A persistent global RAM shortage is expected to continue through 2027, as manufacturers struggle to meet rising demand for smartphones, personal computers, and critical artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Key Points

• DRAM manufacturers are projected to meet only 60% of global demand by the end of 2027.
• The supply deficit impacts a wide range of hardware, including servers, laptops, and mobile devices.
• High memory costs are driving up retail prices for consumer electronics and squeezing manufacturer profit margins.
• Enterprise procurement is facing significant delays as companies struggle to forecast component costs and delivery timelines.
• The shortage is structural, meaning increased production capacity is currently insufficient to close the multi-year supply gap.

Why it Matters

This ongoing memory bottleneck creates significant uncertainty for both consumer electronics pricing and large-scale data center expansion. By limiting hardware availability and inflating costs, the shortage forces businesses to delay critical infrastructure upgrades and complicates long-term product planning.