The global robotics market is growing fast. In 2026, it is estimated at 73.6 billion dollars, and by 2030 it could reach 185 billion. According to the International Federation of Robotics, industrial robot sales hit 16.7 billion dollars in 2025. But today the story is much bigger than factory machines. It includes service robots, software, and AI systems.
Robots are no longer just fixed automation tools. They are becoming self-learning systems that can make decisions. Smart factories connect machines to digital platforms and optimize production on their own. In logistics and healthcare, drones, autonomous carts, and surgical systems are becoming common. Service robots are expanding too – cleaning, maintenance, elderly care. Sustainability is moving to the front. Robots are used in precision farming, waste reduction, and energy-efficient production.
Who is ahead
South Korea and Singapore have more than 1,000 robots per 10,000 workers. China, Germany, Japan, and the United States range between 670 and 850. In Central Asia, the density is below 50. This gap matters. Technological strength turns directly into economic power.
AI has changed what robots are
Artificial intelligence is turning robots from simple machines into smart assistants. They help in hospitals, warehouses, and homes. They clean, support medical teams, and handle routine tasks. Even this text was written with the help of AI. We are not waiting for the future – we are already living in it.
In 2024, 542,000 industrial robots were installed worldwide. Asia accounted for 74 percent of new installations, Europe 16%, and the Americas 9%. The total robotics market could grow from 88 billion dollars in 2026 to 218 billion by 2031. That is close to 20 percent annual growth.
Where robots are used most
Electronics and semiconductors. Taiwan and South Korea lead. Robots ensure extreme precision and clean conditions in chip production.
Automotive industry. Germany, Japan, and the United States rely heavily on robots for large-scale vehicle assembly.
Aerospace. In the United States, robots help assemble aircraft and spacecraft with high accuracy.
Pharmaceuticals and biotech. In Europe, robots handle dosing and packaging where sterility and precision are critical.
Construction. China is testing robots that can 3D print buildings in days.
Hospitality and services. In Japan and Singapore, robot waiters and receptionists are already part of hotels.
Agriculture. Drones monitor fields, apply fertilizers with precision, and support automated milking systems.
Environment and sustainability. Robots sort waste, monitor air and water quality, and reduce resource use.
The pattern is clear. Electronics and automotive remain the largest users, while pharma, construction, and services are growing fast.
Central Asia – still at the starting line
More than 60 percent of global manufacturers plan to increase investment in robotics over the next three years. In Europe and Asia, about 70 percent of companies link robotics to higher competitiveness and less dependence on labor shortages. In Kazakhstan and neighboring countries, progress is slower. Most projects are still pilots. But interest is real. Many industrial leaders say they are ready to move forward.
The main barriers are simple:
- high equipment costs
- shortage of skilled workers
- weak AI integration
At the same time, this gap creates opportunity. The region can adopt the newest technologies directly, without going through outdated stages.
How to accelerate robotics
Global experience shows a clear link. Countries with higher robot density tend to have stronger economies. Automation reduces reliance on manual labor, speeds up innovation, and strengthens export capacity. For Kazakhstan and its neighbors, the lesson is straightforward. Robotics must move beyond pilot projects and become a strategic priority.
Governments should:
- provide grants and affordable financing
- offer tax incentives
- invest in workforce training
- connect science with industry
Kazakhstan – a practical target
Today Kazakhstan has around 10 robots per 10,000 workers. The national development plan aims to increase labor productivity by 41.8 percent by 2029 compared to 2022.
International data suggests that every additional 100 robots per 10,000 workers can raise productivity by 5 to 7 percent. To meet its target, Kazakhstan would need to reach at least 80 to 100 robots per 10,000 workers. The country also faces a labor shortage of about 40 to 50 thousand positions. On average, one industrial robot can replace the workload of three to five full-time employees. Reaching 70 robots per 10,000 workers would be a turning point.
At that level:
- labor shortages could be eased
- production output would increase
- costs would decline
By 2030, this could add 15 to 20 billion dollars to the economy, around 6 to 8 percent of GDP. The social impact matters too. Lower-skilled jobs could decline by about 30 percent. Demand for engineers and programmers could grow by 20 to 25 thousand specialists. Wages in high-tech sectors could rise by 20 to 30 percent.
Automation does not automatically mean mass layoffs. But it does change skill requirements. The bigger risk is doing nothing – losing competitiveness and markets.
Seventy robots per 10,000 workers is not just a statistic. It is a threshold for modernizing industry, diversifying the economy, and strengthening resilience. The real question is simple. Will the region watch the technological shift from the sidelines, or become part of it.
Marat Idrisov, independent expert, specifically for www.economyKZ.org
