The main growth points of the global semiconductor market in 2024 are as follows:
- Data centers and high-performance computing (HPC):
- The rapid development of data centers and the increasing demand for HPC have led to a strong demand for semiconductors. As the amount of data processed and stored continues to grow exponentially, there is a need for more powerful chips to support these operations. For example, graphics processing units (GPUs) and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) used in data centers and HPC systems are in high demand, driving the growth of the semiconductor market in this area8.
- Smartphones and consumer electronics:
- After a period of decline, the smartphone market is expected to recover in 2024. The release of new models by major manufacturers and the improvement of consumer purchasing power will drive the growth of smartphone shipments, thereby increasing the demand for semiconductor chips used in smartphones, such as application processors, baseband chips, and memory chips. In addition, consumer electronics such as tablets, wearable devices, and virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) devices also have a certain growth potential, further driving the demand for semiconductors.
- Automotive electronics:
- The trend of vehicle electrification and intelligence is unstoppable. Electric vehicles require a large number of semiconductor components for battery management systems, motor control systems, and charging systems. At the same time, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), in-vehicle infotainment systems, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication also rely on semiconductors. As the penetration rate of these technologies in the automotive industry continues to increase, the demand for automotive semiconductors is growing rapidly2811.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) chips:
- With the continuous development and application of AI technology, the demand for AI chips is surging. AI chips are the core components for processing and analyzing massive amounts of data in AI systems, and they are widely used in various fields such as data centers, edge computing, and smart terminals. The development of AI applications such as natural language processing, computer vision, and intelligent robotics has further promoted the growth of the AI chip market8.
- Memory chips:
- The memory chip market is a major part of the semiconductor industry. In 2024, the market conditions of memory chips are expected to improve. The price of memory chips has risen due to factors such as production reduction in the industry and the increasing demand for high-performance memory in emerging applications. High-bandwidth memory (HBM) and other advanced memory technologies are also gradually being adopted, which will drive the growth of the memory chip market212.
- 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT):
- The commercialization of 5G technology is accelerating, and the number of 5G base stations and 5G terminal devices is increasing continuously, which requires a large number of semiconductor chips to support. At the same time, the development of the IoT is also promoting the connection of various devices, and each IoT device needs a semiconductor chip to realize its functions, such as sensors, microcontrollers, and communication chips, creating a huge market demand for semiconductors8.
