WSTS expects semiconductor market to surpass $300 billion in 2011 for first time in history

USA: The worldwide semiconductor market is projected to reach $302 billion for 2011, followed by a healthier 2.6 percent growth in 2012 and 5.8 percent growth to top $328 billion in 2013.

The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) expects the worldwide market to surpass US$300 billion by end of 2011 for the first time in semiconductor history, yet reflects a less-than-average growth of 1.3 percent over the previous banner-year 2010.

In 2011, the semiconductor industry had to weather the slowdown of world economies from financial turmoil due to European debts concerns, clear declines of industrial and consumer confidence, as well as the supply chain disruptions by the earthquake disaster in Japan and recent flooding in Thailand.

For product category, an oversupply in PC/NB DRAM results in a sharp decline in memory revenue, though the overall market is offset by healthy growth in microcontroller ICs, sensors and discrete semiconductor segments. The total revenue in 2011 is projected to be $302 billion.

Looking forward, WSTS forecasts the worldwide semiconductor market will grow by a healthier 2.6 percent to $310 billion in 2012 followed by 5.8 percent growth to top $328 billion in 2013.

Source: WSTS, USA.