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According to data from the International Federation of Robotics: In 2022, nearly 72,000 industrial robots were installed across the 27 EU member states, representing a 6% year-on-year increase. The five countries with the highest industrial robot installations in the EU are Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and Poland, accounting for approximately 70% of all industrial robots installed in the EU in 2022.
Germany is by far Europe's largest robotics market: approximately 26,000 units were installed in 2022 (+3%). This accounts for 37% of total EU installations. Globally, the country ranks fourth in robot density, behind Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.
Traditionally, the automotive industry has been Germany's main customer for industrial robots. In 2022, 27% of newly deployed robots were installed in this sector. This represented 7,100 units, a decline of 22% compared to the previous year—this is known cyclical investment behavior in this field. In general industry, the main customer was the metal industry, which installed 4,200 units (+20%) in 2022. This exceeded pre-pandemic levels, fluctuating around 3,500 units annually before the pandemic, with a peak of 3,700 units in 2019. Installations in the plastics and chemical products sector recovered to pre-pandemic levels, increasing by 7% in 2022 to reach 2,200 units.
Italy is Europe's second-largest robotics market after Germany. Nearly 12,000 units were installed in 2022 (+10%), setting a new record. This accounts for 16% of total EU installations.
The country has a strong metal and machinery industry: sales reached 3,700 units in 2022, growing 18% from the previous year. Robot sales in the plastics and chemical products industry grew 42%, installing 1,400 units. The country also has a strong food and beverage industry. Installations grew 9%, reaching 1,400 units in 2022. Automotive industry demand declined 22% to 900 units. This subsector is dominated by Stellantis Group, formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler and French PSA.
In 2022, France ranked third in Europe's robotics market. Annual installations grew 15%, reaching a total of 7,400 units. This is still less than one-third of neighboring Germany's total. The main customer was the metal industry, with a 22% market share. This subsector installed 1,600 units, growing 23%. The automotive industry grew 19%, reaching 1,600 units. This represented 21% of market share. France's €100 billion smart factory equipment investment stimulus program, effective from mid-2021, will create new demand for industrial robots in the coming years.
Spain's annual installations grew 12%, reaching a total of 3,800 units. Robot installations have traditionally been determined by the automotive industry. According to data from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), Spain is Europe's second-largest car producer after Germany. The Spanish automotive industry installed 900 units, growing 5%. Metal industry sales grew 20%, reaching 900 units. In 2022, automotive and metal industries together accounted for almost 50% of robot installations.
For nine years, Poland's robot installations have been on an upward trajectory. In 2022, annual installations reached 3,100 units, which was the second-best result after the new peak of 3,500 units in 2021. In 2022, demand from the metal and machinery industry grew 17%, reaching 600 units. The automotive industry showed cyclical demand, installing 500 units, declining 37%.
