IDC: Worldwide Semiconductor Revenue Grew 10.8% in 2020 to $464 Billion

Semiconductor sales are on the rise. International Data Corporation (IDC) reports that despite the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy, the semiconductor market performed strongly in 2020, growing worldwide semiconductor revenue to $464 billion in 2020, an increase of 10.8% compared to 2019.

The Semiconductor Applications Forecaster (SAF) from IDC forecasts the semiconductor market will reach $522 billion in 2021, a 12.5% year-over-year growth rate. IDC anticipates continued robust growth in consumer, computing, 5G, and automotive semiconductors.

IDC also noted that supply constraints will continue through 2021. While shortages initially occurred in automotive semiconductors, the impact is being felt across the board in semiconductors manufactured at older technology nodes. IDC forecasts Computing systems revenues will grow 7.7% to $173 billion in 2021.

“Demand for PC processors remains strong, especially in value-oriented segments,” said Shane Rau, research vice president, computing semiconductors. “The PC processors market looks strong through the first half and likely the whole year.”

IDC forecasts mobile phone semiconductor revenues will grow by 23.3% in 2021 to $147 billion.

“Mobile phone shipments fell by more than 10% in 2020, but mobile phone semiconductor revenues grew by 9.1% due to a shift to higher priced 5G semiconductors, more memory per phone, sensors, and RF support for more spectrum bands,” said Phil Solis, research director for connectivity and smartphone semiconductors. “2021 will be an especially important year for semiconductor vendors as 5G phones capture 34% of all mobile phone shipments while semiconductors for 5G phones will capture nearly two-thirds of the revenue in the segment.”

The Consumer semiconductor market segment rebounded in 2020.

“Apple, AMD, and Intel showed exceptional growth as consumers upgraded their digital spaces at home,” said Rudy Torrijos, research manager, consumer semiconductors. “New gaming consoles from Microsoft and Sony, continued strong sales of wearables from Apple, and the rise in smart home networks managed by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant will accelerate growth in 2021 to 8.9% year over year.”

For 2021, IDC forecasts that automotive semiconductor revenue will grow 13.6%.

“Automotive sales recovered in the second half of 2020, but the supply constraints for the automotive semiconductor market for some products will last through 2021 as fires and fab shutdowns further impacted the automotive semiconductor market and it takes time for chips to move through the automotive ecosystem, specifically in the US and Europe,” said Nina Turner, research manager, automotive semiconductors.

“Overall, the semiconductor industry remains on track to deliver another strong year of growth as the super cycle that began at the end of 2019 strengthens this year,” said Mario Morales, program VP, semiconductors at IDC. “The markets remain narrowly focused on shortages across specific sectors of the supply chain, but what is more important to emphasize is how critical semiconductors are to every major system category and content growth that remains unabated.”