The worldwide semiconductor industry is projected to reach $49,100m sales this year and $64,800m in 1992, according to figures compiled by World Semiconductor Trade Statistics Inc. The US Semiconductor Industry Association says that the US market is the only one projected to show a decline next year, and this will be followed by relatively strong growth in each of the regions in 1991 and 1992. The $49,100m figure for 1989 represents a 9% increase on 1988, but sales next year are forecast to dip 1.2% to $48,500m, growing 11.9% to $54,200m in 1991 and 19.7% to $64,900m in 1992. The US market is tipped to show a 9.7% increase to $14,700m thsi year, but to fall 3.5% next year, before rebounding 10.8% in 1991, and growing another 19.5% in 1992. Japan is expected to grow 6.8% to $19,300m this year, fall 1.2% next, rise 10.4% in 1991 and 17.5% in 1992. Western European is seen as the fastest growing this year, putting on 11.3% to $9,000m, continuing up, albeit by only 0.4%, next year, and 12.4% in 1991 and 19.6% – to $12,200m – in 1992.
