Global semiconductor equipment sales climbed to a fresh record in the second quarter of 2026, and Taiwan once again pulled ahead of South Korea to claim the world's second largest chip equipment market, according to the latest joint data from Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) and Japan's Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ). The AI boom continues to drive intense demand across the global chip supply chain, pushing manufacturers everywhere to expand capacity.
Equipment Billings Hit A Second Straight Record
According to SEMI's Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) report, global equipment billings reached $40.53 billion in the second quarter, up 23 percent from a year earlier and 11 percent from the first quarter. The figure marks a second consecutive quarter of record highs, a run SEMI attributes to accelerating demand for advanced-node technology and additional manufacturing capacity.
China Still On Top But Taiwan Closes The Gap
China remained the world's largest market by a wide margin, posting $11.91 billion in equipment billings for the quarter, up 5 percent year over year, extending its run atop the rankings to a 13th consecutive quarter.
Taiwan Leapfrogs South Korea For The Fourth Time In Five Quarters
Taiwan turned in the standout performance among major markets, with billings of $10.89 billion, up 24 percent year over year, enough to overtake South Korea and reclaim the number two spot globally for the fourth time in five quarters. South Korea slipped to third at $9.08 billion despite posting the fastest year-over-year growth of any major market, at 54 percent.
Europe Posts The Sharpest Growth Rate Of Any Region
North America's equipment billings rose 27 percent to $3.5 billion, while Europe surged 70 percent to $1.23 billion, the fastest growth rate among all regions tracked. Other markets combined grew 69 percent to $1.47 billion. Japan was the lone major market to post a decline, with billings falling 9 percent year over year to $2.44 billion.
SEMI Chief Says The Demand Driving Growth Is Global
SEMI President and CEO Ajit Manocha said back-to-back record quarters for equipment billings reflect the industry's sustained investment in advanced manufacturing capacity to keep pace with rising chip demand, particularly for the chips powering AI infrastructure. He added that simultaneous growth across Asia, North America and Europe shows the demand is genuinely global in scope, underscoring how central chipmaking has become to the next wave of AI-driven innovation. （Related： TSMC Doubles Down on Arizona as AI Chip Demand Rewrites Its Roadmap ｜ Latest ）
