Computer Engineering Market Size & Share 2017 - 2024
Market Size by Product Functionality (Personal Computers, Server Computer Hardware, Supercomputers, Built-in Computers, Mobile Computer Hardware, Microelectronic Components), by Application (Automotive, Communication System, Industrial, Medicine, Consumer Computer Equipment), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast.
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Computer Engineering Market Size
Computer Engineering Market size was valued at around USD 1,800 billion in 2016 and will grow at a CAGR of around 5% from 2017 to 2024.
Growth in the field of internet and cloud computing is a major factor driving the computer engineering market. Increase in usage of electronic products in automotive, industrial, medical, and consumer industries has created a connected landscape for smart devices. Several software applications are being developed by developers to expand the potential of the connected devices. These developments have been fueled by innovations in the software and semiconductor industries. Several manufacturers are combining several components such as ICs, embedded software, custom logic, memory, and processor into a single System-on-Chip (SoC), which is necessitating highly complex chip designs which is a common trend in the industry.
Several semiconductor manufacturers are largely adopting the trend of miniaturization by delivering smaller sizes, flexible mounting possibilities, and integrating multiple functionalities into a single set. In some scenarios, this has enabled the semiconductors to be utilized in applications, where they were not used before, such as surgical devices and smart fitness products. The medicine industry is a promising application for the computer engineering market owing to the growing usage of medical implants in advanced medical therapies. These implants are helpful to detect several chronic conditions and can be safely charged, which is opening several new prospects for the segment. In addition, the semiconductor technology is providing healthcare consumers the ability to extend the lifetime of an implant as the battery can be wirelessly recharged, and can eliminate the need for battery in some conditions, thereby driving demand for the computer engineering market.
The manufacturing process of electronic devices is a highly complex activity with specific requirements and conditions for manufacturing an equipment. The initial cost of setting up an electronics manufacturing plant is a major factor hindering the growth of the computer engineering market. Moreover, a key challenge in the industry is the availability of counterfeit electronic devices and products. Since the last few years, several lookalike products have been swamping the industry, thereby seizing the industry share of leading vendors.
Computer Engineering Market Analysis
Mobile computer hardware is anticipated to exhibit the highest growth, owing to the increasing usage of smartphones and tablets. Asia Pacific contributed the largest share in the computer engineering market owing to rising phone subscriptions in the region. It had more than 4 billion subscribers in 2016. Rise in the number of smartphones and mobiles has attributed to development of new technologies, availability of low price handsets, and low voice calling tariff with substantial investment in construction of the telecom infrastructure by the mobile operators. In the communications industry, technological transitions, such as the IoT and the rollout of 4G/ LTE networks, is providing an impetus to the mobile computer adoption.
Automotive applications of computer engineering include infotainment, body electronics, and safety and security systems. Increasing demand for solutions such as automated test equipment and electronic manufacturing services will drive the computer engineering market. In certain regions such as China the demand for EVs and charging stations has led to the high demand for the microcontrollers. The U.S. provides tax credits of USD 2,000 to USD 7,500 per new EV purchased in the country. The provision of financial aid is anticipated to lower the up-front costs of plug-in EVs. Among various applications, the automotive sector is the highest revenue generation market. For instance, in 2016, ON Semiconductors reported that 34% of their revenue is generated through automotive applications. In addition, various trends such as usage of smart sensors in connected car systems is further driving the demand for efficient products in the computer engineering market.
Asia Pacific computer engineering market will witness considerable growth over the forecast timespan, owing to the presence of several semiconductor manufacturing companies. The government and industry bodies are attempting to increase the competitiveness of the electronics system design & manufacturing (ESDM) industry to meet the domestic demand and attract foreign investments. Moreover, the regional attractiveness for manufacturers is rising owing to the availability of low-cost labor in countries such as India, Indonesia and Thailand. The rise in manufacturing costs in Taiwan and China, has compelled the ESDM industry to shift their industrial base to alternative countries. In 2016, the average labor cost per hour for manufacturing electronics in India was around USD 1 as compared to USD 3.5 in China which is proving to be beneficial for the India computer engineering market.
