A new Project Management Institute (PMI) study exposes the state of the gender disparity that exists for project professionals across all major industries. The report, “The State of Women in Project Management 2023,” reveals that within the project management industry, male project managers outnumber female project managers at a rate of 3:1. On the upside, 23% of men versus 20% of women report “some level” of management role, highlighting a much narrower gap when it comes to project management leadership opportunities.

Research was conducted between March and April of 2022, and included 8,313 project professionals (individuals who use project skills to deliver change), including 1,927 respondents who identify as female.

PMI’s survey findings indicate: 

• male project managers outnumber their female counterparts around the world and in every sector, but the gaps differ greatly by region and industry;  
• women earn less than men and are slightly less likely to have a project management certification or a project management degree;
• while there are far fewer women in the project workforce, they are only slightly less likely than men to have a leadership role; and  
• women are more likely to report using agile and hybrid approaches, working in organizations that use advanced technologies, and placing a higher value on power skills.

“PMI has over 300 chapters across the world committed to being a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community,” said Brantlee Underhill, chief community officer, PMI. “Our latest research shows that project management offers women genuine career progression opportunities, so we need to work together to encourage more women into the profession.”

Access more details in the PMI news release about the report.