Global IT spend to touch $3.4 trn in 2010: Gartner

Worldwide IT spending would reach $3.4 trillion in 2010, a 4.6 per cent increase from 2009, IT research and advisory firm Gartner has forecast.

A slow but steady improvement in the macroeconomic environment in 2010 should support a return to modest growth in overall IT spending, it said.

Although modest, this projected growth represents a significant improvement from 2009, when worldwide IT spending declined 4.6 per cent. All major segments (computing hardware, software, IT services, telecom, and telecom services) are expected to grow in 2010.

IT spending growth in emerging markets (with the exception of central and eastern Europe and some of the Gulf states) is expected to lead the way, with spending forecast to grow 9.3 per cent in Latin America, 7.7 per cent in the Middle East and Africa and seven per cent in Asia/Pacific.

Recovery in Western Europe, the US and Japan would start more slowly, with Western Europe increasing 5.2 per cent, the US growing 2.5 per cent, and Japan increasing 1.8 per cent.