The European automotive industry remains fully committed to automation. By 2024, a total of 23,000 industrial robots will have been installed by the sector. This is the highest number in five years.
This is according to figures shared by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). "The European automotive sector is the strongest customer industry for robotics in the region," said Takayuki Ito, president of the International Federation of Robotics. "Automotive manufacturers account for about a third of annual production installations in Europe. In terms of automation activity, the combined number of 23,000 European robot installations in the automotive sector was ahead of the 19,200 units installed in North America by 2024."
Six European countries in top 10
Looking at the automation global automotive sector, it is striking that Europe plays a leading role in this. For instance, the top 10 global countries with the most automated automotive sector include six European countries. Switzerland leads the way with a robot density of 3,876 robots per 10,000 factory employees. Slovenia follows in third position with 1,762 robots, while Germany is sixth with 1,492 units per 10,000 employees.
Other European countries in the global top 10 include Austria (1,412 robots) and Finland (1,288 robots). The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg together as the Benelux rank tenth with 1,132 robots per 10,000 factory workers.
Source: IFR
Other European sectors are also automating strongly
IFR points to the leading role played by the European Union (EU). Not only the European automotive sector, but also other European sectors are betting heavily on automation. The EU accounted for 85% of all regional robot installations by 2024.
Germany is the largest European market in this regard, accounting for 30% of all robot installations in the EU. This places the country among the top 5 markets for robots worldwide. Italy follows with around 10% and Spain with a share of around 6%.
The number of robot installations in the EU has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3% from 2019 to 2024.
