Blog2026 State of the Industry Report: Historic Growth Amid Intensifying Global Competition

SIA’s annual State of the U.S.

Semiconductor Industry report, released today, provides a snapshot of where the industry stands in 2026: the extraordinary growth underway, the opportunities and challenges ahead, and the policy priorities necessary to sustain U.S. leadership in this vital technology. The semiconductor market reached new heights in 2025, and that trend has only intensified this year.

Global semiconductor sales reached a record $795.6 billion last year, far surpassing initial forecasts, and the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization projects worldwide semiconductor sales will reach $1.5 trillion in 2026.

This rapid growth reflects the accelerating deployment of artificial intelligence and the continued expansion of advanced computing, 5G and emerging 6G communications, healthcare devices, advanced defense systems, and other semiconductor-enabled innovations. The United States continues to lead the global semiconductor industry.

In 2025, U.S.-headquartered companies generated $425 billion in semiconductor sales, accounting for 53.4% of worldwide market share, the highest U.S. share since 1984. This leadership is fueled by America’s strengths across the full innovation stack, from cutting-edge research and chip design to advanced manufacturing, and the industry’s continued commitment to innovation.

American semiconductor companies invested a record $76.8 billion in research and development in 2025, reinforcing the industry’s position as one of the world’s most research-intensive sectors. At the same time, the United States continues to expand its domestic semiconductor ecosystem.

Since 2020, semiconductor companies have announced more than $770 billion in private-sector investments across 160 projects in 30 states, strengthening domestic manufacturing, equipment production, materials, packaging, and research capabilities.

These investments are helping build a more resilient semiconductor supply chain, supporting high-paying American jobs, and reinforcing the nation’s economic and national security while complementing the industry’s globally interconnected supply chains. Artificial intelligence has emerged as a defining driver of semiconductor demand.

Every layer of AI infrastructure depends on semiconductor technologies, from logic processors and memory to analog and foundational chips. A single AI server rack contains more than 4,500 packaged semiconductors, with chips representing more than 95% of an AI server rack’s value and more than half of total AI data center capital expenditures.

According to SIA and Deloitte research, government and industry are expected to invest more than $4 trillion in AI data center infrastructure globally through 2028, with up to $2.8 trillion of that investment dedicated to semiconductors. Global competition is intensifying even as demand accelerates.

Governments around the world continue to invest aggressively in semiconductor manufacturing and research, seeking to capture greater shares of this strategically vital industry. At the same time, the industry navigates several ongoing challenges, including persistent supply chain disruptions, rising geopolitical tensions, and market-distorting practices that stack the deck in favor of emerging foreign competitors.

These dynamics make clear that U.S. leadership cannot be taken for granted, it must be actively sustained. Growing America’s leadership will require policies that encourage continued investment in semiconductor research, manufacturing, workforce development, trade, and supply chain resilience.

Ensuring the United States remains the world’s premier destination for semiconductor innovation is critical to not only maintaining technological leadership, but meeting the scale of growing global demand. The semiconductor industry stands ready to work with policymakers to strengthen America’s innovation ecosystem, build the U.S. workforce, and reinforce supply chains.

Semiconductors remain a foundation of economic prosperity and national security, and the decisions made today will determine America’s ability to lead the next generation of technological innovation.