ICF 2012 Global Coaching Study

Published on March 8, 2012 in Research. 42 Comments

I wanted to take some time to share with you an amazing new 2012 Global Coaching Study, commissioned by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The information in this blog post is provided from the ICF website (www.coachfederation.org).

A bit of background…

In late 2006, the ICF commissioned its first ever global industry study to provide a baseline picture of the profession; to identify what coaches saw as the major challenges; and to estimate the size of the profession.

When the benchmark Final Report was ultimately released, the 2007 ICF Global Coaching Study included responses from 5,415 coaches living in 73 different countries – among them, more than 1,500 non-ICF member coaches.

Since then, the landscape of professional coaching has evolved in terms of the number of coaches worldwide, global revenue, and perhaps even the demographic profile of the coach.

The results…

The 2012 ICF Global Coaching Study was designed to be one of the most ambitious pieces of industry research ever conducted on the field of professional coaching. A primary goal was to engage with as many coaches as possible on a worldwide basis, thus providing an up-to-date picture of the profession. In total, 12, 133 coaches in 117 countries participated in the study.

What’s great to see is that coaches remain highly educated with more than half (59%) having completed a third level degree (i.e. completed Master’s or Ph.D). This represents an increase from the 2007 Global Coaching Study; where 53% indicated that they possessed a third level degree.

The vast majority of coaches (76%) feel that the marketplace expects them to have a certification/credential.  In fact, more than one-third (35%) of all coaches indicated that they ‘Strongly Agreed’ with this sentiment.

More than three-quarters (78%) of coaches have received coach-specific training that was accredited/approved by a professional coaching organization.

The typical coach who participated in this study is earning an average of $47,900 USD in revenue per year from coaching. In Australia this average jumped to $66,200 in revenue per year.

The global average fee for a 1 hour coaching session was $229 USD. The average fee in Australia was significantly higher at $304.

Looking ahead, coaches around the world are very optimistic about the next 12 months with for than 3/4 stating they expect their number of clients and annual revenue to increase.

The Gratitude…

What’s so exciting to come from this study is there are more coaches out there making a difference and making an income at the same time.

I want to mention how grateful I am for our team here at The Coaching Institute for all their hard work in becoming the first and only choice for certified coach training in Australasia; The trainers who deliver the outstanding trainings every single time and most importantly to our students who continue to raise the bar on what’s possible.
It truly is a shining example of what can happen when a group of like minded people get together… Because People With Passion Really Can Change The World!

Whether you’re already a coach or thinking about embarking on your coaching journey, I would love to know what you think of this new global coaching study?

Post a comment below, I’d love to hear from you.

Sharon Pearson
Founder Of The Coaching Institute

 

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Peter-John/100003375113198 Peter John

    Incredible stuff. Confirms what a dynamic and exciting industry we work in. I am sure if they ranked training organisations, we would be right at the top.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bridgette-Reid/512348096 Bridgette Reid

    why do I feel like this industry is just getting started… I love the potential!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Belle-Chinchen/692722168 Belle Chinchen

    Wow, it’s great to see so many people making a living changing lives! And fantastic that it’s starting to get much more widely recognised and get some accreditation in place that allows us to know what quality we’re getting. Brilliant :)

  • Camille

    It is such a huge industry with so much potential for growth and it’s the perfect time to get trained as an ICF accredited coach. There are so many areas coaches can specialise in. 

  • Alice

    In 2000, I started this journey and coaching was an emerging field.  12 years on and it is still going strong due to the quality of training and results that is happening in the marketplace.

    Congratulations to all of the TCI students for making the decision to truly serve and make a difference to the lives of millions.  Imagine this study done in the next 5-10 yrs and see the ripple effect you all have made!

  • Anonymous

    This is only just the beginning for a very special industry which changes lives every single day!

  • Celia Taylor

    This is my industry, and I love it. The results are so exciting, not only for coaches but, most importantly, for our clients. Onward and upwards! 

  • http://www.facebook.com/kym.lawn Kym Lawn

    So grateful to be part of this amazing community that TCI has created around supporting us to become the best coaches we can be :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ellen-Hutchison/100002740883087 Ellen Hutchison

    This is fantastic, so comprehensive.  What a great thing to be part of right now.

