South Korea has emerged as the global leader in industrial robot adoption, replacing over 10% of its workforce with robotics. According to the World Robotics 2024 report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), South Korea now boasts an impressive 1,012 robots per 10,000 employees. This figure is more than double that of most other countries in the report, with the exception of Singapore, which has 770 robots per 10,000 employees.
The report highlights South Korea’s consistent annual growth of 5% in robot density since 2018. This rapid adoption is driven by the nation’s robust electronics and automotive industries, which are the largest consumers of industrial robots. Additionally, the South Korean government has been proactive in promoting automation, making significant investments in robotics through initiatives such as the Fourth Intelligent Robot Basic Plan. This programme aims to increase the domestic manufacturing rate of core robot components from 44% to 80% by 2030.
Singapore, China, and Japan follow South Korea in the top five countries for industrial robot adoption. China has made remarkable progress, doubling its robot density in just four years to rank third globally with 470 robots per 10,000 employees. Germany and Japan complete the top five, with 429 and 419 robots per 10,000 employees, respectively.
The rise of robotics in South Korea is not confined to industrial sectors. Robots are increasingly being utilised in healthcare, hospitality, logistics, and even agriculture. This widespread adoption addresses demographic challenges, particularly the nation’s shrinking working-age population due to low birth rates. By embracing robotics, South Korea aims to sustain productivity and tackle labour shortages across industries.
As nations worldwide grapple with the implications of automation, South Korea’s approach serves as both a model and a cautionary tale. The increasing use of robots underscores the urgent need for workforce adaptation, reskilling initiatives, and policy planning to navigate the evolving employment landscape.
