How we count
The counters at the top of every page start from a published figure on a known date, then add the yearly growth rate second by second. They are estimates, not a live census. When a new report lands, we reset the base figure and note it here.
| Counter | Starting figure | Growth a year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humans | 8,300,678,395 on 1 Jul 2026 | 68,866,209 | UN World Population Prospects 2024, via Statistics Times |
| Factory robots at work (estimate) | 5,000,000 on 31 Dec 2025 | 450,000 | IFR World Robotics 2026: about 5 million in operation at end of 2025, stock up 9% a year |
| Humanoid robots (estimate) | 17,000 on 31 Dec 2025 | 43,000 | Our estimate: about 14,400 humanoids shipped in 2025 (CCTV via humanoid.guide) plus about 2,600 earlier; 2026 shipments assumed about 3 times 2025 (Counterpoint: H1 2026 up nearly 300% year on year) |
What counts as a robot here
Factory robots are industrial robots in operation, as counted by the International Federation of Robotics. Humanoid robots are machines with a human-like body sold or delivered to a customer. Robot vacuums, toys and drones are not included.