Europe is poised to see a return to moderate growth in IT spending next year, according to the latest assessment from Forrester Research.

It claims that spending on IT in Europe will increase by six per cent in 2003 following a dip last year.

In the UK, IT spending will also recover next year making it the biggest IT spender in Europe.

No doubt this upbeat assessment from Forrester Research is to be welcomed by anyone who works in the IT sector.

However, while any growth is to be welcomed, Europe’s growth will be overshadowed by double-digit growth in US.

"In spite of economic unity, Europe's IT sector doesn't have the flexibility - as seen in the US sector - needed to get back to double-digit growth after the 2001 dip," said Forrester Senior Analyst Charles Homs.

"With an average population growth of 0.3 percent per annum, European consumers' technology consumption simply can't keep up with the Americans," he said.

Whatever can he mean? ®