Laptop and Tablet Computer Market

The article provides an in-depth analysis of the global laptop and palm-top computer market, with insights into consumption, production, imports, and exports. It discusses the market performance and forecasts for the period from 2022 to 2030, including expected growth rates and market volume. The article also highlights the key countries driving these trends, such as China, the United States, and the Netherlands, and their roles in the market value. Overall, the article presents a detailed overview of the market dynamics and key players in the industry.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for laptops and palm-top computers worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 763M units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $383.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers

In 2022, consumption of laptops and palm-top computers decreased by -3.3% to 563M units for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 583M units in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

The global laptop and tablet computer market revenue reduced to $249.2B in 2022, dropping by -1.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, the total consumption indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +53.8% against 2016 indices. Global consumption peaked at $253.2B in 2021, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (143M units), the United States (98M units) and Brazil (31M units), with a combined 48% share of global consumption. Japan, India, the UK, Mexico, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, the United Arab Emirates, Poland, Singapore and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +15.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($55.5B), the United States ($46.5B) and Japan ($13.6B) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 46% share of the global market.

China, with a CAGR of +12.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of laptop and tablet computer per capita consumption in 2022 were Hong Kong SAR (1,863 units per 1000 persons), Singapore (1,697 units per 1000 persons) and the United Arab Emirates (1,351 units per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +15.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers

In 2022, production of laptops and palm-top computers decreased by -4% to 542M units for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +59.2% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 21%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 565M units in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer production contracted to $211.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $224.8B in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Production By Country

China (438M units) constituted the country with the largest volume of laptop and tablet computer production, accounting for 81% of total volume. Moreover, laptop and tablet computer production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Brazil (29M units), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Vietnam (12M units), with a 2.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China totaled +2.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+10.8% per year) and Vietnam (+6.3% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers

In 2022, purchases abroad of laptops and palm-top computers decreased by -14.5% to 455M units for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 29%. Global imports peaked at 533M units in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer imports dropped to $210B in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +72.1% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 34% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $228.9B in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Imports By Country

The United States represented the largest importing country with an import of about 114M units, which resulted at 25% of total imports. The Netherlands (35M units) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 7.8% share, followed by Hong Kong SAR (7.7%) and Germany (5.3%). The UK (20M units), India (18M units), Japan (16M units), the United Arab Emirates (14M units), Poland (14M units), France (11M units), Canada (9.7M units), the Czech Republic (9.5M units) and South Korea (8M units) held a relatively small share of total imports.

The United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of laptops and palm-top computers. At the same time, Poland (+14.8%), India (+10.8%), the Netherlands (+6.6%), the United Arab Emirates (+5.0%), South Korea (+4.6%), the Czech Republic (+4.1%), Germany (+3.4%), Japan (+3.4%), Hong Kong SAR (+2.3%), Canada (+2.2%) and the UK (+1.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +14.8% from 2012-2022. France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the Netherlands, India and Poland increased by +2.6, +2.2 and +2.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($53.7B) constitutes the largest market for imported laptops and palm-top computers worldwide, comprising 26% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($22.6B), with an 11% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States amounted to +2.0%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+10.0% per year) and Germany (+5.2% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average laptop and tablet computer import price stood at $461 per unit in 2022, picking up by 7.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded mild growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($641 per unit), while Poland ($168 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+3.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Laptops and Palm-Top Computers

In 2022, shipments abroad of laptops and palm-top computers decreased by -15.6% to 434M units for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 515M units in 2021, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

In value terms, laptop and tablet computer exports dropped to $193.7B in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +66.8% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 31%. The global exports peaked at $208.8B in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Exports By Country

China prevails in exports structure, accounting for 297M units, which was near 68% of total exports in 2022. The Netherlands (32M units) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 7.3% share, followed by Hong Kong SAR (4.8%). The United States (15M units), Germany (10M units), the Czech Republic (8.2M units) and Vietnam (6.8M units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of laptops and palm-top computers. At the same time, Vietnam (+8.9%), the Netherlands (+8.4%), the Czech Republic (+3.8%), Hong Kong SAR (+2.8%) and Germany (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Vietnam emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +8.9% from 2012-2022. The United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. The Netherlands (+3.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while China saw its share reduced by -6.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($127.8B) remains the largest laptop and tablet computer supplier worldwide, comprising 66% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($19.7B), with a 10% share of global exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 3.6% share.

In China, laptop and tablet computer exports increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+13.0% per year) and the United States (+0.4% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average laptop and tablet computer export price amounted to $446 per unit, growing by 9.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 18%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($621 per unit), while Hong Kong SAR ($230 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+4.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform