The number of Certified Financial Planners around the world reached a record 236,300 in 2025, up 5,652 year on year - a growth rate of 2.5%.
Figures were released today by the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB), the Denver-based global CFP standards body.
In the UK the number of CFP Professionals rose to 1,098, up 34 year on year (2024: 1,064).
In the UK the Chartered Financial Planner designation is dominant but CFP Professional numbers have seen steady growth in recent years. In Ireland the number of CFP Professional rose to 1,061, up 54 year on year.
In the UK the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment is the CFP certification provider.
Analysis of the numbers by the FPSB reveals that around the world a growing number of Certified Financial Planners are, on average, younger than previous generations of planners and more are female.
Figures show that in 2025.
- 62.1% of those who achieved CFP certification in 2025 were under 40
- 37.9% of those who achieved CFP certification in 2025 were female
FPSB CEO Dante De Gori CFP said: “It’s encouraging to see younger professionals and women choosing to pursue CFP certification. A diverse, next generation community of CFP professionals is essential to meeting the evolving needs of clients around the world. The momentum we’re seeing today will shape the future of the profession for decades to come.”
Carly Dunningham CFP, chair of the CISI Financial Planning Forum, said, said: “I am thrilled to see more planners choosing to pursue CFP certification, because it signals a real commitment to going beyond products and investments to focus on what truly matters to clients – their lives, goals and values.”
CISI chief executive Tracy Vegro said: “Both the global and UK CFP increases highlight the increasing appeal of this ‘gold standard’ certification among younger professionals and particularly women. This shift is vital to meeting the evolving needs of UK consumers.
"Even in this AI-enabled era, consumers clearly value the “human in the loop”, meaning these skills are more in need than ever. We should remember that Financial Planning is a global discipline, and through our partnership with FPSB, we’re proud to support and showcase UK excellence on the world stage.”
More than 32,500 candidates sat for CFP certification exams around the world in 2025. Across the FPSB’s global network covering 29 territories and representing more than 500,000 Financial Planning professionals, nearly half hold the CFP certification.
2025 Key Global Numbers:
The United States and Japan recorded the largest gains in the number of CFP certification holders in 2025, with net increases of 4,436 and 805, respectively.
Five territories achieved double digit growth rates in their CFP professional populations:
- Italy: 79.2%
- Chinese Taipei: 23.3%
- Brunei: 21.4%
- Malaysia: 10.5%
- Thailand: 10.1%
The five territories with the highest number of CFP professionals were:
- United States: 107,529
- People’s Republic of China: 32,599
- Japan: 27,786
- Canada: 17,446
- Brazil: 11,425
Other notable milestones:
- Chinese Taipei exceeded 4,000 CFP professionals
- Italy surpassed 100 CFP professionals, significant progress after launching CFP certification in that market in 2023
- San Marino became FPSB’s 29th territory, strengthening the global footprint of the CFP professional community.