A UNESCO report titled “The Quantum Divide” warns of rising global inequality in the race for next-generation science.
The Quantum Divide
The “quantum divide” is blocking the worldwide South from taking part in the next big technological revolution, according to a historic research published by UNESCO on Tuesday. The survey also highlighted a “stark” and growing disparity in the worldwide scientific landscape. The Quantum Moment, a Global Report, emphasizes that although quantum physics has the potential to solve some of humanity’s most difficult problems, its advantages are presently concentrated in the hands of a small number of affluent countries.
The results show that one in three researchers globally do not presently have access to quantum research facilities, which significantly impedes advancement in vital areas including cybersecurity, healthcare, and climate modeling. The geographic distribution of scientific activity is where the difference is most noticeable: over the last year, conferences, seminars, and hackathons related to quantum research were held in seven times as many countries in Europe and North America as in Africa.
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A Revolution at risk
Information processing in computers has changed due to quantum technology. Quantum computers can assess several alternatives simultaneously, unlike conventional computers that do so sequentially. Experts liken this to working out a maze by assessing all possible pathways at once.
Processing power expansion may transform drug research, climate modeling with unprecedented precision, and cybersecurity. These shifts might worsen global inequality without “deliberate and coordinated action,” according to UNESCO.
The article says that “a stark global divide is limiting who can contribute to quantum technology advances,” suggesting that worldwide South researchers lack crucial infrastructure.
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Entry Barriers: Expenses and Insufficient Planning
Financial and structural issues are the main obstacles to joining the quantum age. According to the study, two-thirds of researchers believe that a significant barrier to undertaking research is the high cost of equipment. Global public and corporate investment in quantum technology reached an astounding $55.7 billion as of mid-2025, yet this money is concentrated in a limited number of economies.
Moreover, there is a big policy gap. Since more than 150 nations have not yet implemented a national quantum strategy, they lack a plan for incorporating these technologies into their economic or national security systems. The potential for new technology to handle regional issues like cybersecurity or climate-resilient agriculture is limited by this lack of planning.
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The Gender Pipeline Issue
The survey identifies a “persistent gender gap” in the profession that goes beyond geographical differences. Women make up around 42% of early-career participation in quantum scientific events, but as they advance in their careers, their proportion declines.
According to the findings, women hold just 12% of leadership roles in quantum-related domains and only 16% of senior researcher posts. This “leaky pipeline” implies that institutional constraints still keep varied talent from rising to the top of the scientific community, even in nations with access to technology.
A Roadmap for Inclusion
The Global Quantum Initiative (2026–2028) was initiated by UNESCO in response to these results. To ensure that no nation is left out of influencing the direction of the technology, this framework is intended to foster a more ethical, inclusive quantum ecosystem.
The Remote Access to Lab Equipment Initiative is one workable approach now underway. Through this initiative, researchers from the Global South can access state-of-the-art infrastructure from their native nations. For instance, researchers are now working on medication development and illness modeling issues that are particularly pertinent to their home areas utilizing the IBM Quantum System One in Cleveland, USA, the first quantum computer in the world dedicated to healthcare.
According to UNESCO, the world cannot wait for each country to construct its own quantum facilities for millions of dollars. Rather, the objective is to “remove the infrastructure barrier” by making current facilities accessible to the world’s scientific community.
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The Way Forward
The study is the first thorough evaluation of the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), based on data from over 1,300 events in 83 countries and a poll of around 600 experts. Over 1.2 million individuals participated in the IYQ, but the underlying data shows that interest in the topic is significantly greater than many countries’ real capacity to do so.
To prevent the impending quantum age from exacerbating historical divisions, the conclusions conclude with an urgent appeal for worldwide cooperation. Only a small portion of the world’s population may profit from the “Quantum Moment” if there isn’t a worldwide push to democratize access to strategic planning, training, and equipment.
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