Computer Engineering Market Share
Major players operating in the computer engineering market include designing, developing/manufacturing and testing providers. Some of the major companies involved in this market are :
Vendors operating in the computer engineering market are facing intense rivalry with companies competing based on brand, quality, technology, price, distribution, and service. Companies are also entering into collaborations for the development of new technologies.
Computer Engineering Industry Background
The computer engineering market is highly fragmented in nature with presence of several manufactures and system developers. Players are adopting several strategies such as collaborations, agreements, partnerships, and mergers & acquisitions (M&A). A major trend amongst the ESDM providers is the subcontracting or outsourcing of the electronic manufacturing processes to other third-party companies. By undertaking this initiative, manufactures can focus on quality improvement, end-to-end designing, development, testing solutions and vital resources, such as monetary bonds, and skilled labour, to lessen the high variable and capital.
Research methodology, data sources & validation process
This report draws on a structured research process built around direct industry conversations, proprietary modelling, and rigorous cross-validation and not just desk research.
Our 6-step research process
1. Research design & analyst oversight
At GMI, our research methodology is built on a foundation of human expertise, rigorous validation, and complete transparency. Every insight, trend analysis, and forecast in our reports is developed by experienced analysts who understand the nuances of your market.
Our approach integrates extensive primary research through direct engagement with industry participants and experts, complemented by comprehensive secondary research from verified global sources. We apply quantified impact analysis to deliver dependable forecasts, while maintaining complete traceability from original data sources to final insights.
2. Primary research
Primary research forms the backbone of our methodology, contributing nearly 80% to overall insights. It involves direct engagement with industry participants to ensure accuracy and depth in analysis. Our structured interview program covers regional and global markets, with inputs from C-suite executives, directors, and subject matter experts. These interactions provide strategic, operational, and technical perspectives, enabling well-rounded insights and reliable market forecasts.
3. Data mining & market analysis
Data mining is a key part of our research process, contributing nearly 20% to the overall methodology. It involves analysing market structure, identifying industry trends, and assessing macroeconomic factors through revenue share analysis of major players. Relevant data is collected from both paid and unpaid sources to build a reliable database. This information is then integrated to support primary research and market sizing, with validation from key stakeholders such as distributors, manufacturers, and associations.
4. Market sizing
Our market sizing is built on a bottom-up approach, starting with company revenue data gathered directly through primary interviews, alongside production volume figures from manufacturers and installation or deployment statistics. These inputs are then pieced together across regional markets to arrive at a global estimate that stays grounded in actual industry activity.
5. Forecast model & key assumptions
Every forecast includes explicit documentation of:
✓ Key growth drivers and their assumed impact
✓ Restraining factors and mitigation scenarios
✓ Regulatory assumptions and policy change risk
✓ Technology adoption curve parameter
✓ Macroeconomic assumptions (GDP growth, inflation, currency)
✓ Competitive dynamics and market entry/exit expectations
6. Validation & quality assurance
The final stages involve human validation, where domain experts manually review filtered data to identify nuances and contextual errors that automated systems might miss. This expert review adds a critical layer of quality assurance, ensuring data aligns with research objectives and domain-specific standards.
Our triple-layer validation process ensures maximum data reliability:
✓ Statistical Validation
✓ Expert Validation
✓ Market Reality Check
Trust & credibility
Verified data sources
Trade publications
Security & defense sector journals and trade press
Industry databases
Proprietary and third-party market databases
Regulatory filings
Government procurement records and policy documents
Academic research
University studies and specialist institution reports
Company reports
Annual reports, investor presentations, and filings
Expert interviews
C-suite, procurement leads, and technical specialists
GMI archive
13,000+ published studies across 30+ industry verticals
Trade data
Import/export volumes, HS codes, and customs records
Parameters studied & evaluated
Every data point in this report is validated through primary interviews, true bottom-up modelling, and rigorous cross-checks. Read about our research process →