The Fourth Industrial Revolution has greatly increased the adoption of AI-powered robots in industrial production worldwide. This shift has improved manufacturing speed, efficiency, precision and productivity. The World Robotics 2025 report from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) states that about 542,000 new industrial robots were installed globally in 2024.
This figure is more than double what was recorded a decade ago and represents the second-highest annual installation level ever. The IFR expects global installations to grow by another 6.0 per cent in 2025, reaching around 575,000 units. However, the final numbers for global installations in 2025 have yet to be officially published.
China leads the global industrial robotics market. In 2024, the country alone installed around 295,000 new industrial robots, making up 54.4 per cent of all new installations worldwide. This significant growth reflects China's expanding manufacturing sector, strong industrial capacity and ongoing investment in new technologies. The IFR predicts that China will maintain its leading position through 2026.
Other major economies also experienced growth in industrial robot installations. Japan installed 44,500 units, the United States followed with 34,200, South Korea had 30,600, and Germany installed 26,982. Meanwhile, India added 9,100 industrial robots under its Make in India 2.0 initiative, ranking sixth globally.
The IFR's long-term forecast indicates that by 2028, annual global industrial robot installations are expected to exceed 700,000 units, with China making a substantial contribution to this growth. Additionally, China accounted for about 81 per cent of global humanoid robot shipments in 2025, further solidifying its leadership in next-generation robotics and artificial intelligence.
In conclusion, over the past four decades, China has transformed from a modest industrial base into a global high-tech manufacturing powerhouse. This growth comes from consistent investments in education, industrialisation, innovation, scientific research and technology. China's achievements offer valuable lessons and inspiration for many developing countries aiming to enhance their own industrial and technological progress.
Sherazur Rahman
A teacher
Singra, Natore