  • http://www.facebook.com/deborahbrownjoyce Deborah Brown

    It is wonderful to see there are so many magnificant people around the world choosing to make a difference. I absolutely love what I do and the impact I have on the people I touch. I’m extremely grateful to TCI for offering such high quality training and for creating the most amazing community. WOW, I can only imagine what the future holds :)

  • Maria Dera

    Thanks for sharing Sharon! As a newbie to this industry, reading this study is very encouraging and exciting – the potential for growth and making a difference in many sectors! TCI was undoubtedly the right place for me to be “credentialled”. Not only are we supported  brillianty to build our skills/knowledge and  to serve from  the heart as coaches, we are also given the practical systems so we have the nuts and bolts to enable us  achieve and exceed the average annual revenue shown in the study – Australian figures are particularly encouraging!!!!!

  • Sue Brodie

    Great survey. Thank you for sharing this. I am so glad I am part of a community that constantly grows and gives

  • Hema

    Hi Sharon, the survey and stats are quite encouraging and positive. I am new to this field and hope to know, learn and deal better with myself and others, as I feel quite lost at the moment 

  • http://www.youwillneverwalkalone.co/ Maria

    Wow this is all very exciting and i am so glad I am  part of this:)  Life Is Beautiful…

  • Senthagovin

    What a comprehensive study! For once, I am not sitting on the other side of the fence wishing that I can be part of it for – I AM PART OF THIS AMAZING INDUSTRY and an Institute like TCI that is growing globally! Thanks Sharon for making time to expose us to these facts on top of everything else you do! – Sentha Govin

  • http://www.louisecramond.com/ Louise Cramond

    Well done TCI for being the training institute of choice for turning out highly credentialed coaches. It is such a joy to be in this profession and be standing on the precipices of change and growth for this industry and know we have been taught well:)

  • Anna

    I am soooo excited to be part of this industry. It’s cool that I have the opportunity to study with TCI. Thank you Sharon for sharing this information…. it contibutes to growing my confidence.  Thanks Anna

  • Jmsharkey

    Without a doubt this information is important when it comes to understanding what it means to be well trained, not just academically, but also with integrity, to be associated with other like minded professionals is as valuable as having the credentials required. TCI delivers on this and much more. Its an exciting time for the industry in Australia and on the global stage.

  • http://www.tbnproductions.com/ Lisa Watson

    Hi Sharon, thank you for taking the time to put this together.  As I was reading I felt so thankful that you had believed in yourself so much that you created the Coaching Institute, so not only myself but thousands of coaches around the world can benefit from being part of the most awesome industry in the world and make a difference in so many peoples lives.  I am reading this from London where not a day goes by that I don’t think about what you and all the other coaches out there have taught me Thank you thank you.  With Love Lisa Watson xx

  • Andrea

    So great to be a part of the industry and a training school that accepts nothing less than excellence and that we can then deliver that to our clients. Thanks for sharing the summary of results SP.

  • Katet

    Hi Sharon, being new to coaching to is really exciting to see how the industry has grow in a few short years.  Thank you for putting this together for us.  I feel very inspired and am very proud to be associated with The Coaching Institute. Kate T

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1522774027 Khalid Mansour

    Thanks for sharing these results Sharon. I feel proud to be part of this amazing industry and excited at what lies ahead for coaches and clients. Thanks to TCI and the awesome community created around it for making dreams into reality.

  • Wendy Wilson

    Hi Sharon, It is great to see the industry evolve so much and how TCI encourage a vision beyond time for money/one on one when such an important service can serve many, effectively and profoundly, for the same time unit.    I like the it that at TCI resources and support are also provided for building wealth so we can take care of ourselves extraordinarily well, while serving from the heart.  We are at an extraordinary and unprecendented time in history on a global scale, what a privilige to be a part of helping ourselves and others create destiny.  

  • http://twitter.com/PeterBlasch Peter Blasch

    The potential in Coaching industry is enormous for building a business and creating a lifestyle that reflects our potential. As coach’s we work with our clients to see change and transformation in their lives, and ours; what other industry gives you such results?

