The total global tablet market exceeded 32m shipments in Q3, 2012 – a year-on-year growth of 75 per cent. Thats according to a report from Futuresource Consulting, which expects that number to hit 137m units shipped in 2012.

According to Futuresources forecast, the tablet market will grow almost threefold over the next five years, to reach 352 million units shipped by 2016, driven largely by falling prices.

“The average trade price per unit is currently down below $370, representing a 24 per cent drop in price year on year,” said Futuresource head of consumer electronics, Simon Bryant. “Despite this price erosion, the overall value of the tablet market will continue to climb, and prospects for the industry are extremely positive, with strong growth throughout the forecast period to 2016.” 

The US continues to lead the way in terms of tablet adoption. It accounts for 43 per cent of global ownership, and Futuresource expects its installed base to approach 90m devices by the end of 2012. 

By comparison, Europe has been slower on the tablet uptake, with device numbers closing in on 45m by the end of the year across the continent. An estimated 6.4m tablets will be sold in the UK alone by the end of the year, however, nearly double the number sold last year.