Forrester

Why Read This Report

CIOs tracking broader tech market trends to see where their firms stand face a mixed picture, depending on their location. On a global basis, the European recession and weakening economic growth in the US, China, India, and Latin America will take a toll on tech market growth in 2012, leading to a downward revision in our global tech market forecast to 3.6% (from 5.4% in 2011) growth in local currencies. A strengthening US dollar means that tech market growth measured in US dollars will be even weaker, at 1.3%. But only European firms are facing lower tech buying; elsewhere, we expect firms will grow their 2012 tech purchases — by 2% to 5% in North America and Japan and 7% to 9% in emerging markets. While risks of a worse economic picture exist, we expect economic policy makers will do enough to avoid a global financial crisis and recession, thus keeping tech buying in positive territory and setting the stage for stronger growth in 2013.