Nearly 30 million new project professionals will be needed worldwide by 2035, according to the Project Management Institute (PMI).
The PMI’s newly released Global Project Management Talent Gap report found that although the global workforce currently includes nearly 40 million project professionals, demand could increase by 64% from 2025 to 2035, driven by capital investment and industry transformation. Demand is especially high in rapidly developing regions such as South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and China, where major infrastructure projects, industrial expansion, and digital transformation are creating unprecedented needs for skilled talent.
“The world isn’t short on change — it’s short on people ready to lead change forward,” PMI regional managing director for North America Karla Eidem told TechRepublic. “As transformation accelerates and experienced professionals retire, the demand for project talent is soaring.”
This forecast 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. The WEF ranked it as the 12th fastest-growing job role globally. As business transformation continues across regions and industries, project managers play an essential role in navigating the rapidly evolving global workforce landscape, the PMI said.
Where the gap for project managers is most acute
Industries such as construction, manufacturing, IT services, and healthcare are projected to see the sharpest increase in demand, with some sectors expecting a 66% rise in the need for project professionals. While North America and Europe are among the most mature economies, both regions face a dwindling pipeline of project professionals due to aging populations and shifting labor trends.
In emerging markets, demand is fueled by large-scale infrastructure development and the rapid shift toward digital solutions. Project professionals are essential in making these transformations work, helping organizations translate complex strategies into concrete outcomes. PMI noted that organizations taking steps now to build strong project teams will be better positioned to compete in the future.
How organizations can respond
Organizations can reskill, upskill, and open new career pathways to help close the gap and elevate the profession globally, according to the PMI.
“This is a clear call to action: organizations must invest in upskilling and reskilling, but project professionals have a role to play, too,’’ Eidem said. “By embracing a strategic mindset, building trust, and connecting their work to meaningful outcomes, they can elevate the profession and demonstrate the critical role project leadership plays in driving real impact.”
The report used LinkedIn Talent data to analyze 172 unique project-related roles across more than 180 countries, with adjustments made for regional differences in platform usage.
