China to Deploy 24 Million Humanoid Robots by 2035 to Offset Labor Shortfall, Barclays Says

China’s aging population and shrinking workforce are worsening labor shortages across manufacturing, logistics and services. Barclays research suggests humanoid robots could take on repetitive and high-risk work. As automation expands, the focus of global economic competition is also set to shift from demographic dividends to control over the energy, critical minerals and supply chains needed to keep machines operating.

Barclays’ latest report estimates that China will deploy about 24 million humanoid robots in the labor market by 2035 to fill a widening workforce gap. The report said China could further consolidate its competitive advantage in global industry through its capacity for mass robot production, the scale of its deployments and its control over energy and critical-mineral supply chains.