Global Memory Market to Hit $1 Trillion in 2026 as AI Server Demand Quadruples Revenue
Updated
Updated · BusinessKorea · Jun 19
Global Memory Market to Hit $1 Trillion in 2026 as AI Server Demand Quadruples Revenue
3 articles · Updated · BusinessKorea · Jun 19
Summary
Counterpoint Research forecasts global memory revenue at 1,500 trillion won, or about $1 trillion, this year, up 4.2 times from 360 trillion won in 2025.
North American AI infrastructure buildouts are driving a sharp jump in demand for server DRAM and NAND, pushing server products' share of memory sales to 56% from 37% last year.
That shift is expected to keep supply and demand out of balance through the first half of 2027, supporting stronger pricing across the market.
Counterpoint said tight supply and a richer mix of high-value products have lifted commodity DRAM prices per gigabit above HBM, while HBM itself still has room for further price increases.
Is the costly HBM memory driving the AI boom actually a technological 'mistake'?
With AI hoarding memory, are more expensive, less powerful gadgets our new reality?
Will AI's massive energy consumption trigger a global power crisis?
2026 Memory Market Crisis: AI-Driven Demand Triggers Record Shortages, Price Surge, and Global Supply Chain Upheaval
Overview
In 2026, the global memory market is experiencing an unprecedented surge, driven by the explosive growth of AI and aggressive investments from cloud service providers. This has led to a significant expansion in the market, with server memory becoming increasingly critical for powering advanced AI infrastructure. As a result, the proportion of server products in total memory sales has risen sharply, causing severe supply and demand imbalances and escalating memory prices. The rapid growth and structural shift in demand are creating immediate shortages, fundamentally reshaping the industry and challenging procurement teams worldwide.