Quantum investment nears $11 billion as U.S. and China compete

Investment is rising, but quantum computing remains early

The second annual Quantum Index Report examines quantum funding, research and patents worldwide, using 2025 data with selected 2026 updates. Researchers from MIT IDE and Accenture say the findings show a growing industrial, economic and geopolitical focus on the technology.

Commercially available quantum processors increased from 40 to 56 in one year, as of August 2026. The processors came from 24 manufacturers in 11 countries. The U.S. had 23 commercially available processors, followed by China with 6. The report says no hardware type has emerged as a clear frontrunner.

Despite the hardware growth, the report cautions that “most experts agree that quantum computers remain below the capabilities of classical computers for all useful tasks today.” Early business cases identified in the report include optimization, simulation and secure communications.

Most of the 2025 funding increase went to established companies. Financing for already-public companies reached $5.7 billion, while late-stage venture rounds accounted for $2.3 billion. “Capital is now concentrating in relatively mature quantum players rather than new entrants,” according to the report.

U.S. and China lead on different measures

The report presents the quantum competition between the U.S. and China as a race without a single leader. China filed 9,790 quantum computing patents in 2025, roughly four times the U.S. total of 2,423. The report says patent filings do not measure quality, however.

The U.S. led in research influence, with an H-index of 93 compared with 56 for China. In quantum communications, China led in output, influence and citation impact. It produced 35.8% of research from 2021 to 2025, compared with 12.2% for the U.S.

Governments are also treating quantum as a national security priority. U.S. Department of Defense awards mentioning quantum reached $285.3 million in 2025, about 49% above 2024. The report identifies sensing, navigation and secure communications as the most mature near-term military uses.

The United Kingdom committed up to £2 billion to quantum, including up to £1 billion to buy commercial-scale quantum computers. Spain, Finland, Italy, the Czech Republic and Chile launched national quantum strategies. A June 2026 U.S. executive order shifted national strategy toward commercialization and industry partnerships.

Jobs and education expand as public confidence falls

Demand for quantum skills in the U.S. is growing. The share of job postings requiring those skills has increased more than fivefold since 2011 and reached a record in early 2026. The report says the rise in skill-specific postings suggests employers are moving beyond general interest in the word “quantum.”

Dedicated quantum master’s programs grew from 68 to 83 worldwide. Austria, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Hungary and India launched their first such programs in 2026.

Public support for quantum research funding remains strong, but confidence in government oversight has weakened. In a December 2025 survey, agreement that the government could be trusted to control quantum companies fell from 63% in 2024 to 44% in 2025, among respondents who took a side. Support for government research funding fell from 77% to 69%, while support for company funding fell from 82% to 79%.

For users and the wider market, the report points to expanding investment, training and infrastructure rather than immediate advantages over conventional computers. The findings suggest that decisions made now about funding and workforce development will influence how quantum computing develops and who benefits from it.