Meet the Challenges
from COVID-19 Head On

Anticipate Market Changes and Keep Business Moving


The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is impacting the global economy at nearly every level and IT markets will not be spared. Based on early indicators from the first quarter, IDC expects to see a significant slowdown in spending during the first half of 2020 as the crisis reverberates through all sectors of the economy. The outlook for the second half of the year, and beyond, remains uncertain as the scope of the virus and its impact on production, supply chains, and demand will determine when the recovery phase begins and how quickly it progresses.

In the weeks and months ahead IDC will continuously update our market data and outlook to reflect our best understanding of what is happening in IT markets worldwide to ensure that our customers have the information they need to make critical business decisions.

Special Customer Access to COVID-19 Research and Data
IDC Covid-19 Tech Index

The IDC COVID-19 Tech Index is a leading indicator for IT spending, which is designed to provide rapid updates to changes in buyer sentiment and underlying market indicators before these are factored into official market and macroeconomic forecasts.

The Index is based on surveys of enterprise IT buyers around the world, who are asked to provide guidance on a variety of factors including general business confidence, overall IT spending plans and specific changes to budget allocations for individual technologies.

Additionally, the index score is weighted with a composite of 'market indicators' which includes macroeconomic forecasts adjusted every two weeks and calibrated with inputs relating to medical data, social isolation measures and the impact of government stimulus in order that the index score can move more quickly than traditional forecasts.

The Index is based on a scale whereby a score higher than 1000 indicates growth in IT spending, while a score below 1000 indicates a decline. It is not a replacement for traditional forecasts, which account for a more detailed set of assumptions and inputs. It will provide an early-warning directional dashboard for future changes in market sentiment and growth, which will be an input for the next round of IT market forecasts that IDC publishes every month.

IDC COVID-19 Tech Index - Worldwide

May 20, 2020 Update

  • Leading indicators are bottoming out (for now) in most countries

  • Next phase will be either start of recovery or second wave crisis

Source: IDC COVID-19 Tech Index, May 20, 2020 Update

IDC Covid-19 Tech Index

The IDC COVID-19 Tech Index is a leading indicator for IT spending, which is designed to provide rapid updates to changes in buyer sentiment and underlying market indicators before these are factored into official market and macroeconomic forecasts.

The Index is based on surveys of enterprise IT buyers around the world, who are asked to provide guidance on a variety of factors including general business confidence, overall IT spending plans and specific changes to budget allocations for individual technologies.

Additionally, the index score is weighted with a composite of 'market indicators' which includes macroeconomic forecasts adjusted every two weeks and calibrated with inputs relating to medical data, social isolation measures and the impact of government stimulus in order that the index score can move more quickly than traditional forecasts.

The Index is based on a scale whereby a score higher than 1000 indicates growth in IT spending, while a score below 1000 indicates a decline. It is not a replacement for traditional forecasts, which account for a more detailed set of assumptions and inputs. It will provide an early-warning directional dashboard for future changes in market sentiment and growth, which will be an input for the next round of IT market forecasts that IDC publishes every month.

IDC COVID-19 Tech Index - Regional

May 20, 2020 Update

  • Buyer confidence continues to plunge in the US, even as some firms prepare to reopen

  • European firms in countries including Germany are more confident than 2 weeks ago

  • China and other AP countries continue to show improving confidence levels

Source: IDC COVID-19 Tech Index, May 20, 2020 Update

IDC’s Worldwide Black Book Live Edition
IDC’s Worldwide Black Book Live Edition is the industry standard for up to date global IT forecasts. It includes monthly analysis of the status and projected growth of the worldwide ICT industry in 100 countries and is the benchmark for consistent, detailed market data across six continents. Learn More
Coronavirus Impact:

Worldwide IT Spending Forecasts

Worldwide YoY IT Spending Growth, April 2020
(% constant currency)

Includes IT spending only; excludes telecom spending and new categories


Source: IDC’s Worldwide Black Book: Live Edition (April 2020)

IDC’s Worldwide Black Book Live Edition
IDC’s Worldwide Black Book Live Edition is the industry standard for up to date global IT forecasts. It includes monthly analysis of the status and projected growth of the worldwide ICT industry in 100 countries and is the benchmark for consistent, detailed market data across six continents. Learn More
Coronavirus Impact:

