Up to 30 million new project professionals are needed to meet global demand by 2035, according to the new Global Project Management Talent Gap report from Project Management Institute (PMI). As the world accelerates into an era defined by economic uncertainty, disruption, and digital transformation, it is clear that project professionals are more essential than ever.
There are almost 40 million project professionals in the global workforce today. To put this in perspective, the global workforce includes approximately 25 million software developers and around 30 million nurses, underscoring the scale and significance of the project management profession. But projected demand is rising sharply, particularly in fast-growing regions like South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and China, where major infrastructure projects, industrial expansion, and digital transformation are creating unprecedented needs for skilled talent.
“Our world is in flux: economically, politically, environmentally”, stated Pierre Le Manh, PMP, President and CEO of PMI. “The need for change is everywhere. And change only happens through successful projects. That makes this a defining moment for project professionals. We don’t just need millions more of them, we need them ready to lead, to deliver, to turn bold ideas into real and sustainable outcomes. The talent gap in our profession isn’t just a workforce issue. It’s a barrier to progress for business and for the future of the world.”
This projection aligns with the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, which identifies project managers as a key role driving net employment growth through 2030 and ranked it as the 12th fastest-growing job role globally. As an essential role in business transformation across regions and industries, project managers are critical to navigating the rapidly evolving global workforce landscape.
Key Takeaways from the Report:
- Up to 29.8 million more project professionals will be needed by 2035 to meet global demand.
- Fastest growth regions include South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and China, fueled by infrastructure investment and digital innovation.
- Sectors under pressure include construction, manufacturing, IT services, and healthcare, with projected demand for project professionals increasing by as high as 66%.
- Mature economies, including North America and Europe, face stalled supply of project professionals due to aging populations and shifting labor force trends.
- The opportunity: Reskilling, upskilling, and opening new career pathways can help close the gap and elevate the profession globally.
“Sub-Saharan Africa will require as many as 4.6 million project professionals by 2035, up from 2.6 million today, a nearly 75% increase that translates into a talent shortfall of roughly 2 million. Addressing the gap will demand scaled investment in professional training and deeper collaboration with universities and governments. Expanding access to globally recognised certifications will be essential to ensuring workforce readiness and building execution capacity on the continent,” says George Asamani, MD, PMI Sub-Saharan Africa.
The report finds that in high-growth markets, transformation is being driven by urgent needs, ranging from infrastructure expansion to rapid digitalisation. Project talent is what makes that transformation possible, enabling organisations to turn complex ambitions into tangible outcomes. In contrast, mature economies face growing challenges as experienced project professionals retire, and delivery models can’t keep pace with evolving business needs. Those who invest in modern project talent today will have a competitive edge tomorrow.
The future is built on projects, but the world faces a critical shortage: skilled project professionals. With demand accelerating across all regions and sectors, project professionals who take ownership beyond delivery, connecting projects to business value and long-term impact, will be indispensable partners to the C-suite and central to the world’s most critical transformations. These trends, along with innovative solutions and regional strategies, will be at the heart of discussions during the PMI Global Summit Series Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, from 19-21 August 2025.
Report Methodology: The current state was calculated by identifying 172 project-related job titles across 180+ countries using LinkedIn Talent Insights data and adjusted for uneven platform adoption.
About Project Management Institute (PMI): PMI is the leading authority in project management, dedicated to guiding the way to project success. Since 1969, PMI has shone a light on the power of project management and the people behind the projects. With a global community, gold-standard professional certifications, and career-long learning opportunities, PMI empowers current and aspiring project professionals, as well as organisations, with knowledge and resources to lead effectively and create an impact in the communities they serve. Join PMI in elevating our world – one project at a time. Connect with us at www.pmi.org, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and on X
