MENA Faces Shortage of Over 110,000 Construction Professionals

The report, titled“The Construction Project Management Talent Gap,” estimated that demand for construction project professionals in the region could reach around 330,800 by 2035 under a high-growth scenario, up 32 percent from 2025 levels.

However, supply is expected to lag significantly, leaving a gap that could slow project delivery across the region, according to the report.

The findings come as MENA countries ramp up investments in large-scale infrastructure, energy transition, and urban development projects, including initiatives linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the UAE’s smart city programs, and Egypt’s mega-projects.

Structural challenges widen the gap

Additionally, demand for construction talent is expected to rise by nearly 97,400 professionals by 2035, with retirements further widening the gap. Even under a lower-growth scenario, the region could still face a shortage of more than 88,500 professionals.

The report identified several structural challenges behind the shortage, including the perception of construction jobs as physically demanding, limited participation of women in the sector, and insufficient training and career development pathways.

It also highlighted slow adoption of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and building information modelling (BIM), compared to other industries, limiting productivity gains.

Calls for reform and investment

The PMI urged governments and industry players to take steps to address the gap, including investing in training, expanding certification programs, and adopting digital tools to improve efficiency and attract younger workers.

It also called for greater inclusion of women and underrepresented groups, as well as stronger focus on emerging skills such as sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.

Hanny Alshazly, PMI’s managing director for MENA, said the region’s construction sector faces a critical moment, with its long-term growth dependent on building a skilled and adaptable workforce.

“The region’s ambitions in infrastructure and sustainability will depend on how effectively it addresses the growing talent gap,” he said.

Analysts say failure to close the gap could increase project costs and delays, while successful reforms could help sustain growth and improve delivery across MENA’s expanding construction sector.