Global Semiconductor Sales Decrease 8.2% in 2023; Market Rebounds Late in Year

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The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced global semiconductor industry sales totaled $526.8 billion in 2023, a decrease of 8.2% compared to the 2022 total of $574.1 billion, which was the industry’s highest-ever annual total. Sales picked up during the second half of 2023. In fact, fourth-quarter sales of $146.0 billion were 11.6% more than the total from the fourth quarter of 2022 and 8.4% higher than the total from third quarter of 2023. And global sales for the month of December 2023 were $48.6 billion, an increase of 1.5% compared to November 2023 total. Monthly sales are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. SIA represents 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms.

“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,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “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. 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.”

On a regional basis, Europe was the only regional market that experienced annual growth in 2023, with sales there increasing 4.0%. Annual sales into all other regional markets decreased in 2023: Japan (-3.1%), the Americas (-5.2%), Asia-Pacific/All Other (-10.1%), and China (-14.0%). Sales for the month of December 2023 increased compared to November 2023 in China (4.7%), the Americas (1.8%), and Asia Pacific/All Other (0.3%), but decreased in Japan (-2.4%) and Europe (-3.9%).

Several semiconductor product segments stood out in 2023. Sales of logic products totaled $178.5 billion in 2023, making it the largest product category by sales. Memory products were second in terms of sales, totaling $92.3 billion. Microcontroller units (MCUs) grew by 11.4% to a total of $27.9 billion. And sales of automotive ICs grew by 23.7% year-over-year to a record total of $42.2 billion.