Global IT spending will increase by 5.3% to $3.4 trillion during 2010, according to research by industry analyst Gartner, with computer hardware and IT services demonstrating the strongest growth.

This is in contrast to the 4.5% contraction witnessed last year and demonstrates to which appetite for new, IT-based services has returned. During 2009, the worldwide amount spent on hardware was particularly badly impacted, slumping by 12.5%. IT services and computer software saw declines of 4% and 2.5%, respectively.

According to Gartner’s research, hardware and IT services will enjoy spending growth of 5.7% apiece, while software and telecoms will both benefit from increases of approximately 5.1%.

“Computing hardware suffered the steepest spending decline of the four major IT spending category segments in 2009,” said George Shiffler, research director at Gartner. “However, it is now forecast to enjoy the joint strongest rebound in 2010.”