The global semiconductor market will decrease 3.2% on an annual basis to US$290 billion in 2012, followed by a recovery of 4.5% growth to US$303 billion in 2013, according to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS).

The growth forecasts for 2012 and 2013 are both revised downward from WSTS' previously-estimated 0.4% and 7.2% growth, respectively, due mainly to growing uncertainty of the world economy including a slowdown in China's economy, the industry organization revealed.

The 2012 market weakness is broad, with negative growth in all geographical regions and all product categories except logic and optoelectronics, WSTS said. Europe will be most hard hit among the regions in 2012 , declining 10.7% from 2011 to US$33 billion, WSTS indicated.

Looking forward, WSTS does not expect the chip market to continue its contraction in 2013. Despite uncertainty about the global economy, the semiconductor market will be driven by the emergence of new electronics products and applications, WSTS said.

WSTS anticipates the world market to grow 5.2% to US$319 billion in 2014, with mid single-digit percentage growth across most of geographical regions and semiconductor product categories, supported by a healthier global economy.

By: DocMemory
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