Semiconductor Market Size, Share, and Trends

The global semiconductor market size was valued at USD 544.78 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach around USD 1,137.57 billion by 2033, poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.64% during the forecast period 2024 to 2033.

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Semiconductor Market Key Takeaway

• Asia Pacific region has contributed 52.8% market share in 2023.
• By application, the network and communication segment held a 29.2% revenue share in 2023.
• By component, the memory devices segment captured the biggest revenue share of 23% in 2023.

Semiconductor Sales Predicted to Rebound Strongly in 2024

The notoriously cyclical semiconductor industry faced a turbulent 2023, marking its seventh downturn since 1990, with sales projected to dip by 9.4% to US$520 billion. However, this figure surpasses the gloomier expectations from earlier in the year, thanks to unexpectedly robust performances in the second and third quarters. Initially, forecasts pegged 2023 sales at a mere US$515 billion. Looking ahead, 2024 promises a remarkable recovery, with global sales projected to soar to US$588 billion. This would not only represent a 13% improvement over 2023 but also surpass 2022's record-breaking revenues of US$574 billion by 2.5%. The semiconductor sector is poised for a significant upswing, demonstrating its resilience and potential for growth.

Technological advancements such as blockchain and AI are also being explored to enhance supply chain transparency and efficiency. These technologies can provide real-time insights into supply chain operations, helping companies to anticipate and respond to disruptions more effectively.

Two critical indicators of the semiconductor industry's health are inventory levels and fab utilization rates. As of autumn 2023, inventories have stayed elevated at over $60 billion, maintaining the same level as the previous year. This surplus is expected to pose a significant challenge for sales in the first half of 2024 as the industry works to deplete these stocks. Moreover, fab utilization, which was robust during the recent shortage (hovering around 95%), is anticipated to drop to below 70% by the end of 2023. For the industry to regain profitability, a substantial increase in utilization rates will be necessary, a process that may take some time.

The semiconductor industry is set for an exciting and transformative year in 2024. With advancements in AI, edge computing, 5G technology, sustainability, and supply chain resilience, the sector is poised to drive innovation across multiple industries. As these trends unfold, semiconductor companies that embrace these changes and invest in cutting-edge technologies will be well-positioned to lead the market and capitalize on the opportunities ahead.

Asia Pacific Semiconductor Market Size and Growth 2024 To 2033

The Asia Pacific semiconductor market size was estimated at USD 287.79 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach around USD 611.73 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.83% from 2024 to 2033.

Based on region, Asia Pacific dominated the global semiconductors market in 2023, in terms of revenue, and is estimated to sustain its dominance during the forecast period. Asia Pacific is characterized by the presence of a huge consumer base, rising disposable income, increased demand for industrial processing and consumer electronics, rising urbanization, and rapid industrialization. All these factors have boosted the consumption of semiconductors. Moreover, countries like China, Taiwan, and South Korea are well-known for their electronics industry. The increased consumption of a wide range of consumer electronics has significantly contributed to the market growth in this region. Moreover, the rising penetration of IoT devices, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Virtual Reality (VR) are the major factors that will drive market growth in the forthcoming years.

North America and Europe are expected to have a substantial growth rate owing to the presence of a strong telecom and automotive industry. The rising investments by the market players in the US in research and development activities are expected to register a strong growth rate during the forecast period.

Production, manufacturing, and investment data of the global semiconductor market

• Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., a globally leading manufacturer of semiconductors stood at a strong revenue of $75.881 billion for the financial year 2022. As of 2023 data, the company produces about 10 million semiconductor wafers per year.
• The Indian government has recently announced to boost its manufacturing capacity for semiconductors. The government has also launched a program ‘Semicon’ to promote the production of semiconductors in the country with an outlay of Rs.76,000 crore.
• The CHIPS Act 2022 by the United States government includes $52 billion for chip manufacturing, the act also offers incentives and tax credit for semiconductor manufacturing companies. The element under this act is supposed to support the production and manufacturing of semiconductor chips by strengthening the nation’s semiconductor market.
• According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the United States exported $61.1 billion in semiconductors in 2022.
• Intel, one of the most prominent manufacturers of semiconductor chips stated in January 2023 that it has invested $20 billion in two new semiconductor chips factories in Ohio.
• In 2022, China established total 433 new companies for chip design and production. The total sales of Chinese semiconductor companies increased to $573 billion.
• In March 2023, the United States exported semiconductor devices to Mexico worth 125 million.
• The country even exported semiconductor devices to Germany in the same period worth $60.1 million.
• In April 2023, China’s export for semiconductor devices reached up to $6.02 billion, the semiconductor export business in China showed a positive trade. In the month of April 2023, China mostly exported semiconductor devices to Netherlands worth $1.07 billion.
• The Canadian government has planned to spend $181.94 million on the country’s domestic semiconductor production industry.

