KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 18): Global sales of semiconductors surpassed one trillion units for the first time ever in 2018, according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

In a startement on its website Feb 14, SIA said that according to data from the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics organization (WSTS), starting in 1998 when total semiconductor units sold totaled 257 billion, there have only been two periods when annual units sold decreased: from 2000 to 2001 and from 2007 to 2009.

“These two periods experienced an overall decrease in global demand for semiconductors, the first due to the dotcom bubble and the second due to the Great Recession.

“With the exception of those two periods, annual semiconductor unit sales have steadily marched forward, increasing fourfold from 1998 to 2018,” said SIA.

SIA said as semiconductors become more integrated into a broader swath of end applications, demand for them will continue to grow.

It said that in addition, new innovations such as AI, IoT, and driverless vehicles offer other exciting sources of demand for semiconductors.

It added that with a healthy demand environment in place, annual semiconductor unit sales look to continue to grow.