The 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study reveals a profession that is not only growing, but also expanding its economic impact, and navigating a pivotal shift toward technology and scale.
Based on responses from over 10,000 coaches worldwide, the report paints a clear picture: Coaching is a profession fueled by optimism, and it has become a powerful and established force in the global economy.
Despite global economic and geopolitical uncertainties, the outlook among coaches remains strong. Nearly 6 in 10 coaches (59%) expect revenue growth in the coming year.
This optimism reflects confidence in the profession’s power and relevance. As Richard Hyams, Erickson’s Faculty Lead explains, in times of change, transition, and complexity, organizations and individuals increasingly seek coaching for clarity, adaptability, leadership development, and resilience.
“The narrative out there is that there's a lot of uncertainty about our future and a lot of negativity reflected in the news. But when people go through our solution-focused The Art & Science of Coaching™ program, they undergo a real shift and they suddenly find themselves experiencing a lot more optimism and hope than before,” Richard explains.
“You see, when we stop focusing on problems, especially ones that are outside of our control, like worldwide issues, our sense of powerlessness and pessimism is replaced by a future-focused approach where we can see how we can make a difference and actually have a positive impact on the world.”
Clearly the market agrees with coaching’s transformative power. One of the most striking findings in the report is the profession’s economic contribution. Coaching generated an estimated $5.340 billion USD in total annual revenue globally, representing a 17% increase since 2023.
This growth reflects not only rising demand, but also greater recognition of coaching’s value across industries. From executive and leadership coaching to life and team coaching, the profession continues to demonstrate tangible economic impact.
On an individual level, active coach practitioners now earn an average of $49,283 USD annually from coaching activities . While income varies by region and experience, this figure underscores coaching as a viable and expanding career path.
The global coaching workforce has reached a new milestone. The estimated number of coach practitioners worldwide has grown by 13% since 2023, reaching a record high of 122,974 coaches.
Even more telling: 90% of coaches report having active clients, resulting in approximately 110,492 active coach practitioners globally. This signals strong market engagement and sustained demand.
The profession is expanding not only in established regions such as North America and Western Europe, but also across emerging markets in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa . Coaching is increasingly becoming a global standard for personal and organizational development.
One of the most revealing themes in the report is the role of technology in coaching’s future. Over half of coaches (54%) say that improving coaching platforms and technology-driven solutions is a priority to meet future client demands . Yet actual adoption remains relatively low.
47% currently use digital coaching platforms
Most use them primarily opt for one-on-one virtual sessions (35%) and scheduling/client management (23%)
Only 19% invested in new technology in the past year, though this is expected to rise to 27% within the next one to three years
This signals a profession at a crossroads. Coaches recognize the importance of technology - but many are still in the early stages of integrating digital tools beyond virtual meeting platforms.
Richard, who is passionately driving Erickson’s first-ever AI-enhanced virtual offering of The Art & Science of Coaching™ program, isn’t surprised that coaches are slow adopters of technology, but he sees that curve as changing quite rapidly in the future.
“If you consider that most coaches are typically people-oriented, human-centered individuals, it’s not surprising that they're not embracing technology beyond what they need to use on a day-to-day basis,” Richard explains. “But if you can help them navigate the assistive nature of AI, for example, and show them how it can help alleviate time wasted on admin, for example, opening up more time to do more of what they really love, which is coaching, then it can be a short learning curve.”
Uptake of Erickson’s recently released AI Assistant has been steadily rising, and it’s clear that it’s the coaches who are strategically leveraging technology that are gaining a competitive advantage in scalability, global reach, and operational efficiency.
The 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study confirms that coaching is no longer emerging - it is established, expanding, and evolving. Key trends shaping the next chapter include:
Continued global expansion
Growth through client acquisition rather than fee increases
A technology adoption curve still gaining momentum
Strong professional engagement and active client relationships
For current and aspiring coaches, the opportunity is substantial - but those who combine strong coaching competencies with business acumen and technological agility will be best positioned for long-term success.
The profession’s growth is not accidental. It reflects the increasing recognition that in a world defined by complexity and rapid change, structured thinking, empowered decision-making, and human-centered development are more valuable than ever.
To purchase a copy of the ICF and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s report, click here.
For more information on becoming an Erickson coach and learning the solution-focused approach, book a virtual coffee chat with one of our advisors here.