Global Semiconductor Sales Decrease 3.6 Percent in First Quarter of 2020

Sales in March increase 0.9 percent month-to-month and 6.9 percent year-to-year; full impact of COVID-19 crisis not yet captured in available sales data

WASHINGTON—May 4, 2020—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced worldwide sales of semiconductors totaled $104.6 billion during the first quarter of 2020. First-quarter sales decreased 3.6 percent compared to the previous quarter, which is in line with typical seasonal trends, and increased 6.9 percent compared to the first quarter of 2019. Global sales for the month of March 2020 were $34.9 billion, an increase of 0.9 percent compared to the previous month’s total and 6.9 percent more than sales from March 2019. Monthly sales are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. SIA represents 95 percent of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms.

“First-quarter global semiconductor sales slipped somewhat compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, but monthly totals for March increased month-to-month and year-to-year, indicating the available sales data has not yet fully captured the impacts of the COVID-19 health crisis,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Ongoing macroeconomic turmoil related to the pandemic has caused significant uncertainty for the global semiconductor market that is likely to persist in the months ahead.”

Regionally, month-to-month sales increased in Europe (4.0 percent), Asia Pacific/All Other (2.2 percent), and the Americas (1.1 percent), but decreased in China (-0.2 percent) and Japan (-2.1 percent). Sales increased year-to-year in the Americas (21.8 percent), Asia Pacific/All Other (4.6 percent), China (4.5 percent), and Japan (1.0 percent), but fell slightly in Europe (-1.1 percent).

For more information about the global semiconductor industry and market, download the free SIA Factbook. For comprehensive monthly semiconductor sales data and detailed WSTS Forecasts, consider purchasing the WSTS Subscription Package.

About SIA
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the semiconductor industry, one of America’s top export industries and a key driver of America’s economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness. Semiconductors – the tiny chips that enable modern technologies – power incredible products and services that have transformed our lives and our economy. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million workers in the United States, and U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $193 billion in 2019. represents 95 percent of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms. Through this coalition, SIA seeks to strengthen leadership of semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research by working with Congress, the Administration, and key industry stakeholders around the world to encourage policies that fuel innovation, propel business, and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org.

About WSTS
World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) is an independent non-profit organization representing the vast majority of the world semiconductor industry. The mission of WSTS is to be the respected source of semiconductor market data and forecasts. Founded in 1986, WSTS is the singular source for monthly industry shipment statistics.

 Back