Semiconductor Market Growth Factors

• The extensive usage of the semiconductors in a wide range of the end use applications such as electronics, industrial equipment, automotive, networking and communications, and data processing is the major factor that boosts the growth of the global semiconductors market.
• The rising penetration of the digital technologies and rising adoption of various consumer electronics across the globe is fostering the growth of the semiconductor market.
• Moreover, the rising popularity of the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things that allows the memory chips to process huge volume of data in less time is expected to provide growth opportunities to the market players in the foreseeable future.
• The rapidly growing AI, machine learning, IoT, and wireless communications devices are spurring the semiconductor demand.
• The rapid growth in the work-from-home trend across the globe has significantly fostered the demand for PCs and laptops which resulted in a significant amount of semiconductors across the globe.
• The rapid urbanization and industrialization coupled with the government investments for the development of numerous smart cities is expected to foster the demand for the semiconductors across the globe.
• The growing demand for semiconductors in the industrial equipment and automotive sector has significantly contributed to the increased consumption of semiconductors.
• The growing popularity of electric vehicles and their rising adoption among consumers is fueling the growth of the global semiconductors market.

Moreover, the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in supply chain disruptions which created a disturbance in the semiconductor industry. However, the shortage of the semiconductors is hampering the market growth but it will ramp up by 2023 owing to the rising investments by the market players to expand semiconductor production facilities to reduce the gap between demand and supply of the semiconductors. Furthermore, the growing demand for the integrated circuits in the developing nations is expected to boost the semiconductors market. This is simply owing to the rising demand for the smartphones that propels the demand for the mobile chips.

Semiconductor Market Trends

Escalating implementation of IOT, AI, and wireless communications to augment growth

Increasing demand for AI, IoT, and wirelessly connected devices worldwide is being met by companies like Micron Technology, Inc. This company provides high-capacity memory and multi-chip packages equipped with AI training, which are used in embedded or cloud in edge devices and mobile.

Most of these innovative products feature a single system on a chip (SoC) to ensure high integration levels. Furthermore, SoC enables these devices to function with improved power efficiency and increased security as it combines processors, memory, RF transceivers, sensors, power management, and connectivity into one unit.

Memory technology trends reshaping high-performance applications in data centers

Advancements in memory technologies, notably NAND flash and Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of various high-performance applications. In data centers, the demand for faster and more reliable storage solutions has intensified with the exponential growth of data processing and storage requirements. NAND flash, with its non-volatile nature and high-speed data access, has become integral for data storage, retrieval, and efficient management in these environments.

The ongoing innovation in NAND flash technology, including the development of 3D NAND architectures, enhances storage capacities and improves data transfer speeds, addressing the evolving needs of data center infrastructures.

Semiconductor Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increasing demands for consumer electronics and wireless communications

