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P P r r e e s s s s R R e e l l e e a a s s e e
Ministry of Knowledge Economy
January 9, 2011
IT Trade Figures for 2011
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy has released its IT trade figures for 2011.
The national trade balance in the information technology sector recorded
$75.45 billion. Even amid unfavorable external factors—for example, the global financial crisis and heavy flooding in Thailand—IT exports rose 2 percent year on year to $156.97 billion, setting a record for the second consecutive year.
2011 2010
December Whole Year December Whole Year
Exports
All Industries
$49.66 billion (12.5%)
$557.77 billion (19.6%)
$44.15 billion (22.6%)
$466.38 billion (28.3%) IT Industry
$12.60 billion (- 3.4%)
$156.97 billion (2.0%)
$13.04 billion (15.5%)
$153.94 billion
(27.3%)
Imports
All Industries
$45.67 billion (14.0%)
$524.46 billion (23.3%)
$40.06 billion (21.7%)
$425.21 billion (31.6%) IT Industry $6.66
billion (- 3.9%)
$81.52 billion (7.8%)
$6.93 billion (21.8%)
$75.62 billion (21.9%)
Trade Balance
All
Industries $3.99
billion $33.31
billion $4.09
billion $41.17 billion
IT Industry $5.94
billion $75.45
billion $6.11
billion $78.32 billion
- Figures for the year 2011 are tentative.
- Year-on-year growth rates shown in parentheses.
Thanks to robust exports of smartphones, system semiconductors and tablet computers, IT exports saw a 2 percent year-on-year increase in 2011. With a surge in smartphone exports, outbound shipments of mobile phones turned positive for the first time in three years. In addition, Korea’s mobile sector ranked first in terms of market share. Despite the contraction of the global market, exports of 3D and smart televisions remained resilient largely on the
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strength of a strong performance in emerging markets. Outbound shipments of system semiconductors drove the nation’s export growth, posting a record $20 billion. Notably, tablet computers made their debut as one of Korea’s eight major export items with a 180 percent increase to $1.89 billion.
Major IT Export Items for 2011
Value of Exports Year-on-Year Growth
Mobile Phones $25.06 billion 0.7%
Household
Devices $5.01 billion 11.2%
Semiconductors $50.15 billion - 1.1%
Display Panels $31.39 billion - 7.1%
Computers and
Related Devices $7.65 billion - 0.8%
Televisions $7.81 billion 4.8%
Exports to China, Japan and ASEAN rose 6.5 percent, 6.8 percent and 10.1 percent, respectively. At the same time, outbound shipments to the United States, the European Union and Oceania declined.
Exports to Key Trading Partners for 2011
Value of Exports Year-on-Year Growth
China $73.9 billion 6.5%
Japan $8.4 billion 6.8%
United States $17.7 billion - 4.2%
European Union $14.5 billion - 22.9%
Oceania $1.0 billion - 0.8%
Latin America $8.4 billion 0.2%
Middle East $4.6 billion 19.7%
Meanwhile, IT imports climbed 7.8 percent year on year to $81.52 billion on the back of strong demand for mobile phones and network equipment. Inbound shipments of electronic components, which accounted for more than half of all imports, posted double-digit growth: 15.2 percent to $46.59 billion.
* Released by the Electronics and IT Policy Division
