Microprocessors Global Market Report 2026

Microprocessors serve as the control units within integrated circuits, capable of executing arithmetic and logic operations. They perform tasks such as fetching, decoding, and executing instructions while facilitating communication with other connected devices. A typical microprocessor comprises an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), a register array, and a control unit.

The primary types of microprocessors can be categorized as ARM-based MPUs and x86-based MPUs. The ARM-based RZ microprocessor family stands out by incorporating advanced peripherals, substantial embedded memory, and a robust ecosystem of proprietary and third-party software. These processors are designed to provide the ease of use akin to conventional microcontrollers, making them ideal for enabling next-generation human-machine interfaces and high-end industrial applications. Microprocessors find applications in a wide range of devices, including PCs, servers, mainframes, tablets, cell phones, and embedded MPUs. They cater to various end-user industries, such as communication, consumer electronics, automotive, and manufacturing.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs have influenced the microprocessor market by affecting the cost of imported semiconductors and critical manufacturing components, leading to increased production expenses and supply chain delays. Regions such as Asia-Pacific, especially China and Taiwan, which are major manufacturing hubs, are most impacted. ARM-based and x86-based processors used in PCs, servers, and embedded applications face cost pressures, while companies are responding by diversifying sourcing, boosting local production, and investing in R&D. Despite challenges, tariffs have encouraged innovation in cost-efficient microprocessor design and localized production strategies.

The microprocessors market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides microprocessors market statistics, including microprocessors industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a microprocessors market share, detailed microprocessors market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the microprocessors industry. This microprocessors market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The microprocessors market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $71.26 billion in 2025 to $75.31 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing pc and server demand, adoption of embedded systems in automotive, increasing consumer electronics usage, evolution of mobile computing, rising need for processing speed.

The microprocessors market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $123.67 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to demand for ai-enabled processors, growth of edge computing, expansion of smart transportation, adoption of iot-enabled devices, requirement for cybersecurity enhancements. Major trends in the forecast period include energy-efficient microprocessor design, high-performance computing capabilities, miniaturization and integration of components, real-time processing and low-latency operations, enhanced security and encryption features.

The expanding smartphones and tablets market is a key driver behind the growth of the microprocessors market. Increasing disposable incomes, a result of economic growth in both developed and developing economies, have positively impacted the demand for mobile phones and tablets. For instance, in May 2025, Ericsson, a Sweden-based telecommunications company, reported that 5G mobile subscriptions are expected to increase from 1.62 billion in 2023 to 6.29 billion by 2030. Additionally, the integration of all-in-one microprocessors in smartphones, consolidating major components to enhance performance and efficiency, is a key factor driving the global microprocessors market.

Major players in the microprocessor market are introducing new products such as System-on-Chip (SoC) microprocessors to cater to larger consumer bases, drive increased sales, and boost revenue. A System-on-Chip (SoC) microprocessor is an integrated circuit that consolidates essential components of a computing system onto a single chip. For instance, in July 2023, Ambiq, a US-based semiconductor solutions provider, unveiled the Apollo4 Lite and Apollo4 Blue Lite microprocessors. Distinguished by Ambiq's Subthreshold Power-Optimized Technology (SPOT) platform, these products offer additional functionalities while reducing overall system power consumption, thereby enhancing battery life for devices. The Apollo4 Lite and Apollo4 Blue Lite prioritize prolonged battery life, enhanced safety features, and powerful graphics in compact form factors, catering to a range of devices such as digital health products, smartwatches, fitness bands, animal trackers, voice-activated remote controls, industrial maintenance, and IoT-enabled smart homes.

In July 2024, SoftBank, a Japan-based provider of telecommunications, technology investment, and AI-driven solutions, acquired Graphcore for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables SoftBank to enhance its AI hardware capabilities and reinforce its position in the AI chip market. Graphcore is a UK-based microprocessor manufacturer.

