Global semiconductor revenues are forecasted to grow 5% year-over-year in 2012 to $318bn, according to International Data Corporation (IDC).
It will reach nearly $378bn in 2015, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% for the 2010-2015 period, according to the mid-year 2011 update of IDC’s Semiconductor Application Forecaster (SAF).
The mid-year forecast also revealed that there will be a modest growth in semiconductor revenues in 2011 to $303bn.
IDC, however, cautioned that volatile economic situation in the US, on-going debt crisis in Europe, fear of recession in Japan and high inflation in China, India, and Brazil, will likely affect the semiconductor market in 2012.
IDC expects that semiconductor demand for the computing segment into 2012 will be driven by the launch of Sandy Bridge and Fusion APU in 2011, by Intel and AMD respectively, along with continued enterprise adoption of Windows 7.
Media tablets that represent about 40% of all semiconductor revenues will show 4% year-over-year growth in 2012 and 5% CAGR growth for the 2010-2015 period.
For the Communications industry segment, IDC forecasts 7% year-over-year growth in 2012 and 7% CAGR growth for the 2010-2015 period.
Semiconductor revenues in the Asia/Pacific region will continue to grow, reaching 43% in 2015.
