Up to 30 million new project professionals are needed to meet global demand by 2035, according to a recent Global Project Management Talent Gap report by Project Management Institute (PMI).
That study says there are almost 40 million project professionals in the global workforce today. However, the global workforce includes approximately 25 million software developers and around 30 million nurses, underscoring the scale and significance of the project management profession.
Industry expects project a sharp rise in demand for project management professionals, 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.
Pierre Le Manh, the president and chief executive of PMI, says the world is changing economically, politically and environmentally.
“The need for change is everywhere. And change only happens through successful projects,” he says. “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.”
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The 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.
According to that PMI study, up to 29.8 million more project professionals will be needed by 2035 to meet global demand, and the 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 per cent.
Mature economies like North America and Europe, face stalled supply of project professionals due to aging populations and shifting labor force trends. The report notes that 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 recognized certifications will be essential to ensuring workforce readiness and building execution capacity on the continent,” says George Asamani, MD, PMI Sub-Saharan Africa.
High-growth markets
The report also reveals that in high-growth markets, transformation is being driven by urgent needs, ranging from infrastructure expansion to rapid digitalization. Project talent is what makes that transformation possible, enabling organizations 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 that is set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from August 19-21, 2025.
