PUBLISHER: Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence | PRODUCT CODE: 1866346
PUBLISHER: Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence | PRODUCT CODE: 1866346
The global social robots market is projected to grow significantly from USD 5.747 billion in 2025 to USD 20.657 billion by 2030, achieving a robust CAGR of 29.16%. Social robots, designed as companion robots, assist with tasks such as lifting, companionship, and simulating emotions, enhancing daily life across various sectors. Their applications include healthcare, education, retail, entertainment, IT, communication, and households, with healthcare and household sectors expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.
Market Drivers
Healthcare and Caregiving Applications
Social robots are increasingly integral to healthcare, particularly in addressing the needs of aging populations and supporting mental health for individuals with special needs. In healthcare, these robots assist with nursing tasks and cater to patients' emotional well-being. Japan leads in adopting social robots for healthcare, driven by its rapidly aging population, which is projected to constitute 36.7% of the population (aged 65 and above) by 2045, with a declining population rate of 1.4% annually. The limited workforce has spurred demand for robots like Paro, Telenoid, and Ugo, which support nursing and caregiving. South Korea is also emerging as a key market, with forecasts indicating that its aged population will reach 37% by 2045. The preference for automation over immigration in these regions further strengthens market stability.
Rising Automation
The surge in automation across industries is a key driver of the social robots market. The growing adoption of robots in retail and entertainment enhances customer experiences by guiding shoppers and managing inventory. For instance, retail giants in the US have deployed robots like Tally, developed by Simbe Robotics, for efficient inventory management. In IT and communication, social robots address customer queries, improving service delivery. The International Federation of Robotics highlights the global increase in robot adoption, with Asia, particularly Japan, South Korea, and China, leading the market. These countries, alongside the US and Germany, account for a significant share of the global robotics supply, with social robots forming a notable portion.
Geographical Outlook
The Asia Pacific region, particularly Japan and South Korea, is poised to dominate the global social robots market by 2026, driven by extensive adoption in healthcare and education. Japan's investment of USD 100 million in 2018 for nursing robot development underscores its leadership in healthcare robotics. South Korea's focus on automation, with a USD 250 million investment announced in 2020 for healthcare, disaster response, and rehabilitation, further bolsters market growth. North America also holds a significant market share, driven by retail and IT applications. However, concerns about job displacement due to automation pose challenges to market expansion.
The social robots market is on a steep growth trajectory, fueled by the rising demand for automation and the need to address aging populations and specialized care. Japan and South Korea lead in healthcare applications, while retail and IT sectors globally adopt robots for enhanced efficiency. Despite challenges from automation-related job concerns, the market's robust growth prospects make it a critical area for industry focus through 2030.
What do businesses use our reports for?
Industry and Market Insights, Opportunity Assessment, Product Demand Forecasting, Market Entry Strategy, Geographical Expansion, Capital Investment Decisions, Regulatory Framework & Implications, New Product Development, Competitive Intelligence
Social Robots Market Segmentation: