According to the Project Management Institute (PMI)’s Global Project Management Talent Gap report, the demand for project professionals worldwide is growing at a remarkable pace. By 2035, organizations may need as many as 65 million project professionals to handle ongoing growth and transformation.
This surge is driven by several factors: many current professionals are retiring, while economies continue to expand and evolve.
However, the supply of qualified project professionals risks falling short, as demand is expected to increase by up to 30 million more project professionals worldwide over the next decade, posing a risk to business performance and economic growth.
SoHyun Kang, Managing Director of Asia-Pacific at PMI, said that three major forces are driving the growing demand for project management expertise.
“First is technology transformation,” Kang said. “As organizations embrace digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) to innovate and remain competitive, they need skilled project professionals to lead these complex changes.”
The second driver is sustainability and energy transition, with governments and businesses launching projects to achieve sustainability and net-zero carbon emissions.
The third is infrastructure expansion, particularly in fast-developing regions like Southeast Asia, where investments in roads, bridges, and other public facilities are increasing to support growth.
“These forces are equally visible in the Philippines,” Kang said. “The country currently has up to 237,000 project professionals. But with its economy growing at about 6% this year, according to ADB forecasts, the Philippines is seeing a wave of new transformation projects.”
The importance of project managers
To meet this demand, the Philippines is expected to need up to 441,000 project professionals by 2035.
The importance of project professionals in both the public and private sectors cannot be overstated. Failed or delayed projects can result in losses for businesses and governments, with effects that ripple through the broader economy.
“Take any large-scale infrastructure project,” Kang said. “Its success depends on three critical factors: budget, schedule, and scope. These initiatives are often ambitious but serve a clear purpose — to meet growing demand and support economic development.”
But when execution falls short, the consequences can be far-reaching. Delays and cost overruns can lead to lost revenue, missed opportunities, and disruption for millions. And the impact isn’t just financial; people’s lives are affected, businesses suffer, and regional growth can lose momentum.
Governments play a crucial role in addressing the talent gap among project professionals. Once officials recognize project management as an essential skill set, they can begin developing national skills development frameworks to build capacity.
By crafting policies that support project management training and professional development, governments can encourage public sector organizations to adopt higher standards and best practices. This is particularly valuable for local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines, helping them to fast-track and monitor projects more effectively while meeting auditing and accountability requirements.
Integrating project management into national development plans ensures that strategic objectives are translated into well-executed projects and that public agencies have the talent needed to deliver them successfully.
“They can focus on upskilling and reskilling project management professionals,” Kang said.
PMI maintains a balanced view of how technology, such as AI, is shaping the project management profession. While automation may reduce the need for some human resources, it enables businesses to take on more complex projects, increasing demand for human oversight.
“This leads to more work that still depends on human leadership, judgment, and decision-making; these are skills that AI can’t fully replace,” Kang said. “While some tasks are automated, the overall number of projects and their complexity may increase the demand for skilled project professionals.”
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world’s leading nonprofit for project professionals, setting global standards in project management for over 50 years. With a presence across various industries, including IT, construction, healthcare, and finance, PMI empowers professionals through internationally recognized certifications, training, and thought leadership.
Leading this mission in the region is SoHyun Kang, PMI’s Managing Director, Asia-Pacific. Based in Singapore, she drives strategic growth across 42 countries, fostering partnerships, strengthening local chapters, and supporting professionals as they navigate digital transformation, sustainability, and the rising demand for project talent.
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