A new report from the Project Management Institute warned that a critical shortage of project management professionals could jeopardise global economic growth by 2035, with up to 29.8 million additional project professionals needed to meet soaring demand.
The Global Project Management Talent Gap report obtained on Tuesday highlighted the escalating need for skilled project managers amid economic uncertainty, rapid digital transformation, and large-scale infrastructure projects.
The report estimated that the global workforce currently includes 40 million project professionals, a figure comparable to 25 million software developers and 30 million nurses.
However, demand is projected to surge, particularly in high-growth regions such as South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and China, where infrastructure investment and digital innovation are driving unprecedented needs.
Researchers said sub-Saharan Africa alone will require 4.6 million project professionals by 2035, a 75 per cent increase from today’s 2.6 million, creating a potential shortfall of two million.
Project Management Professional President and CEO of PMI, Pierre Le Manh, stated, “Our world is in flux: economically, politically, and environmentally. The need for change is everywhere. And change only happens through successful projects. That makes this a defining moment for project professionals.”
He added, “We don’t just need millions more of them; we need them ready to lead, to deliver, and 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 ranks 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.
Other key highlights are mature economies, including North America and Europe, face stalled supply of project professionals due to ageing populations and shifting labour force trends, and the opportunity: reskilling, upskilling, and opening new career pathways can help close the gap and elevate the profession globally.
According to the Managing Director of PMI Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, “Sub-Saharan Africa will require as many as 4.6 million project professionals by 2035, up from 2.6 million today, a nearly 75 per cent increase that translates into a talent shortfall of roughly two 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.”
The report found 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 to 21 August 2025.
