Project Management Talent Gap 2025: The World Needs 30 Million More Project Managers

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PMI’s latest report shows a shocking number: by 2035, companies will need up to 65 million project professionals.

Today, we have around 40 million.

That means a gap of almost 30 million people missing to deliver projects.

This is not some distant problem. It’s already here.

Companies are already struggling to deliver their transformations.

Not because they lack ideas.

But they lack people who can manage work, lead teams, and turn plans into real outcomes.

The Real Problem: Not Enough Skilled Project Managers

Let’s be clear. Project managers are the ones who turn strategy into action.

Without them, ideas stay on slides. Deadlines get missed. Budgets explode. Execution fails.

But this gap is not just about numbers.

The real problem is this:

• Many professionals are already doing project work.
• But they never learned how to manage a project properly.
• They don’t have the mindset, tools, or support.
• They are called analysts, coordinators, product owners, and even engineers.
• Yet they are expected to “lead projects” without being prepared for it.

That’s the real talent gap. And it’s growing.

Small and Mid-Sized Companies Will Struggle the Most

Big corporations will find a way. They can hire consultants, buy expensive training, or poach experienced PMs.

But small and medium companies? They don’t have that luxury.

• They can’t afford long recruitment cycles.
• They need people ready to manage projects now.
• They can’t spend months and thousands of euros on theoretical certifications.

They need practical solutions.

Simple, effective, fast to implement.

This Is Not Just a Problem — It’s a Business Opportunity

For those of us who live and breathe project management, this gap is a signal.

An opportunity to:

• Help individuals grow into project management roles.
• Support companies that need to upskill their teams quickly.
• Build tools, guides, and resources that are useful from day one.

This is exactly what I’m doing with Project Management Compass (PMC):

• Practical toolkits for new and aspiring PMs.
• Reskilling packs for small companies to train their teams.
• Content that focuses on real work, not just theory.

What the PMI Report Is Really Telling Us

The PMI report is not just giving numbers.

It’s telling us something deeper:

“The world will need millions of people who can make things happen.”

This is a huge opportunity for those ready to teach, guide, and build solutions.

I’ve made my choice. I’m building for this gap.

The question is: Are you?

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