Quantum Computing Could Generate Up to $2.7 Trillion in Global Economic Value by 2035, McKinsey Report Says

Quantum computing is projected to create between $1.3 trillion and $2.7 trillion in worldwide economic value by 2035, according to a recent report by McKinsey & Company. The technology is transitioning from experimental research toward commercial applications, with more than 300 organizations globally already collaborating with quantum technology providers.

Equity investment in the sector has seen a sharp increase, rising from $2.5 billion in 2024 to $13.3 billion in 2025. Additionally, the combined revenue of quantum computing companies surpassed $1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach up to $4.4 billion by 2028.

The global market for quantum computing hardware, software, and services is estimated to reach between $60 billion and $100 billion by 2035. Within the same timeframe, the quantum communication market could reach $11 billion to $15 billion, while quantum sensing is expected to scale to between $7 billion and $10 billion.

McKinsey's analysis identifies several industries poised to benefit significantly. By 2035, quantum computing could unlock up to $400 billion in value for the pharmaceutical sector and up to $800 billion for the chemicals industry. Other sectors expected to see applications include cybersecurity and robotics. The technology may also assist in addressing the computing and energy constraints currently impacting the expansion of artificial intelligence.

Despite this growth, the report cautions that the timeline for widespread adoption remains uncertain due to manufacturing constraints, shortages of specialized talent, and a lack of industry consensus regarding which technological approach will scale most effectively.

Businesses that delay investment risk losing access to crucial intellectual property, talent, and partnerships necessary to remain competitive. Furthermore, the report warns of impending security risks, noting that sufficiently advanced quantum computers could eventually break the public-key encryption systems currently used to protect sensitive data.

To prepare, McKinsey recommends that companies focus on building partnerships, testing potential use cases, and developing internal expertise ahead of the commercial availability of large-scale quantum systems. The firm outlines a development trajectory moving from early commercial adoption toward competitive positioning by 2035, followed by a broader quantum-enabled economy by 2040.

"The transition of quantum computing from experimental projects to commercial viability represents a major shift for the global technology ecosystem. With equity investments scaling significantly between 2024 and 2025, enterprises must look beyond short-term operational hurdles. Forward-thinking companies need to invest strategically in talent, technical partnerships, and intellectual property today to navigate future cybersecurity vulnerabilities and capture early advantages in high-value sectors like pharmaceuticals and chemicals." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes