MEMS Sensors and Actuators Market: Strong Momentum with a CAGR of Around 7.5% Over the Next Five Years

Meta Description: This article explores the MEMS sensors and actuators market with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.5% from 2025 to 2030. It reviews the historical peak of USD 9.7 billion in 2016, the growth driven by IoT and wearable devices, and the prospects of accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors and other segments. Nexisense supports high-precision industrial sensing innovation.

Keywords: MEMS sensors, MEMS actuators, sensor market growth rate, compound annual growth rate, IoT sensors, wearable device sensors, pressure sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetic field sensors, microelectromechanical systems, industrial IoT, Nexisense

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, with its micrometer-scale precision manufacturing, high level of integration, and extremely low power consumption, has long become the “invisible heart” of modern electronic devices. In 2016, MEMS product sales reached USD 9.7 billion, up 15.4% year-on-year, setting a record high at that time. Shipment volume reached as high as 98 trillion units, accounting for nearly half of total sensor and actuator shipments. Among them, 82% of revenue came from MEMS semiconductor devices such as inkjet print heads, microfluidic chips, micromirror arrays, and RF filters. These devices enable precise interaction between mechanical structures and electrical signals within extremely small spaces, laying a solid foundation for subsequent explosive growth.

Although growth slowed to around 5% during 2014–2015 due to inventory cycles and declining average selling prices, the rapid development of the Internet of Things, wearable devices, and intelligent embedded control quickly reversed the situation, pushing the MEMS market into a new upward cycle.

Historical Review: From Recovery to Takeoff

The strong 15.4% growth in 2016 resulted from the convergence of multiple favorable factors: inventory digestion was completed, market demand recovered, and emerging applications broke out simultaneously. The overall sensors and actuators market benefited significantly as a result. Wearable devices drove surging demand for miniature, low-power motion and environmental sensors; IoT nodes pursued low-cost, large-scale deployment; and automotive electronics and industrial automation continuously raised requirements for precision control.

Industry research firm IC Insights predicted at the time that total sensor and actuator sales would reach USD 10.5 billion in 2017, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.9%. More importantly, the compound annual growth rate for the 2016–2021 period was expected to reach 8.0%, expanding the market to USD 14.3 billion. Within this, the sensor segment was projected to achieve a CAGR of approximately 7.5%, with 2021 sales approaching USD 10.1 billion; the actuator segment was expected to grow even faster at 8.4%, reaching nearly USD 6.8 billion.

Sub-segments performed particularly well: accelerometers and angular rate sensors saw a 9% increase in unit shipments, generating USD 3.0 billion in revenue; magnetic field sensors and electronic compass chips grew 8%, with USD 2.0 billion in sales; pressure sensors grew 8%, reaching USD 2.7 billion; and actuators overall grew 8%, with sales of USD 4.9 billion. These figures clearly illustrate MEMS’ trajectory from consumer electronics into multi-industry penetration.

The microscopic structures of MEMS chips are truly impressive. These silicon-based precision mechanical elements form the core of sensors:

Driving Forces: Dual Engines of IoT and Emerging Applications

The long-term expansion of the MEMS market relies on two major engines: the Internet of Things and wearable / intelligent devices.

In the IoT era, every connected node requires real-time “senses” to collect data. With their small size, low power consumption, and controllable costs, MEMS devices are an ideal choice. From temperature and humidity monitoring in smart homes, to predictive maintenance in Industry 4.0 equipment, and to environmental sensing in smart cities, MEMS sensors quietly support the data front end.

Wearable devices further amplify demand. Smartwatches and fitness trackers continuously monitor motion trajectories, heart rate, and barometric altitude, directly driving massive shipments of high-precision inertial sensors (accelerometers plus gyroscopes) and pressure sensors. The automotive industry is also accelerating its transformation: trends such as ADAS, autonomous driving, and electrification significantly increase the number of MEMS sensors installed per vehicle.

The MEMS inertial sensors inside smartphones are highly integrated, enabling multi-dimensional motion tracking within a tiny chip:

The deployment of MEMS pressure sensors in automotive tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) ensures driving safety and efficiency:

Outlook for the Next Five Years: The Practical Basis for a 7.5% CAGR

As of 2025, the MEMS sensors and actuators market has entered a stage of mature growth. Based on the latest industry reports, the overall sensor market CAGR for 2025–2030 generally falls within the 7%–10% range. As a core sub-segment, MEMS sensors are expected to maintain a steady growth rate of around 7.5%.

This figure is not arbitrary. The global MEMS market has already grown from around USD 10 billion in 2016 to approximately USD 16–17 billion by 2024–2025. Multiple institutions forecast that it will reach USD 22–35 billion by 2030, with CAGR estimates ranging from 4.6% to 11%. Among these, inertial sensors, pressure sensors, and environmental sensors continue to lead, benefiting from vehicle electrification, industrial automation, and consumer electronics upgrades. The actuator segment is growing slightly faster, driven by new breakthroughs in microfluidics, RF, and optical MEMS for 5G, medical diagnostics, and optical communications.

Applications of MEMS inertial sensors in drones and robots demonstrate their central role in precise motion control:

China’s Opportunities and Local Innovation Practices

With the world’s largest electronics manufacturing base and a complete industrial chain, China holds significant advantages in the MEMS field. From wafer fabrication to packaging and testing, and then to downstream applications, Chinese companies are accelerating their布局 in high-precision sensors. Against the backdrop of global supply chain restructuring, local brands have the opportunity to capture greater market share in industrial-grade, automotive-grade, and consumer-grade markets.

Nexisense focuses on industrial-grade, high-performance MEMS sensors and force/torque sensing solutions. Our joint torque sensors, six-axis force sensors, and safety proximity sensors have been deployed at scale in collaborative robots, precision manufacturing, and intelligent equipment. With high resolution, low latency, and strong anti-interference capabilities, these products help customers achieve reliable force control and safety perception in harsh environments.

The dense deployment of MEMS sensors on smart factory automated production lines highlights their critical value in the industrial Internet of Things:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between MEMS sensors and traditional sensors?
MEMS sensors use semiconductor micromachining processes to achieve micrometer-level integration. They are smaller, consume less power, and offer better cost efficiency in mass production, making them especially suitable for wearable devices and IoT applications.

What are the main growth drivers of the sensor market over the next five years?
The explosive growth of IoT devices, the electrification of vehicles and the widespread adoption of ADAS, the rise of wearable health monitoring, and Industry 4.0’s demand for predictive maintenance.

Is a 7.5% compound growth rate conservative?
Based on current industry reports, overall sensor market CAGR mostly ranges between 7% and 10%. A 7.5% estimate represents a steady and rational outlook that fully considers the slowdown typical of mature markets.

What competitive advantages do Chinese companies have in the MEMS field?
A complete supply chain, large-scale manufacturing capabilities, and deep understanding of local industrial and consumer scenarios make it easier for Chinese companies to achieve rapid iteration and cost optimization.

Conclusion

From the historical peak of USD 9.7 billion in 2016 to today’s global market worth hundreds of billions of dollars, MEMS sensors and actuators have proven the immense potential of miniaturization through real-world performance. The approximately 7.5% compound growth rate projected for the next five years is both a rational forecast and an inevitable outcome of converging trends such as IoT, automotive intelligence, and industrial automation.

In this process, continuous innovation in sensing technology will determine who stands out. Nexisense is willing to work together with partners across the value chain, using more reliable and intelligent sensor solutions to drive MEMS from a “core technology” into the everyday reality of “everything connected.” Sensing the world starts at the micrometer scale; the future has already arrived, right now.