Global Semiconductor Sales Surge for PCs & Telecommunications

A Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) report shows that global semiconductor sales increased from US$139 billion in 2001 to US$630.5 billion in 2024.

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during this period was 6.8% per year.

Semiconductors are used as components in a number of products. The largest application is for personal computers (PCs), accounting for 34.9% of total global sales. These materials can be used for CPUs, memory, chips, and other computer components.

Next is telecommunications equipment, with a 33% share. This is followed by automotive (12.7%), consumer products (9.9%), industrial (8.4%), and government (1%). The SIA notes that military equipment is included in the government sector.

"Most semiconductor demand is driven by products ultimately purchased by consumers, such as laptops, smartphones, cars, and others," the SIA wrote in its 2025 SIA Factbook report.

The SIA added that the need for semiconductors is increasing. Consumer demand is driven by developing countries active in the global market, including those in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Africa.

This semiconductor product data was compiled by the SIA from World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS). The SIA also notes that the United States (US) holds the largest global semiconductor market share, reaching 50.4% in 2024.

Meanwhile, the share of other countries is significantly lower, ranging from 4% to 21%. These include South Korea, the European Union, Japan, Taiwan, and China.

(Read: AS Will Still Dominate the Global Semiconductor Market in 2024)