Global semiconductor sales last year fell 8.2%: Report

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Global semiconductor sales fell 8.2% in 2023, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) said in a report on Monday.

Semiconductor industry sales totaled $526.8 billion last year, down from $574.1 billion in 2022, the highest annual level on record, the SIA said in a statement.

While sales picked up during the second half of 2023, fourth-quarter sales totaled $146 billion – 11.6% more than the same period of 2022 and 8.4% higher than the third quarter of 2023.

On a monthly basis, global semiconductor sales in December 2023 were $48.6 billion, up 1.5% compared to November.

"Global semiconductor sales were sluggish early in 2023 but rebounded strongly during the second half of the year, and double-digit market growth is projected for 2024," SIA President and CEO John Neuffer said in the statement.

"With chips playing a larger and more important role in countless products the world depends on, the long-term outlook for the semiconductor market is extremely strong," he said. "Advancing government policies that invest in R&D, strengthen the semiconductor workforce, and reduce barriers to trade will help the industry continue to grow and innovate for many years to come."

Europe was the only regional market that experienced annual growth in 2023, with 4%, according to the report.

Annual sales into all other regional markets fell last year, with China plummeting 14%, Japan 3.1%, the Americas 5.2%, and Asia-Pacific and other regions declining 10.1%.