European Union Posts Record Growth in Robotics

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

Summary

The European Union (EU) has posted a new record for the amount of industrial robots in operation as the manufacturing sector boosts investment in industrial automation.

The European Union (EU) had 700,000 operational industrial robots in 2025, setting a new record for the region and accounting for 84% of all robots used in industrial manufacturing in Europe. According to the World Robotics 2026 Report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), while the long term outlook is positive for Europe, its investment is lagging behind Asia and North America. According to Industrial Info Resources data, there are 1,060 European projects across a number of sectors involving industrial robotics that are worth more than US$88 billion in investment. 

Big Change

"The European Union's manufacturing sector has invested significantly in automation: from 2015 to 2025, the number of operational robots in the member states grew by more than 80%, from 390,000 to 712,000 units," said Jane Heffner, president of the International Federation of Robotics. However, in the short term, the EU's market development experienced an 11% contraction in 2025 with total installations falling to 60,500 units. At the same time, Asia installed 457,315 units, up 14% year-over-year, and in the Americas, installations hit 57,044 units, also up by 14%. Over the longer term, European momentum is positive, with a 3% compound annual growth rate from 2020 to 2025.

Germany Leading the Way

Germany is the largest robot market in the EU, according to the IFR, and the fifth-largest globally. Last year it recorded 24,800 industrial robot installations, accounting for 41% of the total EU market. This is mainly due to the country's automotive sector, which drove 23% of total German demand followed by the metal industry with a share of 21%. Italy remained in second place, with a share of 13%, installing 7,800 units. Strong demand was led by a traditionally solid performance in the metal industry with a share of 29%, the main customer of industrial robots. France and Spain shared third place with an EU market share of 7% each. France installed 4,500 industrial robots and continues to invest across automotive, with a national share of 21%, and the metal industry, with a share of 18%. Spain installed 4,300 industrial robots in 2025. The country's automation continues to benefit from its status as Europe's second-largest automotive producer, with a national market share of 43%.

Growth By Sector

The automotive industry remained the EU's largest customer market in 2025, installing 14,900 units and controlling a 25% share of the market. However, its installation rates were down by 25%. The metal industry secured second place and installed 13,000 units but demand was down 13%. The plastics and chemical products industry came third, with 7,400 units installed, which was down 3%, while the food and beverage industry grew 4% as it installed 5,300 units. 

Cloudy Outlook

According to IFR, the OECD expects the macroeconomic situation in the EU to "remain weak until 2027," when it will recover moderately. The EU can only remain internationally competitive if it adopts automation to keep pace with rising production costs and lack of labor, the IFR noted. "This makes Europe an attractive market. Next to established foreign manufacturers from overseas, such as Japan and Korea, Chinese suppliers develop new strategies to enter the EU´s common market - first Chinese suppliers have already established European distribution hubs. Trade restrictions in other key markets like the United States might further fuel this trend."

Key Takeaways

• The European Union (EU) had 700,000 operational industrial robots in 2025, setting a new record.
• Germany is the largest robot market in the EU and the fifth-largest globally.
• Industrial Info Resources is tracking 1,060 European projects across a number of sectors involving industrial robotics that are worth more than US$88 billion in investment. 

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).