Why It’s a Big Moment for Project Professionals

Every few years, a change emerges that quietly reshapes the future of work.
This time, it’s not AI, automation, or remote collaboration.

It’s the global shortage of project professionals — and the numbers tell a powerful story.

According to PMI’s Global Project Management Talent Gap Report 2025, the world currently has about 39.6 million project professionals. By 2035, organisations may need up to 65.4 million, creating a potential shortfall of nearly 30 million project professionals.

This isn’t a trend.
It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Table of Contents

• Where Demand Is Rising Fast

• Why This Matters for Your Career

• Three Practical Steps to Stay Ahead

• The Bottom Line

Where Demand Is Rising Fast

The talent gap doesn’t look the same everywhere, and PMI’s 2025 projections show that some regions will feel the pressure more than others:

• China may need to more than double its project talent pool, reaching up to 23.3 million by 2035.

• South Asia could see demand grow by 68–91% by 2035.

• Sub-Saharan Africa may increase demand by 56–75% over the same period.

Even mature economies face challenges.
Europe and North America will continue to grow, but supply isn’t keeping up — driven by aging workforces and shifts in labour participation.

Across every region, organisations are relying on project professionals to drive transformation, modernise infrastructure, digitise operations, and navigate uncertain markets.

Why This Matters for Your Career

This gap isn’t simply about capacity.
It’s about capability.

Organisations don’t just need more project managers — they need people who can:

• Translate strategy into action

• Lead teams through complexity

• Manage risk with clarity

• Deliver measurable business outcomes

PMI refers to this as the M.O.R.E. mindset: professionals who think beyond tasks and become strategic contributors.

If you’re already operating this way, the next decade strongly favours you.

Three Practical Steps to Stay Ahead

1. Strengthen your project delivery fundamentals

Upskilling remains a competitive advantage, especially as demand accelerates.

2. Build strategic confidence

Professionals who understand business impact — not just timelines — will become trusted advisors.

3. Position yourself in high-growth sectors

Construction, manufacturing, energy, IT services, and healthcare could see PM demand grow by 37–66%.
Your expertise likely applies across multiple industries.

The Bottom Line

The world is changing rapidly — and projects are the mechanism behind that change.
A projected shortfall of nearly 30 million project professionals shows the shortage reaches far beyond project manager roles…

But of leaders.

This is your moment to step forward, elevate your skills, and help build the next era of transformation.

P.S. Enjoyed this insight? Connect with me on LinkedIn for more practical engineering and project management content.

You can also:
• Download free project management templates at vandersonbaril.com.

See you next Saturday!