If you are a new graduate, you may find it interesting! And if you are already experienced PM, it can serve as additional motivation for giving back. According to the report: “By 2035, organizations could need up to 65 million project professionals to keep pace with growth and change. These projections show the supply of qualified talent falling short by as many as 29.8 million project professionals over the next decade. That gap presents not only a risk to business performance but a generational opportunity to professionalize and elevate project management as one of the most critical and impactful careers of the future.”
In the next 10 years, Europe alone will face a shortage of nearly 3.5 million project professionals, ranking just behind China and South Asia. Europe is on the brink of a massive transformation, driven by substantial infrastructure and defense investments, new shifts in global supply chains, and rapid technological advancements. These factors, combined with the push to restore critical industries and modernize outdated systems, are set to generate an unprecedented demand for skilled project managers. Manufacturing, construction, and IT services, in particular, will experience a surge in project-related roles. As companies navigate complex supply chain restructurings and integrate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, automation, and sustainable energy solutions, the need for professionals who can plan, coordinate, and execute large-scale projects will be greater than ever.
With Europe ranking among the regions facing the most significant talent shortages in project management, organizations will be under pressure to attract and train professionals to meet these evolving demands. The ability to efficiently manage resources, budgets, and timelines will be critical for ensuring the success of these ambitious investments, for which there are no viable alternatives. Therefore, whether you follow predictive or Agile methodologies, new challenges await you just around the corner. Among the top 10 countries worldwide with the highest demand for project professionals, two EU nations stand out: Germany, with a gap of 517,000 professionals, and Poland, with 234,000.
– Greg
Source: Project Management Institute
Full report: Global Project Management Talent Gap