• Increasing consumption of consumer electronics devices across the world is driving the market growth positively. A broad spectrum of consumer products currently necessitates the use of semiconductors including communication devices such as (smartphones, tablets, smart watches, and other devices), computers (computers for both personal and business feature PCBs), entertainment systems, and home appliances.
• Moreover, the demand for SiC semiconductors will further increase with fast charging becoming a standard option in the tablet and laptop options. Currently, there are very few laptop manufacturers that provide fast charging options in the market. However, the trend is moving more toward the adoption of GaN integration.
• In December 2020, Navitas Semiconductor, a pure-play, next-generation power-semiconductor company, announced that Dell Technologies, an multinational technology company, adopted gallium nitride (GaN) technology for the first time, using its GaNFast power ICs. GaNFast power ICs integrate a GaN power (FET) with drive, control, and protection to enable up to three-time more power in half the size and weight compared with a silicon-based solution.
• Further, power semiconductors in the communications industry are used in various wireless technologies such as line cards, modems, routers, transmitters, base stations, DC bricks. The wireless communication industry has grown for the past few years, offering opportunities to hardware components in the communications industry.
• The demand for large-capacity wireless transmission will continue to grow as growing global commercialization of 5G will also accelerate the usage of wireless communications in all sorts of fields, including connected cars (VR/AR) and high-definition video transmission.
• For instance, in March 30, 2023, SK Hynix, the second-largest memory chip manufacturer in the world, announced its plans to construct a US$ 15 billion semiconductor chip facility in the US. The U.S. CHIPS Act, which offered US$ 52.7 billion in federal incentives to entice advanced chip production to the U.S

Substantial government support

• In March 2023, the Government of Canada stated that the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry will be contributing $36 million to the Ottawa-based Ranovus Inc. The contribution aims to elevate the domestic production of semiconductor and semiconductor-based products. Considering such support from the governments, this can help in addressing major challenges that arise for the semiconductor industry. Such support from government can positively influence the market by enhancing the ecosystem, promoting technological advancements and ensuring a more robust and sustainable industry. Substantial government support can take various forms, such as financial incentives, research grants and policies that promote domestic semiconductor manufacturing. These measures can foster innovation, boost investment in R&D and encourage the market’s growth.

Market Restraints

Shortage of silicon wafers

• Factors such as increasing demand for consumer electronics and wireless communications and high-energy and power-efficient devices in the automotive and electronics are driving the market growth but factors such as shortage of silicon wafers across the world coupled with the ROI metrics are anticipated to hamper the market growth.
• For instance, on January 23, 2023, according to Maruti Suzuki India CFO, Mr. Ajay Seth, due to the semiconductor shortage, Maruti Suzuki India, the Indian subsidiary of Japan-based automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation, experienced a production shortfall of approximately 46,000 units during October-December 2022, impacting their manufacturing output.

Human resources and training challenges in the complex world of semiconductor manufacturing

• The design and manufacturing of semiconductors involve intricate processes, requiring specialized knowledge in areas like materials science, physics, and chemistry. This complexity necessitates a highly skilled workforce. However, the rapid pace of technological advancements in the semiconductor industry means that continuous training and development are essential. The high precision required in the manufacturing process and the need to handle advanced equipment hampers the market growth. The industry faces shortage of such skilled workers, leading to increased labor costs and potential production delays, posing significant human resource and training challenges.

Supply chain disruption

• The semiconductor industry heavily relies on a global supply chain, with components and raw materials often sourced from different countries. Any disruptions in transportation, logistics and production in one region can cause delays and shortages, affecting the whole market. Semiconductor manufacturing requires various essential components, such as rare metals and advanced materials. If the supply of these components is disrupted, it can lead to production delays and higher costs. For instance, recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown how vulnerable the semiconductor industry is due to supply chain disruptions. Factory closures, labor shortages and restrictions impacted on the supply chain during the pandemic. Thus, such disruptions are observed to create a restraint for the market.

Market Opportunities

Autonomous vehicles and advanced technologies

Autonomous vehicles present a significant opportunity for the semiconductor market. These vehicles require advanced sensors, processors, and other semiconductor components for their operation. The demand for semiconductors is further driven by the development of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, Electric Vehicles (EVs), and in-vehicle infotainment systems. The rise of these technologies is expected to drive significant growth in the semiconductor market.

Additionally, nations are engaging in collaborative efforts, formalizing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and forging partnerships to advance the semiconductor industry's development.

For instance, India and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in March 2023, to establish the semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership under the framework of India-U.S. Commercial Dialog.

Powering economic growth and security in the digital era

Semiconductors are crucial for economic competitiveness and national security. Semiconductor innovation is essential to advance the global economy into the digital transformation era, artificial intelligence, and 5G communications. The financial feasibility of groundbreaking technologies such as augmented and virtual reality, the Internet of Things, Industry 4.0 technology, and autonomous vehicles is swiftly nearing.

