Forrester has published a new forecast on global manufacturing technology spending, with Asia Pacific leading the shift to software-defined manufacturing and automation.
Global manufacturing technology spending is forecast to rise 41%, from USD $485.7 billion in 2024 to USD $683.6 billion in 2030. Within that total, commercial software spending is projected to increase 73%, from USD $110.0 billion to USD $190.5 billion, while industrial AI software spending is expected to more than triple, from about USD $908 million to USD $3.25 billion.
The figures point to a broader shift in how manufacturers are allocating capital as labour pressures and geopolitical strains reshape production models. Forrester identifies demographic change, workforce shortages, and economic fragmentation as key drivers of higher spending on robotics, industrial AI, smart factories, and digital manufacturing platforms.
Across Asia Pacific, manufacturers are increasing their use of software and automation in pursuit of productivity gains, more resilient operations, and a move into higher-value production. The region accounted for 74% of new industrial robot deployments in 2024, with China holding more than half of the global installed robotics base.
This concentration places Asia Pacific at the centre of the shift towards more automated factory systems. It also reflects a change in competition, away from lower-cost labour and towards production models that rely more heavily on data, automation, and digital tools.
China is expected to record one of the largest increases in spending. 3%.
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