IT Spending 2020-2023

Worldwide IT Spending YoY Growth,
April 2020 Forecast

Includes IT spending only; excludes telecom spending and new categories


Source: IDC’s Worldwide Black Book: Live Edition (April 2020)

IDC’s Worldwide Black Book Live Edition
IDC’s Worldwide Black Book Live Edition is the industry standard for up to date global IT forecasts. It includes monthly analysis of the status and projected growth of the worldwide ICT industry in 100 countries and is the benchmark for consistent, detailed market data across six continents. Learn More
Coronavirus Impact:

IT Spending by Technology 2020

Worldwide YoY 2020 Growth (constant currency),
April Forecasts

Includes IT spending only; excludes telecom spending and new categories


Source: IDC’s Worldwide Black Book: Live Edition (April 2020)

New IDC Video Podcast: Work Transformation in the Era of COVID-19

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Featured Press Releases

IDC Partners with TrustRadius to Deliver Essential New Webinar Series: Crisis through Recovery

May 22, 2020


International Data Corporation (IDC ), the premier global provider of market intelligence and advisory services, today announced a strategic partnership with TrustRadius, the most trusted customer voice and insights platform, to deliver a new webinar series, Crisis through Recovery. Through this series and new partnership, attendees will benefit from the combined market research and real-life insights needed to effectively navigate the next phase of this pandemic and successfully lead their IT organization to recovery.

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IT Spending Indicators May Be Bottoming Out for Now but US Business Confidence Continues to Plunge, According to IDC COVID-19 Tech Index

May 21, 2020

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New IDC Spending Guide Shows Continued Growth for Digital Transformation in 2020, Despite the Challenges Presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic

May 20, 2020

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Public Cloud Proves an Exception to the Rule as Spending Grows Following COVID-19 Outbreak

May 20, 2020

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Featured Webinars

Shifting Customer Requirements Dictate Needed New IT Capabilities

Joseph Pucciarelli, Megan Headley

June 24, 2020


Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth, famously said Mike Tyson. This pandemic is not a scenario most organizations planned for, but with the resilience, energy, and optimism that have characterized IT from its inception, people, organizations, and economies are responding by adapting, re-imagining, and reinventing their products, services, and delivery models. Most importantly, these "outputs" require new and changed capabilities, processes, and technologies.

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Future of Connectedness: Collaborating in the New Reality

Eren Eser, Carrie MacGillivray, and Guest Speakers

June 16, 2020

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A CIO Guide for Restarting Now

Joseph Pucciarelli, Megan Headley

June 10, 2020

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State of the Market: IT Spending and COVID-19 Tech Index Update

Stephen Minton

June 9, 2020

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Featured Blogs

COVID-19’s Impact on the Gaming Market

Lewis Ward

May 27, 2020


COVID-19 has had an uneven effect on the gaming industry. Explore the challenges and opportunities with IDC's Lewis Ward.

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Frank Della Rosa

May 26, 2020

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COVID-19 Workforce Disruption: Supporting Remote and Non-Remote Workforces with Complimentary Software and Services from HCM/HXM Suppliers

Laura Becker

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Rebecca Segal

May 22, 2020

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Featured Research

What Are the Primary Reasons IT Spending/Budgets Will Increase in Response to COVID-19?

Heather West

May 27, 2020 | Doc #US46380920


This IDC Survey Spotlight provides insights into the top reasons end users expect IT spending and budgets will increase in response to COVID-19./safeworkplace, the Safe Workplace app suite is powered by the Now Platform. The applications will have a roadmap and future product investment, and mobile access.

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What does the New Normal Look Like for Healthcare after COVID-19?

Guilia Besana, Silvia Piai

May 27, 2020 | Doc #EUR146392419

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Winning or Losing: The Now and Future Normal for Customer Experience in Banking with COVID-19

David Wallace

May 26, 2020 | Doc #lcUS46377520

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IDC Survey: Automation and Productivity in the COVID-19 Era

Amy Loomis, Holly Muscolino

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