In 2023, over the world was installed 540 thousand industrial robots, of which more than half fell on Asian countries – results from the report “Support for the robotization process in Poland. Recommendations” published by the Polish Economic Institute. Five main industrial robotics markets, i.e. ChinaJapan, USA, South Korea and Germany, responsible for almost 80 percent. all new robots.
55,888 robots have been installed in the European Union, which gives an average density of robotization at the level 167 robots per 10,000 employees in the industrial processing sector. The highest indicator was recorded in Sweden – 293 works per 10,000 employees.
And how does Poland fall on this background? Worse than average. With a result of 61 robots per 10,000 employees We are not only below the EU average, but also far behind countries from our region, such as the Czech Republic (180 robots per 10,000 employees) and Hungary (117). As Pie notes, in 2023 in Poland 2,203 industrial works were installedand the automotive industry has the largest share in robotization (31 percent of all robots in industrial processing).
In Hungary and the Czech Republic, this share oscillates around 50 percent, and in Slovakia this share exceeds 70 percent. At the same time, the density of robotization in Poland in the automotive sector is the lowest among the four countries of the Visegrad Group
– notes Filip Leśniewicz, a senior analyst from the Digital Economy Team in Pie.
In Poland, larger companies invest in industrial works, although even in their case data is not particularly impressive. As Pie notes, in 2024 Only 18 percent large enterprises, So those that employ over 250 employees used industrial works in their activities. In turn, in micro, small and medium percentage companies did not exceed even 4 percent.
Why do we need robots? Demography is ruthless
Poland is facing the challenges related to the aging society and the decreasing number of people of working age. According to the CSO data, it shows that The fertility situation is the worst since the beginning of the measurements. In about 70-80 percent of cities and at about 80 percent Poland's area is falling.
According to PIE analyzes by 2035, the number of working people will decrease by 2.1 million. In nominal terms, it will affect the industrial industry (sections from B to E Polish Activities) most, which will lose 400 thousand. employees
– we read in the Pie report.
Robotization It can partially compensate for labor deficiencies, while increasing the productivity and efficiency of enterprises. In addition, process automation can relieve employees from the most burdensome and monotonous tasks and improve the quality of work and safety.
Employees performing repetitive, monotonous and physically demanding tasks are exposed to greater risk of burnout, and long -term performance of such activities can lead to loss of motivation, cause stress and health problems. Thanks to automation, these tasks can be taken over by machines, which not only improves performance, but also contributes to the improvement of employees
As Pie emphasizes, in Poland The key tool supporting robotization is the tax relief in force in 2022–2026which allows companies to deduct 50 percent from the tax base cost incurred for investments in robots and related technologies. However, there is still a lack of a comprehensive and coherent robotization strategy, which hinders the coordination of activities and assignment of funds.
Supporting robotization in Poland should be implemented in a multidimensional way – so as not only to strengthen the competitiveness of the economy, but also to counteract social polarization, build domestic technological competences and increase resistance to crises. Lack of this approach may deepen the dependence on foreign corporations, increase social inequalities and weaken the technological and economic security of the country
– explains Filip Leśniewicz, a senior analyst from the digital economy team in Pie. Apart from developing and implementing the National Robotization Strategy With clearly defined goals and progress measures, Pie recommends, among others:
- appointment of a robotization coordinator at the government level, responsible for coordinating inter -ministerial activities;
- simplification of administrative procedures related to investments in robotization;
- introduction of grant programs and preferential loans for investments in robotization;
- extension of the relief to robotization;
- Creation of regional competence centers in the field of robotization, offering consultancy and training for companies.
Will the robots take our jobs? Not necessarily
Effective robotization cannot, however, take place at the expense of the employee. For years, Poles are frightened by a vision of a future in which artificial intelligence and robots will deprive their work. Only a few years ago, researchers from the University of Oxford said that by 2030 technology would eliminate almost half of the currently existing competitions. And although newer forecasts are slightly less ominous, many people are afraid that in the closer or further future their tasks will take over the robots.
Therefore, in their analysis, researchers from the Polish Economic Institute emphasize that a comprehensive robotization strategy for our country must also include such elements as:
- adapting educational programs to the needs of the labor market in the context of robotization;
- Support for employees in the process retraining and raising digital competences;
- Information campaigns increasing social awareness on the benefits of robotization.
Limiting the purpose of the robotization process only to accelerate it can have more negative than positive effects. It seems particularly important here to emphasize the reduction of work in the added value and weakening the position of employees, which could lead to an increase in social polarization and political radical radicalization. The long -term horizon of strategic planning would also allow the robotization to be entered in long -term public policy
– concludes the Pie report.