Germany has confirmed its status as Europe’s number one market for industrial automation.
According to the World Robotics 2025 Report by the International Federation of Robotics, the country operated 278,900 robots in 2024 – accounting for 40 percent of all units across the EU-27. T
hat marks a four percent increase compared with the previous year.
In terms of new installations, German companies added 27,000 robots in 2024, the second-highest figure ever recorded.
Although slightly below the record set the previous year, the average annual growth rate between 2019 and 2024 stood at four percent, underscoring the steady upward trend.
Global comparison and sectoral shifts
Germany ranks fifth worldwide for annual robot installations, behind China, Japan, the United States and South Korea.
While overall figures remain robust, the country’s automotive sector – long considered a backbone of robot adoption – posted its weakest results in 15 years.
Installations in the automotive industry fell by 25 percent to just 6,900 units. Car manufacturers installed 4,300 robots (down 15 percent), while suppliers added only 2,700 (down 34 percent).
Analysts link the sharp decline to weaker-than-expected demand for electric vehicles and political uncertainties, both domestic and global.
The auto sector’s share of total installations dropped to 26 percent.
Other industries gain ground
By contrast, the metalworking industry registered its best-ever year, installing 6,000 units – up 23 percent year-on-year.
The chemical and plastics sector surged by 71 percent to 3,100 units, while electronics and electrical engineering grew 18 percent to 2,100 installations.
Germany’s production of industrial robots stood at 31,200 units in 2024, around ten percent lower than the previous year.
Domestic manufacturers maintained a six percent share of global demand. Meanwhile, new market entrants are expanding the range of locally produced, cost-effective robots.
Outlook: Cautious optimism
The German robotics industry faces a challenging 2025, according to the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association.
However, the recent EU–US trade and customs agreement signed in July 2025 has removed a major source of uncertainty.
Combined with expectations of new industrial policies under Germany’s incoming government, experts anticipate a rebound from 2026 onwards.
While opinions differ on how quickly growth will return, most analysts forecast stronger expansion by 2027 or 2028, driven by rising demand across multiple industrial sectors.
