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ustrial policy also drives robot adoption in
China. As a strategically important sector, the
government aims to increase its global market
share of high-end robotics to 45%. The "Made
in China 2025" program set production goals of
100,000 industrial robots, with a density of 150
robots per 10,000 workers, by 2020. Of the four
publicly listed robotic firms, 40% of net profits are
derived from government subsidies.
In 2016 China led major countries in stock of
operational robots
China's surge in robot adoption corresponds to its declining working-age population
The threat of job replacement, however, is apparently
not a high-priority concern for the government and its
citizens. Policies are more motivated by the challenges
of labor shortages and rising wages, as well as the
imperative to lead a new wave of industrial revolution.
Based on these trends, our analysis suggests the use and
production of robots will continue to rise in China in
response to both market factors and government policies.
2019 installation of industrial robots (1,000s)
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