The size of the semiconductor market is predicted tosurpass 1 trillion dollars (about 1,268 trillion won) by 2030. This means the industry will expand by more than 66% compared to last year. Analysis shows that automobile and data markets will drive semiconductor demand and lead the market growth. As vehicles become electrified and autonomous driving technology expands, the cost of semiconductors used in automobiles is expected to increase eightfold.
According to McKinsey, in a recent semiconductor industry outlook report, “The global semiconductor industry will grow steadily over the next 10 years, reaching $1 trillion in 2030.” Considering that the semiconductor industry was about $600 billionlast year, the
semiconductor industry is expected to grow rapidly for the first time in eight years. McKinsey predicts that the semiconductor industry will grow at an annual growth rate of 6-8% by 2030.
△ Automobile △ Data Center (computing and data storage) △ Wireless communication will lead the semiconductor industry. McKinsey estimates that these three areas will account for 70% of the semiconductor industry's growth. Autonomous driving and vehicle electrification are expected to increase the demand for semiconductors in automobiles. The total cost of semiconductors applied to the Society of Automotive Engineers' (SAE) autonomous driving level 1 vehicle is about $500. A total of $4,000 is expected to be spent on semiconductors for Level 4 autonomous vehicles, which are set to become mainstream in 2030. This means that the proportion of semiconductors in automobiles will increase significantly.
The portion of the automobile industry with semiconductor demand is also expected to increase. McKinsey predicts that by 2030, the automobile industry will account for 13 to 15 percent of semiconductor demand. Last year, it was only 8%.
The data center market is expected to grow 4-6% annually and will lead the semiconductor demand. McKinsey predicted 25% of semiconductor growth in the data center field. Investments in information technology (IT) infrastructure continues as data throughput rapidly increases. Demand for system semiconductors such as central processing unit (CPU) and graphic processing unit (GPU) as well as memory semiconductors is expected to increase rapidly. Demand for semiconductors in wireless communication fields such as smartphones is also expected to grow steadily, thanks to the growth of 5G mobile communication.
By staff reporter Dong-joon Kwon (djkwon@etnews.com)