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Tracking the Rise of Robots: The IFR Database

Author

Listed:
  • Jurkat Anne

    (Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Klump Rainer

    (Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Schneider Florian

    (Goethe University Frankfurt and VDMA, Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

Abstract

We present and analyze the dataset on the international distribution of industrial robots by country, industry, and application provided by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) since 1993. After describing the IFR we point out specificities and limitations of its dataset. We explain the process of data collection, develop a correspondence table between the IFR industry classification and the ISIC rev. 4 industry classification, and clarify the applied compliance rules. We further compute average implicit depreciation rates inherent to the robot stocks in the IFR dataset in the range of 4–7% per year between 1993 and 2019. We also find that the share of industrial robots that are not classified to any industry or application has sharply declined since 2005.

Suggested Citation

  • Jurkat Anne & Klump Rainer & Schneider Florian, 2022. "Tracking the Rise of Robots: The IFR Database," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 242(5-6), pages 669-689, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:jns:jbstat:v:242:y:2022:i:5-6:p:669-689:n:3
    DOI: 10.1515/jbnst-2021-0059
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yinan Liu & Zou Wang & Xiaoxuan Jin & Angdi Lu, 2026. "Beyond Wealth: The Impact of Robot Adoption on Chronic Diseases," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(2), pages 145-174, February.
    2. Prettner, Klaus, 2023. "Stagnant wages in the face of rising labor productivity: The potential role of industrial robots," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PD).
    3. Kim, Taehoon & Jung, Hoyong, 2026. "Industrial robotisation and local taxes: Evidence from South Korea," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    4. Martin Lábaj & Tomáš Oleš & Gabriel Procházka, 2025. "Impact of robots and artificial intelligence on labor and skill demand: evidence from the UK," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 15(4), pages 953-1001, December.
    5. Hoda Mohamed, 2025. "Moving Backward or Forward? Robots and Value Capture in the Automotive Global Value Chains," Jena Economics Research Papers 2025-005, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    6. Zhang, Jingting & Shi, Zhiru, 2025. "Suppress or let go? The time-varying roles of automation towards labor market," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 158-174.
    7. Bloom, David E. & Prettner, Klaus & Saadaoui, Jamel & Veruete, Mario, 2025. "Artificial intelligence and the skill premium," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    8. Nikolova, Milena & Cnossen, Femke & Nikolaev, Boris, 2024. "Robots, meaning, and self-determination," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(5).
    9. Franco, Chiara & Suppressa, Francesco, 2025. "Robot, trade and employment: Unravelling the relationship within the European context," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 407-422.
    10. Jurkat, Anne & Klump, Rainer & Schneider, Florian, 2025. "Robots and wages: A meta-analysis," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 541-567.
    11. Włoch, Renata & Śledziewska, Katarzyna & Rożynek, Satia, 2025. "Who's afraid of automation? Examining determinants of fear of automation in six European countries," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    12. Florencia Jaccoud, 2025. "Robots & AI exposure and wage inequality: a within occupation approach," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 15(4), pages 1035-1090, December.
    13. Giorgio Brunello & Désirée Rückert & Christoph T. Weiss & Patricia Wruuck, 2024. "Advanced Digital Technologies and Investment in Employee Training," "Marco Fanno" Working Papers 0315, Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche "Marco Fanno".
    14. Saam, Marianne & Jurkat, Anne & Krautheim, Sebastian & Pilz, Lars & Plagens, Manfred & Skala, Martin, 2025. "Wachstum und wirtschaftliche Entwicklung: Festschrift zu Ehren von Rainer Klump," EconStor Books, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, number 324883 edited by Saam, Marianne.
    15. Kunkel, S. & Neuhäusler, P. & Matthess, M. & Dachrodt, M.F., 2023. "Industry 4.0 and energy in manufacturing sectors in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    16. Bucci, Alberto & Prettner, Klaus & Saadaoui, Jamel, 2025. "Robotic versus traditional capital complementarity and economic growth in the era of full automation," Department of Economics Working Paper Series 391, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.
    17. Joachim Wagner, 2024. "Data Observer—a guide to data that can help to inform evidence-based policymaking," AStA Wirtschafts- und Sozialstatistisches Archiv, Springer;Deutsche Statistische Gesellschaft - German Statistical Society, vol. 18(2), pages 279-287, June.
    18. Sebastian, Raquel & Salas-Rojo, Pedro & C. Palomino, Juan & G. Rodríguez, Juan, 2026. "New technologies and the rise of wage inequality," INET Oxford Working Papers 2026-04, Institute for New Economic Thinking at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts

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