Industrial robots market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for industrial robots in Germany declined from 28 501 units in 2018 to 4 303 units in 2024, an 85% drop over the period. Initially, automation trends and the adoption of collaborative robots supported demand, but domestic consumption fell despite global growth in automotive robotics and the push for efficiency through Industry 4.0. German robot production fluctuated, peaking in 2021, but a large share of output was exported, reducing domestic availability.

In 2022, production hit a record level of 36 851 units, fueled by technological advances such as new robot models with higher precision and demand linked to vehicle electrification. However, market volume plummeted to 9 614 units as exports surged. By 2023 and 2024, economic uncertainty and global supply chain issues dampened investment readiness in Germany, leading to a further contraction in domestic installations, with the VDMA industry association noting a challenging market environment.

Throughout the period, the automotive industry remained the dominant end-user, while regulatory and policy changes promoting Industry 4.0, along with AI integration in robotics, continued to drive innovation. These factors, however, did not offset the market's decline, which was shaped by production geared toward export and adverse economic conditions in the latter years.

Production industrial robots in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's industrial robot production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 039 million US dollars, down 18.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 368 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

Germany's industrial robot production volume has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 30 035 units were produced, a 3.2% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production declined by 15.9%, averaging a 5.6% annual decrease. The highest volume was in 2018 with 37 694 units. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 17.7%, while 2018 saw the biggest increase of 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, unit

Exports industrial robots from Germany

Exports in kind, unit

Germany's industrial robot exports have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2020, 27 012 units were exported, a slight decrease of 2.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 21.1%, with an annualized rate of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, unit

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's industrial robot exports in kind were relatively evenly distributed. The United States accounted for 15.8% of exports, China for 14.5%, and Italy for 7.4%, together making up 37.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's industrial robot exports in value terms have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 625.9 million US dollars, a moderate fall of 10.0% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 28.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's industrial robot exports in value terms were scattered across countries. The United States represented 15.7% of exports, China 14.6%, and Italy 7.4%, collectively accounting for 37.7% of total flows, with no single partner dominating.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports industrial robots to Germany

Imports in kind, unit

Germany's industrial robot imports in kind have declined for the second year running. In 2020, 15 665 units were imported, a small loss of 1.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13.8%, averaging a 4.8% annual decline. The peak was in 2018 with 19 223 units. The largest drop was in 2019 at 17.2%, while 2018 saw the biggest increase of 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, unit

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Germany's industrial robot imports in kind were Japan, with 25.1% of imports, Sweden at 22.4%, and France at 10.0%, together comprising 57.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's industrial robot imports in value terms have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 378.1 million US dollars, a moderate decline of 8.4% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports fell by 21.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 513.5 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 19.7%, while 2018 had the biggest increase of 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading sources for Germany's industrial robot imports in value terms were Japan, accounting for 25.3% of imports, Sweden at 22.4%, and France at 10.0%, which together made up 57.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020