Major companies operating in the microprocessors market are MediaTek Inc., Toshiba Corporation, Intel Corporation, Qualcomm Incorporated, Samsung Semiconductor Inc., Broadcom Inc., Freescale Semiconductor Inc., Nvidia Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), Spreadtrum Communications Inc., Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI), Apple Inc., International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Atmel Corporation, Leadcore Technology Co. Ltd., Amlogic Inc., Nufront, Ingenic Semiconductor Co. Ltd., Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Marvell Technology Group Ltd., Renesas Electronics Corporation, Infineon Technologies AG, NXP Semiconductors N.V., STMicroelectronics N.V., Microchip Technology Inc., Analog Devices Inc., ON Semiconductor Corporation, Cypress Semiconductor Corporation, Xilinx Inc., Altera Corporation, Silicon Laboratories Inc., Cavium Inc., Integrated Device Technology Inc., LSI Corporation, Maxim Integrated Products Inc., PMC-Sierra Inc., Semtech Corporation, Zilog Inc.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the microprocessors market in 2025. North America was the second-largest region in the microprocessors market. The regions covered in the microprocessors market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the microprocessors market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The microprocessor market consists of sales of advanced risc machine (ARM) processor, microprocessor without interlocked pipelined stages (MIPS) processor, scalable processor architecture (SPARC) processor, and other microprocessors. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Microprocessors Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses microprocessors market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

Reasons to Purchase

• Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 16 geographies.
• Assess the impact of key macro factors such as geopolitical conflicts, trade policies and tariffs, inflation and interest rate fluctuations, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
• Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.
• Identify growth segments for investment.
• Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.
• Understand customers based on end user analysis.
• Benchmark performance against key competitors based on market share, innovation, and brand strength.
• Evaluate the total addressable market (TAM) and market attractiveness scoring to measure market potential.
• Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high-quality data and analysis
• Report will be updated with the latest data and delivered to you within 2-3 working days of order along with an Excel data sheet for easy data extraction and analysis.
• All data from the report will also be delivered in an excel dashboard format.

Where is the largest and fastest growing market for microprocessors ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The microprocessors market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: ARM-Based MPUs; x86-Based MPUs
• 2) By Application: PCs; Servers; Mainframes; Tablet; Cellphone; Embedded MPUs
• 3) By End-User Industries: Communication; Consumer Electronics; Automotive; Manufacturing
• Subsegments:
• 1) By ARM-Based MPUs: Mobile Processors; Embedded Processors; Application Processors; System-on-Chip (SoC) Processors
• 2) By x86-Based MPUs: Desktop Processors; Laptop Processors; Server Processors; Workstation Processors
• Companies Mentioned: MediaTek Inc.; Toshiba Corporation; Intel Corporation; Qualcomm Incorporated; Samsung Semiconductor Inc.; Broadcom Inc.; Freescale Semiconductor Inc.; Nvidia Corporation; Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD); Spreadtrum Communications Inc.; Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI); Apple Inc.; International Business Machines Corporation (IBM); Atmel Corporation; Leadcore Technology Co. Ltd.; Amlogic Inc.; Nufront; Ingenic Semiconductor Co. Ltd.; Advanced Micro Devices Inc.; Marvell Technology Group Ltd.; Renesas Electronics Corporation; Infineon Technologies AG; NXP Semiconductors N.V.; STMicroelectronics N.V.; Microchip Technology Inc.; Analog Devices Inc.; ON Semiconductor Corporation; Cypress Semiconductor Corporation; Xilinx Inc.; Altera Corporation; Silicon Laboratories Inc.; Cavium Inc.; Integrated Device Technology Inc.; LSI Corporation; Maxim Integrated Products Inc.; PMC-Sierra Inc.; Semtech Corporation; Zilog Inc.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: Word, PDF or Interactive Report
• + Excel Dashboard
• Added Benefits
• Bi-Annual Data Update
• Customisation
• Expert Consultant Support

Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.