Demand for electronics is growing rapidly. These statistics are stunning

Luc Williams

Demand for electronics is growing rapidly

Electronics production requires large amounts of energy and resources. From the extraction of raw materials, through the production and transport of finished products, to their charging during use and disposal. Although product recycling programs are constantly being developed, they do not keep up with the dynamic growth in demand for electronics – writes Statista.

Data from the Digital Economy Report 2024 published by the UN shows that this rapidly growing demand is not only a result of more and more people buying electronic devices around the worldbut also increasing average number of devices per consumerAs the Statista chart shows, the average number of devices owned per capita worldwide increased from 2.4 to 3.6 between 2018 and 2023.

Number of electronic devices in the West

Looking at the regional division, it is clear that this growth is uneven. The inhabitants of the global North not only own the most devices, but also clearly dominate in terms of the rate of growth of demand for them. In North America, for example, the average person owned about 8 devices in 2018, but by 2023 it will be close to 13. (a 63% increase in just five years), while in Western Europe the number rose from 5.6 in 2018 to 9.4 in 2023 (a 68% increase). In the Middle East and Africa, the rate of devices per person was 1.1 devices per capita in 2018 and 1.5 in 2023 (a 36% increase).

Internet of Things and the Demand for Electronics

According to the report internet of thingsincluding connected vehicles, sensors, consumer electronics and wearable devices, will be one of the foundations of the growth in demand for electronics in the future.

IoT devices surpassed conventional devices (PCs, tablets, mobile phones, and landlines) for the first time in 2021, and forecasts predict that the average number of IoT devices will grow from 16 billion in 2023 to 39 billion in 2029.

Analysts also point out that while the total number of devices has increased, the overall energy consumption associated with their use (not production) has been relatively stable, writes Statista. This is largely due to a shift to smaller, more energy-efficient devices (from desktop computers to laptops, tablets and smartphones), as well as more energy-efficient screens.

About LUC WILLIAMS

Luc's expertise lies in assisting students from a myriad of disciplines to refine and enhance their thesis work with clarity and impact. His methodical approach and the knack for simplifying complex information make him an invaluable ally for any thesis writer.