18.The Global Talent Gap in Project Management — Why the Future Depends on Us

This is Project Management Masterclass, hosted by Brittany Wilkins. In today’s episode, we unpack the 2025 PMI Global Talent Report—a sobering look at the critical project management talent shortage threatening global progress.

You’ll learn:

• Why project management is not a niche—it’s the backbone of global innovation, infrastructure, and economic transformation.
• Where the demand for project professionals is rising fastest, including China, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
• What’s causing the gap—from aging workforces to rapid AI and tech disruption.
• What project leaders can do about it using PMI’s M.O.R.E. mindset: Move outcomes, Own value, Realize change, Elevate impact.

Whether you're just entering the field or leading complex portfolios, this episode helps you understand where the profession is headed—and how to rise with it.

Transcript

Welcome back to Project Management Masterclass with your favorite project leader and show host, Brittany Wilkins.

I want to begin today’s episode by thanking all of my listeners around the world for tuning in . Today, though, I’d like to give a special shoutout to my audience in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

I recently received a fan message from a listener in the UK who wrote:

"The use of NPSS is very important as it aligns projects to creating value and achieving benefit realization. That’s why the business case was developed—it helps project managers and the PMO satisfy their customers."

I couldn’t agree more.

Back in Episode 11, we explored what it means to redefine project success beyond the triple constraints, inspired by PMI’s Maximizing Project Success report. That’s where we were first introduced to the Net Project Success Score (NPSS)—a tool designed to shift our focus toward long-term value and outcomes.

But today, I want to talk about a different kind of score… and this one has global implications.

Just last month, PMI released its latest global report—and it’s a wake-up call for the entire profession.

We will not be able to maximize—or even achieve—project success without qualified project professionals leading the way.

This report discusses a critical shortage of project talent and how that shortage threatens global growth, innovation, and transformation.

If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet—no worries. I’ve done the homework for you.

Let’s break it down together.

Segment 1: The State of the Profession

As of 2025, PMI estimates there are nearly 40 million skilled project professionals worldwide.

To put that into perspective, the global workforce includes about 25 million software developers and around 30 million nurses.

So no—project management is not a niche career path. This is foundational labor.

We are the architects of global transformation.

But by 2035, that number must rise to 65 million just to keep up with rapid change—fueled by digital disruption, infrastructure expansion, and constant economic shifts.

And if we don’t fill that gap?

We’re looking at delayed initiatives, failed transformations, and massive value left unrealized.

Segment 2: Where the Talent Is Needed Most

The need for project talent isn’t evenly distributed. Some regions are under extreme pressure to build capacity quickly:

China will need to more than double its talent pool—up to 23.3 million project professionals.

South Asia, including India and Bangladesh, could see demand grow by as much as 91 percent.

Sub-Saharan Africa is on the rise too, with projected growth between 56 and 75 percent.

And while those numbers are staggering, mature markets like North America and Europe face a different challenge:

Retirement. Experienced project leaders are exiting the workforce, and the pipeline of new professionals isn't growing fast enough.

In the U.S. alone, we’ll need over 1.1 million more project managers by 2035—even under conservative estimates.

 Segment 3: What’s Driving the Gap

PMI points to three main drivers behind this shift:

Economic transformation – Infrastructure, sustainability, and digital-first initiatives are dominating global strategies.

Demographic shifts – Younger populations in regions like South Asia and Africa offer potential, but they need access to training and education.

Technological disruption – AI, automation, and new delivery models are evolving faster than most workforces can adapt.

The truth is—we’re not just facing a talent gap.

We’re facing a capability gap.

 Segment 4: What We Can Do About It

This isn’t just a crisis—it’s a generational opportunity.

PMI outlines three big moves to meet this challenge head-on:

Elevate the profession. Project managers must be seen as leaders, not just executors. That means owning outcomes and aligning work with strategic goals. PMI calls this the M.O.R.E. mindset: Move outcomes, Own value, Realize change, Elevate impact.

Upskill and reskill. Organizations need to invest in internal training, helping employees transition into project roles and grow within them.

Widen the pipeline. From youth programs to university partnerships to accessible certifications, we must make project management visible, viable, and aspirational—especially in underrepresented and high-growth regions. 

Closing Thoughts

The world is made—and remade—through projects.

Project professionals are not just in demand. We are essential.

Whether you’re an aspiring project lead or a seasoned PMO director—this moment belongs to us.

If this episode gave you clarity or inspiration, I encourage you to share it with a colleague or project team. And if you haven’t already, hit that subscribe button so you never miss an episode.

This is Project Management Masterclass, and I’m Brittany Wilkins—reminding you that success isn’t something you chase. It’s something you build—one project at a time.

Until next time, stay focused… and stay powerful.