China accounted for nearly three out of every five industrial robots installed worldwide last year, showing the country's accelerating automation of manufacturing while positioning robotics and artificial intelligence at the center of its industrial strategy.
China installed a record 354,000 industrial robots in 2025, equivalent to 59 percent of global installations, according to the World Robotics 2026 report released on Thursday by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). The figure further cements the country's position as the world's largest industrial robot market.
The milestone comes as the country deepens its focus on advanced manufacturing under its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), which identifies physical AI and robotics as key engines of future economic growth.
"China's success in modernizing its industrial system is based on its national robotics strategy, which was initiated ten years ago," IFR President Jane Heffner said in a statement. The latest policy update aims to channel AI research toward real-world industrial applications, with robots expected to become a major driver of economic growth, she said.
The figures highlight how China continues to automate its factories. Electronics manufacturers remained the largest buyers of industrial robots, installing 96,400 units in 2025, up 16 percent from a year earlier and accounting for 27 percent of total demand.
The automotive industry, one of China's key customer segments, recorded the fastest expansion among major industries, with installations rising 38 percent to 78,900 units, reflecting continued investment in electric vehicle production and smart manufacturing.
Demand from the metal and machinery industry also surged, climbing 44 percent to 78,700 units.
Beyond these traditional manufacturing sectors, however, the expansion of robot adoption across the country's broader industrial base showed mixed results.
Robot installations in the food and beverage industry fell 37 percent in 2025 after an exceptional 86 percent surge a year earlier.
The paper and paper products industry maintained steady momentum, with installations rising 15 percent following several years of rapid expansion.
The country's domestic robot makers have continued to strengthen their competitive position.
Installations supplied by Chinese manufacturers rose 15 percent year-on-year in 2025, accounting for 55 percent of the domestic market.
Since 2024, Chinese brands have supplied more than half of all industrial robots installed in the country, reflecting China's longstanding efforts to build self-sufficiency in advanced manufacturing equipment.
Foreign suppliers also expanded sales, with installations of imported robots increasing 27 percent year-on-year in 2025, indicating that international manufacturers continue to benefit from robust demand in high-end industrial applications.
The federation cited demographic pressures and an aging population as factors that encourage manufacturers to automate production to improve resilience and productivity.
At the same time, government policy is expected to reinforce the trend. Under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), China is prioritizing technological self-reliance, upgrading traditional industries and developing intelligent robotics powered by physical AI.
The report said the Chinese robotics industry is moving toward becoming an innovator in physical AI and a developer of intelligent industrial robotics.
Looking ahead, the IFR expects China's industrial robot market to continue growing at an average annual rate of 5 percent to 10 percent through 2029.
Editor：Zhou Jinmiao
