Global project management talent gap to hit 30 million by 2035- Report

George Asamani, Managing Director for PMI Sub-Saharan Africa./HANDOUT

The world will need 30 million additional project professionals by 2035 to meet surging demand, according to the Global Project Management Talent Gap report by Project Management Institute (PMI).

With nearly 40 million project professionals currently in the workforce, the report underscores the growing centrality of the profession—comparable in size and importance to global sectors such as nursing (30 million) and software development (25 million).

The talent shortfall highlights the urgent need for investment in skills development and strategic collaboration worldwide.

“The world is in flux: economically, politically, environmentally,” said 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 projected demand is particularly sharp in emerging economies such as South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and China. There, rapid infrastructure development, industrial growth, and digital transformation are intensifying the call for skilled project talent.

Sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, is expected to require 4.6 million project professionals by 2035—up from 2.6 million today.

“This nearly 75 per cent increase represents a talent shortfall of about 2 million professionals,” said George Asamani, Managing Director for PMI Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Addressing the gap will demand scaled investment in professional training and deeper collaboration with universities and governments.”

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 echoes these findings, ranking project managers among the top drivers of net employment growth through 2030 and placing the role 12th among the world’s fastest-growing job categories.

Across sectors—from construction and manufacturing to healthcare and IT services—demand for project professionals is expected to increase by as much as 66 per cent.

In contrast, mature economies such as those in North America and Europe may struggle to maintain current levels due to aging populations and shifting labor force dynamics.

These workforce trends and the innovative strategies needed to address them will be central to the upcoming PMI Global Summit Series Africa, set for August 19–21, 2025, in Kigali, Rwanda.

The summit will bring together regional leaders, educators, and professionals to chart a course for meeting Africa’s growing project talent needs.