Global semiconductor sales continued to decline in the first quarter, but monthly sales rebounded

"Global semiconductor sales continued to decline in the first quarter of 2023 due to cyclical markets and macroeconomic headwinds, but monthly sales rose in March for the first time in nearly a year, providing optimism for a rebound in the months ahead," said John Neuffer, SIA President and CEO.

    Global semiconductor sales totaled $119.5 billion in the first quarter of 2023, down 8.7% from the fourth quarter of 2022 and 21.3% from the first quarter of 2022, according to a recent report by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). Sales rose 0.3 percent in March compared with February 2023.

By region, March semiconductor sales in Europe, Asia Pacific/All Other regions and China increased by 2.7%, 2.6% and 1.2%, respectively, but semiconductor sales in Japan and the Americas decreased by -1.1% and -3.5%, respectively. Europe, Japan, the Americas, Asia Pacific/All Other Countries and China (-34.1%) experienced year-on-year declines in semiconductor sales, with growth rates of -0.7%, -1.3%, -16.4%, -22.2% and -34.1%, respectively.

"Global semiconductor sales continued to decline in the first quarter of 2023 due to cyclical markets and macroeconomic headwinds, but monthly sales rose in March for the first time in nearly a year, providing optimism for a rebound in the months ahead," said John Neuffer, SIA President and CEO.

According to the figures released by SIA, in February this year, semiconductor sales in Japan increased slightly to 1.2% year on year, but Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific/all other regions and China showed varying degrees of decline, growth of -0.9%, -14.8%, -22.1%, -34.2%. Monthly sales declined in Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific/All Other, the Americas and China, with growth rates of -0.3%, -0.3%, -3.6%, -5.3% and -5.9%, respectively.

In addition, according to 2022 semiconductor sales data by broad product category (referred to as "end-use"), the PC/ computer and communication terminal markets account for approximately two-thirds of total semiconductor sales, with the other markets being mainly automotive, industrial and consumer electronics.

However, according to the semiconductor end-use survey conducted by World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), the semiconductor terminal market saw a significant change in sales in 2022. Although the PC/ computer and communication terminal markets still accounted for the largest share of semiconductor sales in 2022, the lead narrowed. At the same time, automotive and industrial applications saw the largest growth for the year. In addition, automotive and industrial applications will account for 14 percent and 12 percent of average chip sales growth by 2030, respectively, driving demand growth this decade, according to a McKinsey analysis.