China Surpasses Germany in Industrial Robotics

China has surpassed Germany in industrial robot usage, achieving a robot density of 470 robots per 10,000 workers, more than double its figure from 2019, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). South Korea remains the global leader with 1,012 robots per 10,000 employees, followed by Singapore. Germany's robot density stands at 429 per 10,000 workers, growing at a steady 5% annually since 2018, but the country now faces increasing competition from China and is projected to experience economic contraction for the second consecutive year in 2024. This shift highlights China's significant investments in automation technology, reflecting its strategic goal to enhance manufacturing capabilities and reduce foreign dependency. Germany, historically reliant on its strong industrial base, struggles with economic challenges, including high energy costs and demographic pressures. As the competition intensifies, experts suggest that Germany must innovate and address structural issues to regain its competitive edge in global manufacturing.