University of Kwazulu-Natal

Quantum Computing 2025 Practical Applications Future Prospects

Bonisiwe Shabane
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quantum computing 2025 practical applications future prospects

When it comes to quantum technology (QT), investment is surging and breakthroughs are multiplying. The United Nations has designated 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, celebrating 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics. Our research confirms that QT is gaining widespread traction worldwide. McKinsey’s fourth annual Quantum Technology Monitor covers last year’s breakthroughs, investment trends, and emerging opportunities in this fast-evolving landscape. In 2024, the QT industry saw a shift from growing quantum bits (qubits) to stabilizing qubits—and that marks a turning point. It signals to mission-critical industries that QT could soon become a safe and reliable component of their technology infrastructure.

To that end, this year’s report provides a special deep dive into the fast-growing market of quantum communication, which could unlock the security needed for widespread QT uptake. Quantum technology encompasses three subfields: Our new research shows that the three core pillars of QT—quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing—could together generate up to $97 billion in revenue worldwide by 2035. Quantum computing will capture the bulk of that revenue, growing from $4 billion in revenue in 2024 to as much as $72 billion in 2035 (see sidebar “What is quantum technology?”). While QT will affect many industries, the chemicals, life sciences, finance, and mobility industries will see the most growth. McKinsey initiated its annual quantum technology report in 2021 to track the rapidly evolving quantum technology landscape.

We analyze three principal areas of the field: quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing. The analysis is based on input from various sources, including publicly available data, expert interviews, and proprietary McKinsey analyses. The conclusions and estimations have been cross-checked across market databases and validated through investor reports, press releases, and expert input. Because not all deal values are publicly disclosed and databases are updated continuously, our research does not provide a definitive or exhaustive list of start-ups, funding activities, investment splits, or patents and publications. Quantum technology in 2025 transitioned from research to practical industry applications, driving measurable business value. Hybrid quantum-classical solutions, quantum sensing, and quantum-safe cryptography are enabling domain-specific, real-world optimizations.

Investment and enterprise adoption surged, signaling 2025 as a turning point for commercial quantum technology. What was once a niche scientific curiosity is now delivering measurable value. In 2025, quantum technology made a leap from lab benches to industry boardrooms and production lines. Companies report quantum-inspired gains in telecom networks, logistics optimization, AI-hybrid systems, and sensing technologies. With major players aligning hardware roadmaps, enterprise pilots scaling up, and investment flooding the ecosystem, this year has undoubtedly earned the label of the ‘real-world quantum’ inflection point. Quantum computing is emerging as one of the most transformative technologies of this decade.

In 2024, quantum innovation has shifted from theoretical exploration to practical experimentation, with startups, governments, and tech giants alike investing in scalable quantum hardware and quantum-as-a-service (QaaS) platforms. This report explores the Quantum computing trends 2025, including the latest breakthroughs, real-world applications gaining traction, the evolving startup ecosystem, and the challenges hindering mass adoption. It also highlights the societal, business, and strategic implications of integrating quantum systems into modern digital infrastructure. Quantum computing, once confined to academic laboratories and theoretical physics, is rapidly becoming a practical tool in enterprise and research. Unlike classical computers that use bits, quantum computers use qubits capable of representing multiple states simultaneously—unlocking massive parallel processing potential. As quantum hardware improves and cloud-accessible quantum platforms gain momentum, 2024 marks a pivotal year in the transition of quantum computing from niche science to startup acceleration and industrial experimentation.

These trends parallel developments in adjacent fields. If you’re interested in real-world applications, also explore AI for Business and Machine Learning with Python. Recent years have witnessed rapid progress in the development of quantum systems. Key technological advancements in 2024 include:

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