Experts say that a unique battle has been unfolding between industrial robots of China and Germany. According to Reuters, citing the annual report of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), China has surpassed Germany in the use of industrial robots.
Robotics development is advancing by leaps and bounds. Current data reveals that South Korea is the global leader in this area, with 1,012 robots per 10,000 workers in manufacturing. This figure is 5% higher than in 2018 and serves as a key indicator for analysts comparing automation levels in global manufacturing industries.
Next on the IFR list is Singapore, followed by China, with 470 robots per 10,000 workers. This figure in China has more than doubled since 2019. Meanwhile, Germany, the largest economy in the eurozone, lags significantly with 429 robots per 10,000 employees, though it has seen an annual 5% increase since 2018.
Chinese authorities have prioritized manufacturing automation, investing lavishly in these technologies. In 2023, China ranked third globally in robot density, trailing South Korea and Singapore but overtaking Germany and Japan, IFR President Takayuki Ito sums up.
Previously, German authorities relied on their industrial power and exports to drive economic growth. However, resting on its laurels has backfired for Germany, which now faces fierce competition from countries like China. As a result, experts predict a contraction in Germany's economy by the end of 2024, marking the second consecutive year of decline.