification and intelligent-transformation shift, with new production lines being built and old lines retrofitted at the same time, releasing concentrated demand for robots. That pace reflects both capacity expansion and the replacement of legacy equipment.