Government Spending on Quantum Technology Is About $3.3 Billion a Year in Plans and Budgets

Governments have announced or budgeted about $3.3 billion a year of public money for quantum technology, counted under one rule and traced to their own documents. The United States, Germany and the United Kingdom lead in published spending figures. China, which may spend more than any of them, publishes nothing that can be checked, creating uncertainty about actual global investment levels in this strategic technology sector.

Key Details

The United States has signed or announced about $3.4 billion for quantum in 2026. France runs PROQCIMA, a defence programme to buy quantum computers, with a first phase worth €60 million from 2024 to 2026 and a second phase from 2026 to 2028 capped at €150 million. The European Union's Quantum Flagship was set up in 2018 at the €1 billion level over ten years, about $113 million a year.

Why It Matters

Understanding government investment patterns in quantum technology provides insight into national strategic priorities and the perceived importance of this emerging field. The disparity between published and actual spending, particularly regarding China's investments, creates challenges for assessing global competition and collaboration opportunities in quantum research and development.

Context

The data reveals different national approaches to quantum technology investment, with some countries emphasizing transparency through published budgets while others maintain opacity about their spending levels. This variability affects international efforts to benchmark progress and identify potential areas for cooperation in quantum science and technology development.