Executive Summary
The European robotics sector has experienced significant growth, with industrial robot installations reaching approximately 72,000 units in 2022, marking a 6% increase from the previous year.
Germany, Italy, and France lead in adoption, collectively accounting for approximately 70% of these installations. The European Commission is set to release an EU-wide robotics strategy in 2025, aiming to harmonise and bolster the continent’s AI-powered robotics initiatives.
While Europe’s position is strong, the continent faces increasing pressure from global competitors, highlighting the need for strategic investment and innovation.
Key Takeaways
- Germany installed approximately 26,000 industrial robots in 2022, representing 37% of total EU installations.
- Europe must accelerate its efforts to maintain global relevance, as competitors such as China have already surpassed Germany in robot density, highlighting a shifting balance in industrial automation leadership.
- The European Commission plans to introduce a comprehensive robotics strategy in 2025 to unify AI-powered robotics efforts across member states.
- Europe has the fastest-growing robotics industry, which is expected to grow by 68% and reach a value of $28.8 billion by 2029, outpacing North America and Asia.
Background information
Europe’s industrial sector has been progressively integrating robotics to enhance productivity, precision, and competitiveness. Sectors like metalworking, plastics, and chemicals has joined the automotive industry, traditionally a significant adopter in embracing automation.
In 2022, the EU’s 27 member states collectively installed nearly 72,000 industrial robots, a 6% increase from the previous year, underscoring the region’s commitment to automation.
Germany stands at the forefront, with approximately 26,000 units installed in 2022, accounting for 37% of the EU’s total installations. Italy and France follow, with 12,000 and 7,400 units installed, respectively. These three countries collectively represent approximately 70% of all industrial robot installations within the EU in 2022.
Robotics in Europe: Analysis
Despite Europe’s determined progress, the global robotics landscape is highly competitive, and maintaining leadership will require sustained effort. Nonetheless, the above-mentioned figures confirm the EU as a significant world player.
What makes Europe’s position even more promising is the projected growth trajectory of its robotics industry. Sector analysis projects that Europe will experience the fastest global growth, with the industry expanding by 68% and reaching a market value of $28.8 billion by 2029.
This forecast surpasses the projected growth rates of both North America and Asia, underlining Europe’s potential to assert stronger economic leadership in this strategic sector. The rapid expansion reflects not only increased demand across various industrial applications but also the effectiveness of EU policies and research initiatives in driving innovation.
However, other regions are advancing rapidly. China, for instance, has overtaken Germany in terms of industrial robot density, now ranking third globally with 470 robots per 10,000 workers, compared to Germany’s 429. South Korea remains the world leader, with an impressive density of 1,012 robots per 10,000 employees.
As these competitors scale up their automation capabilities, Europe must not only consolidate its internal strategies and investment streams but also focus on accelerating deployment, fostering innovation, and translating its regulatory vision into agile, real-world solutions.
Without such efforts, the EU risks ceding ground in a sector that is increasingly central to global industrial and technological power. Additionally, EU programs like Horizon Europe and the upcoming AI Act provide both financial and regulatory support to ensure responsible and competitive robotics development.
Conclusion
Europe’s robotics sector is undergoing significant growth, driven by diverse industry adoption, substantial investments in research and innovation, and the development of comprehensive regulatory frameworks.
The forthcoming EU-wide robotics strategy, slated for early 2025, aims to harmonise efforts across member states, ensuring that Europe maintains its competitive edge in the global robotics landscape.
However, with countries like China rapidly advancing in automation, Europe must continue to innovate and adapt to uphold its position as a leader in industrial robotics. Moreover, the growth of robotics impacts sectors beyond industry, including defence, surveillance, and border control; innovation in these areas requires a balance with ethical considerations.
Author: Matteo Meloni
On 25-27 March 2025, SpecialEurasia attended the European Robotics Forum 2025 in Stuttgart where our team discovered new trends and assess the value of the market.
Contact us at [email protected] for tailored reports or consulting regarding the geopolitics and economic trends of robotics and AI.
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