Europe will be the strongest growing region for IT spending this year, according to a study by market research firm Forrester Research.

It indicates while global IT spending is forecast to rise 8.1% in 2010 to more than $1.6tn (€1.1tr), following an 8.9% decline in 2009; Europe will be strongest, particularly central and western countries. Technology purchases in those areas are expected to rise by 11.2%, boosted by the dollar's decline against the euro.

This compares favourably to the report's figures for IT purchases in Canada, (9.9%), Asia Pacific (7.8%) and Latin America by (7.7%). The study also shows that U.S. IT spending is projected to grow 6.6% to $568bn (€392bn) in 2010 after an 8.2% decline in 2009.

According to Forrester, the weakest market will be Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, rising by just 2.4%, Forrester.

It also believes that software and computer hardware will see the greatest growth in 2010, predicting the start of a multi-year cycle of technology investment growth and innovation defined by smart computing.

www.forrester.com