Coaching Industry Continues Global Growth with $5.34 Billion USD Revenue, New Research Reveals

– International Coaching Federation Releases 2025 Global Coaching Study, Showcasing Profession’s Impact on Global Economy –

Lexington, Kentucky, USA — The International Coaching Federation (ICF) today released its 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study, which examines how the coaching profession fuels economic growth globally. Amid geopolitical shifts and technology disruptions, the study — conducted over an eight-week span — reveals the profession’s top revenue drivers and key trends fueling its global growth, while demonstrating how geography, gender, and generational differences are shaping its future. 

“We are pleased to share the results of the 2025 Global Coaching Study, which validate the impact that coaching has on people, organizations, and economies,” said ICF CEO Magdalena Nowicka Mook. “For 30 years, ICF has led the way in shaping the coaching industry. Through this global study — tracking the reach and growth of coaching since 2007 — we capture key insights into the current state of the profession. As coaching evolves, these insights guide our commitment to supporting the success of coaches, celebrating the power of coaching, and advancing our global mission to make coaching an essential part of a thriving society.”

Leadership and executive coaching continue to be dominant areas in the coaching industry, with 54% of coaches indicating specialization in them. While these coaching services dominate the market, the study also reveals notable differences among coaches of different generations. Millennial coaches are less focused on leadership and executive coaching (66%), compared with 81% of Baby Boomer coaches.

In addition to the diversification of coaching services and practitioner profiles across generations, the study shows growing diversity in gender representation and credentialing among coaches. The coaching profession continues to be female-led (72%), with Eastern Europe having the highest level at 81%, and Asia at the lowest level with 62%. Regionally, Eastern Europe led the profession in number of coaches obtaining more qualifications to grow their business (50%). Globally, two-thirds of coaches hold third-level advanced degrees, with older generations more likely to have pursued higher educational qualifications. This trend reflects a concerted effort across regions to grow coaching practices with enhanced skillsets.  

Additional key findings from the ICF 2025 Global Coaching Study reveal: 

• Employment Growth: The global number of coach practitioners rose 15% since 2023, reaching a record 122,974. 

• Skillset Expansion: Coaches offer services in addition to coaching (60% training, 57% consulting, 55% facilitation, and 49% mentoring). 

• Generational Shift: The percentage of Gen X coaches rose from 49% to 53%, and Baby Boomer coaches declined from 38% to 35%, marking the beginning of a generational shift in the coaching landscape. 

• Future Outlook: 59% of coaches expect revenue growth next year, driven more by increased clients and sessions rather than increasing their fees. 

The survey, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), engaged over 10,000 participants in 127 countries. The 2025 study represents the sixth of ICF’s major research efforts to evaluate the size and scope of the coaching profession. The inaugural study was published in 2007 with follow-up studies in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2023.  

The executive summary of the study is available on the ICF website. Journalists can request a media copy via the contact information below.   

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Emily Wenstrom  
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