Increasing Demand for Project Professionals in KSA to Power Vision 2030

The ten-year outlook highlights the Urgent Need for Skilled Talent to drive the Kingdom’s Megaprojects and why project talent is now imperative for sustained growth

 Ain Alalam – Rashad Iskandrni

Up to 30 million new project professionals are needed to meet global demand by 2035, with up to 1.8 million professionals needed specifically in the Middle East according to the new Global Project Management Talent Gap report from Project Management Institute (PMI). As the world accelerates into an era defined by economic uncertainty, disruption, and digital transformation, it is clear that project professionals are more essential than ever.

The report shows that the demand for project professionals in Saudi Arabia could surge by as much as 45.9%, the highest in the region. This comes as no surprise, as the Kingdom accelerates into an era defined by its Vision 2030 and transformation agenda. By 2035, up to 438,000 Saudi project professionals may be needed to address the talent gap and support its large-scale development initiatives.

“The MENA region is on the cusp of a historic transformation, powered by visionary national agendas, and some of the world’s most ambitious megaprojects.” stated Hanny Alshazly, Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa at PMI. “Up to 1.8 million project professionals will be needed across the region by 2035. At PMI, we’re committed to equipping individuals and organizations with the skills to deliver impactful, future-focused projects by fostering local talent, embracing innovation, and enabling long-term strategic success. Through this, we aim to help the region not only meet its ambitious goals but also set a global benchmark for sustainable development and excellence.”

As of now, there are currently 1.3 million project professionals in MENA, thereby, the increase in demand opens a gap of up to 600,000 project professionals.

There are almost 40 million project professionals in the global workforce today. To put this in perspective, the global workforce includes approximately 25 million software developers and around 30 million nurses underscoring the scale and significance of the project management profession.

This projection aligns with the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, which identifies project managers as a key role driving net employment growth through 2030 and ranked it as the 12th fastest-growing job role globally.

The report finds that in high-growth markets, transformation is being driven by urgent needs, ranging from infrastructure expansion to rapid digitalization. Project talent is what makes that transformation possible, enabling organizations to turn complex ambitions into tangible outcomes. In contrast, mature economies face growing challenges as experienced project professionals retire, and delivery models can’t keep pace with evolving business needs. Those who invest in modern project talent today will have a competitive edge tomorrow.

The future is built on projects, but the world faces a critical shortage: skilled project professionals. With demand accelerating across all regions and sectors, project professionals who take ownership beyond delivery, connecting projects to business value and long-term impact, will be indispensable partners to the C-suite and central to the world’s most critical transformations.

To explore regional trends, industry-specific growth, and the full ten-year outlook, read the Global Project Management Talent Gap report HERE.