China Became the World's Largest IC Market in 2005

Scottsdale, Arizona --- January 9, 2006 --- According to information in IC Insights' new McClean Report 2006, China's IC market grew 32% to $40.8 billion in 2005 (Figure 1), making it, for the first time ever, the largest regional IC market in the world. The 32% increase was much greater than the 8% growth rate the total worldwide IC industry displayed in 2005.

From 2000 through 2005, the Chinese IC market registered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33% as compared to an -8% CAGR for the Americas IC market during this same timeperiod! In 2005, China represented 21% of the world's $192.4 billion in IC consumption, up from 6% in 2000. Amazingly, as recently as 2000, the Americas IC market was more than five times the size of China's IC market.

Figure 1

IC Insights believes that a very clear distinction should be made between the IC market in China and indigenous IC production in China. Although China was the world’s largest market (i.e., consuming country) for ICs beginning in 2005, it does not necessarily mean that huge amounts of IC production in China will immediately follow.

Overall, the growth rate of China-based IC production is likely to be very strong through 2010. However, considering that China-based IC production was only about $2.6 billion in 2005, this growth will come off a small base.

IC Insights forecasts that China-based IC production will rise to $12.1 billion in 2010 (a 36% 2005-2010 CAGR). It should be noted that even after such meteoric growth, China-based IC production would still represent only 4% of the total forecasted $319 billion worldwide IC production in 2010! Moreover, the $12.1 billion worth of local Chinese IC production would be only about 10% the size of the $124 billion Chinese IC market forecast for 2010.

Additional information on IC market trends can be found in the 2006 edition of IC Insights' McClean Report. The report provides a complete analysis and forecast of the IC industry through 2010. Packed with 700 tables, graphs, and illustrations, The McClean Report is available in both a three-ring binder and on CD-ROM, costing $2,685 for the first set. Additional individual copies of the disk or binder sell for $495 each. A single CD-ROM or binder copy is available for $2,190. The report is also available under a multi-user corporate license for $5,490. Moreover, attendance to IC Insights' McClean Report seminars in January and February is free with purchase of the report.

About IC Insights

IC Insights, Inc., based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is dedicated to providing high-quality, cost-effective market research for the integrated circuit industry. Founded in 1997, IC Insights offers coverage of global economic trends, IC market forecasts, capital spending and fab capacity trends, product market details, and technology trends, as well as complete IC company profiles and evaluations of end-use applications driving demand for ICs. For more information, contact +1-480-348-1133 or info@icinsights.com, or visit www.icinsights.com.