  • Penny Evans

    What a privilege to be a part of such a young, growing, vital and dynamic industry whose primary aim is to help free people from the chains of fear and to release them into the life journey they were destined to take. Service from the heart. Truly honoured to be a part of this magnificent mission – Thank you Sharon for making it all possible. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/shan.lawson Shan Lawson

    I’m so thrilled I’ve entered the exciting world of coaching and so very grateful to have the high level of support, the incredible depth of knowledge and massive amount of resources provided by the amazing Sharon Pearson and all the staff and trainers and fellow coaches of The Coaching Institute.

  • Helen Ollerenshaw

    It is fantastic to see the growth in this field.  Would’t it be even more amazing if these skills became an essential part of every childs mainstream education so that we were no longer needed. Even better, this way of living and thinking became mainstream life not the acception to the rule,  Imagine the potential of the whole world operating from that plane of thinking and being.

  • Leigh Welsh

    WOW!! Those results are remarkable. Kudos to you Sharon and you team for enabling us to get these much needed coaching credentials and for keeping us up to date on all new developments in the field. This study proves that what you offer in terms of education for coaches is absolutely essential for coaching success. The future is looking very bright for us all. Thanks

  • http://www.sydney4women.com.au Karina – Sydney 4 Women

    Very interesting data! Thanks for sharing :)

  • Clare Booth

    Great data and shows that the TCI coaches are on the right track not only in terms of qualification, but also in our choice of career……exciting to be in a growth industry with such massive potential and to be surrounded by a wonderful supportive team in TCI and fellow coaches….so many more fantastic changes, experiences, and success for coaches and clients alike, to come!!!!

  • Megan

    I am only now embarking on this exciting new career and I am really excited. I am not surprised by the data…it just shows what a wonderful field it is to be involved in abd how GREAT it is to be able to help people.

  • Cecilia

    Fascinating data – love the opportunity that exists within our industry! thanks Sharon for sharing

  • John

    Interesting that as the number of coaches is increasing, the number who are making an income is also increasing. As coaches are becoming accredited and the industry more professional it is becoming more normal/usual for a professional to hire a business coach, or a life coach. Thanks Sharon for sharing this summary.

  • Heather_watson7

    With all that great coaching being carried out around the globe it is exciting to think about the ever increasing amount of transformational change taking place in the lives of inviduals, families, communities and countries world wide … how exciting for the good of the all … and what a priviledge to be able to play a part. 

  • Matt Miller

    Tremendous growth in the coaching industry and good to see that an overwhelming number are qualified.

  • Margit Heinke

    The global study shows  to me, how important it is, to be accredited and certified as a coach.  Clients and coaches, both, expect a high standard of quality as a coach. Needs are covered. And the trainers at the TCI provide all a great work and training for us coaches and students to make this big  difference. And the students do a great job as well!  And with that confidence and good results, the coaches have the positive outlook for the next 12 months, which is so important and significant!

  • Heather

     The Global Study shows how important coaching is and what an incredible amount of wonderful people you meet along the way. Positive is the word for the day thanks TCI.

  • Peter B

    Thanks Sharon for this fantastic survey. Coaching is like the proverbial snowball rolling down the mountain gathering speed, mass and loads of energy and impacting all before it as it goes. I can see that with the type of guidance, education, training and support provided by TCI and similar organisations around the globe, over time, we will be able to change the world and make it a better place for all.

  • Julie Hatchard

    Hi Sharon 
    thank you for such an in depth view on coaching I have been looking at your coaching course for a period of months, and am now at a cross road and a girlfriend and I were just talking about a survey to help me make the jump and here was your email and blog. It was very helpful. Thank you

    Warm regards
    Julie Hatchard

  • Deb Pittam

    Thats great data to see – fantastic results - thanks so much for summarising it Sharon

  • Therese

    great article, thank you Sharon for sharing this information with me. 

  • Joe-pane

    It’s such a priviledge and an honour to be part of so many amazing people’s journeys. There will always be a market for all coaches.