Semiconductor market approaches 1-trillion-dollar landmark in 2026, says WSTS

The global semiconductor market is on track to miss the symbolic 1-trillion-dollar mark next year by only 25 billion dollars, according to the latest forecast from the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization. Year-on-year growth is expected to be 26.3 percent, a few percentage points higher than the growth outlook of 22 percent for 2025, which was revised sharply upward in WSTS’ Fall Update.

The revision is driven primarily by surging demand for logic and memory chips, fueled by AI applications and continued investment in data center infrastructure. Logic is expected to grow by 37 percent in 2025, memory by 28 percent. Other segments, such as sensors, microprocessors and analog ICs, are also rebounding, albeit more moderately. Only the discretes category is forecast to contract, due to persistent softness in the automotive market.