Rising commercialization of applications like AI and 5G is also fueling advancements in packaging platforms, like Fan-Out Packaging and the 3D Flip Chip technology, to address the high-power consumption needs and provide benefits such as more excellent chip connectivity. This forces many companies to collaborate with OSAT vendors; hence, many OSATs, such as ASE/ SPIL, Amkor, and JCET, invest in various advanced SiPs and fan-out technology to gauge their competition.

For instance, on March 16, 2023, Polymatech Electronics, a semiconductor chip manufacturer, announced plans to start the mass production of advanced semiconductor components in India for 5G and 6G applications. Currently, under testing, Polymatech will begin manufacturing chips at the company’s main manufacturing plant in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.

Penetration of advanced technologies in multiple sectors

The rising penetration of Internet of Things (IoT) is observed to bring technological advancement in the global semiconductor market. The increasing demand for connected devices and smart appliances drives the need for efficient and low-power semiconductor solutions. Moreover, artificial intelligence and machine learning applications require more powerful processors and specialized chips, leading to opportunities for the semiconductor companies across the globe. Moreover, the healthcare industry is witnessing a shift as it has increased its dependence on advanced technologies for medical imaging, monitoring and diagnostics. All these elements open a set of opportunities for the market to grow during the forecast period.

Market Challenge

Technological complexities

The global semiconductor industry operates on the cutting edge of technology, the advanced designing processes and manufacturing brings major technological complexities for the industry operators. Developing smaller and more powerful chips requires substantial investments in research and development, and the process nodes are approaching physical limits, posing a challenge for the market by creating complexities in the miniaturization processes.

Component Insights

Based on component, the memory devices segment accounted largest revenue share in 2023 and is predicted to remain dominant over the forecast period. This can be attributed to the rising penetration of digitalization and the rapidly growing number of digital businesses. The burgeoning demand for cloud computing and the rising adoption of virtual reality is expected to boost the growth of this segment during the forecast period.

On the other hand, the MPU and MCU segment is estimated to be the fastest growing during the forecast period. The extensive utilization of the MPUs and MCUs in the manufacturing of the devices such as desktops, notebooks, PCs, and laptops has significantly contributed to the growth of this segment in the past. The ongoing trend of IoT devices and rising demand for IoT devices is boosting the need for powerful controllers and processors, thereby augmenting the growth of the MPU and MCU segments. According to the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, there were around 50.1 billion connected devices in 2020 across the globe. In 2018, this number was around 34.8 billion. IoT devices are expected to grow significantly in the upcoming future.

Semiconductor Market Regional Revenue, By Component (USD Billion)

Application Insights

Based on application, the networking & communications segment accounted for around 29.2% of the market share in 2023 and is projected to remain its dominant during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the increased adoption of smartphones and other smart devices across the globe. According to the ITU, around 4 billion people around the globe have access to the Internet, and most of them have access to the Internet through smartphones. This number is further expected to rise and hence it will augment the growth of this segment exponentially in the forthcoming years.

On the other hand, the automotive is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period owing to the increased adoption of vehicles in developed and developing nations. The demand for private vehicles is extremely high in developed regions like North America owing to the low availability of public transport and the demand for high convenience commuting among the population. Furthermore, the rising popularity of electric vehicles among global consumers is boosting the demand for EVs, which in turn is expected to augment the demand for semiconductors in the upcoming future.

Semiconductor Market Companies

• Intel Corporation
• Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
• Broadcom, Inc.
• Taiwan Semiconductors
• Samsung Electronics
• Texas Instruments
• SK Hynix
• Micron Technology
• NXP Semiconductors
• Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Component

• Logic Devices
• MPU
• Power Devices
• MCU
• Analog IC
• Memory Devices
• Sensors
• Discrete Power Devices
• Others

By Application

• Data Processing
• Industrial
• Networking & Communications
• Consumer Electronics
• Automotive
• Government

By Geography

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • U.K.
  • Germany
  • France
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
• Rest of the World