Worldwide semiconductor sales reached $298.3bn in 2010, an increase of 31.8% compared to prior year sales of $226.3bn, according to a report by Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
The report said sales of semiconductors declined by 3% sequentially to $25.2b in December, and increased by 12.2% compared to same period last year.
The fourth quarter sales of semiconductor also followed the same trend with a sequential decline of 4% and an increase of 12.2% year-on-year to reach $75.5bn.
In 2010, all major semiconductor product categories showed double-digit growth year-over-year, with Asia Pacific region registering 54% of the total worldwide semiconductor market while Americas semiconductor market accounted for 18% of the world market.
SIA president Brian Toohey said semiconductor sales are a bright spot in their current economic picture, delivering a record high in the billions.
"The year-over-year growth is due in part to the increased use of semiconductor technology in a wider range of electronic devices that we have come to enjoy in modern life and our member companies continue to ramp up their operations to meet the growing demand for semiconductor innovation," Toohey said.
