With a total of 230,600 units, Germany has a 38% share of the total number of industrial robots in operation in Europe. These are the findings of the World Robotics 2021 Report published by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

"Robot density is a very important indicator to understand the differences in the degree of automation in different economies," says Milton Guerry, President of the International Federation of Robotics. Globally, the average robot density has almost doubled over the past five years, rising to 126 units per 10,000 employees in 2020 (2015: 66 units).

Broken down by region, the average robot density in Western Europe is 242 units, in North America 167 and in Asia/Australia 134. The 5 most automated countries worldwide are: South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany and Sweden.

France has a robot density of 194 units (16th place worldwide). This puts Germany's neighbors well above the global average of 126 robots and puts them in a similar position to other EU countries such as Spain (203 units), Austria (205) and the Netherlands (209 units). In contrast, EU members such as Sweden (289 units), Denmark (246 units) and Italy (224 units) achieve a significantly higher level of automation through the use of industrial robots.

The UK is the only G7 country with a robot density of 101 units, which is below the global average (126 units) and puts it in 24th place. However, the trend here is also pointing upwards: Five years ago, the UK's robot density was 71 units. The exodus of foreign workers following Brexit has increased the demand for robots in 2020. This trend is likely to continue in the near future. The modernization of the manufacturing industry is being promoted by the government through a massive tax incentive, the "Super Deduction": From April 2021 to March 2023, companies can claim 130% capital allowance as tax relief for investments in plant and machinery.

From a global perspective, China is developing the most dynamically: due to the very strong installation figures, robot density rose from 49 units in 2015 to 246 in 2020. This puts China in 9th place worldwide - a big leap compared to 25th place just five years ago.