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SAN JOSE, CA – The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has released its annual global semiconductor sales forecast. According to the forecast, 2009 sales are predicted to decline by 5.6% to $246.7 billion. This will mark the first decline in sales since 2001.

SIA bases the projections on a recent report from Deutsche Bank, forecasting a 5% decline in personal computer sales and a 6.4% decline in mobile handset sales for the coming year.

Despite the weakening global economy and consumer confidence, semiconductor sales did remain solid through the first three quarters of 2008. Sales for the year are projected to reach $261.2 billion, a 2.2% increase over last year’s sales.

SAN JOSE – Global sales of semiconductors will fall 2.2% in 2009, according to a revised forecast by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics group, citing the overall economy.

The trade group said chip sales would drop to $256 billion next year, down from an estimated $261.9 billion in 2008. In May, WSTS forecast 5.8% growth for 2009.

The WSTS is made up of 66 semiconductor manufacturers whose sales represent about 80% of the global market.

Asia-Pacific will be the only region showing growth in 2009, the WSTS said. The group forecasts 1.1% growth in that region in 2009, down 7.6% this year. Meanwhile, the Americas will sustain the biggest hit, dropping 9.8%, followed by drops of 3.8% in Japan and 3.6% in Europe, the WSTS said.

The WSTS also lowered its estimates for 2008 to 2.5% growth, from an earlier forecast of 4.7%.

The trade group expects 6.5% growth in 2010, to $273 billion, down from an earlier forecast of 8.8% growth.