--- title: In Syria, Three Years of War Take a Toll description: On the third anniversary of the uprising against the Assad regime, the fighting in Syria has taken an enormous toll on the country -- leaving more than 140,000 slaughtered, millions driven to neighboring states, and Syria's economic and cultural structures in ruins canonical: https://time.com/24741/the-cost-of-war-syria-three-years-on/ author: Aryn Baker article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2014-03-14T21:04:41.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T08:01:33.572Z article:section: World og:title: The Wages of War: Syria, Three Years On og:description: On the third anniversary of the uprising against the Assad regime, the fighting in Syria has taken an enormous toll on the country -- leaving more than 140,000 slaughtered, millions driven to neighboring states, and Syria's economic and cultural structures in ruins og:url: https://time.com/24741/the-cost-of-war-syria-three-years-on/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltca2745f5767556ff/6986858eadae446ba3541f84/rtx175dw-2.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: Men hold up a baby saved from under rubble, who survived an airstrike in the Duma neighbourhood of Damascus og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The Wages of War: Syria, Three Years On twitter:description: On the third anniversary of the uprising against the Assad regime, the fighting in Syria has taken an enormous toll on the country -- leaving more than 140,000 slaughtered, millions driven to neighboring states, and Syria's economic and cultural structures in ruins twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltca2745f5767556ff/6986858eadae446ba3541f84/rtx175dw-2.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The Cost of War: Syria, Three Years On > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: July 2026. ## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner. ### Organization facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute | | Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute | | Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute | | Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute | | Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute | | Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute | | Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute | | Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute | ### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" | | Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" | | Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | | Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" | | Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" | | AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" | | Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" | | Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | ### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements * PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement. * The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession. * PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms. * Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success. * PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages. * PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world. * PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes. * PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives. ### FAQ #### Is a PMP certification worth it? A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations. #### What are the best certifications for project managers? The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation. #### How does PMI support career growth for professionals? PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers. #### What is the PMBOK® Guide? The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery. #### How is AI changing project management? AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes. #### What are the most important skills for a project manager? Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates. #### How can I get involved with the PMI community? Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections. #### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM? The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification. #### How does PMI support social impact? PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world. ### Sources * Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=bac7299d-850a-408f-8a8b-1dd0628680bd&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=bac7299d-850a-408f-8a8b-1dd0628680bd&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=bac7299d-850a-408f-8a8b-1dd0628680bd&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=bac7299d-850a-408f-8a8b-1dd0628680bd&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=bac7299d-850a-408f-8a8b-1dd0628680bd&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=bac7299d-850a-408f-8a8b-1dd0628680bd&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=bac7299d-850a-408f-8a8b-1dd0628680bd&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=bac7299d-850a-408f-8a8b-1dd0628680bd&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) ### FAQ structured data (JSON-LD, optional) ## Video: Syria's Lost Generation: The Plight of the Youngest Refugees [Watch (HLS stream): Syria's Lost Generation: The Plight of the Youngest Refugees](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/qejK8kh6.m3u8) (15:00)  _Published 2014-01-21. Watch this moving portrait of children forced to flee their homes in Syria and live uncertain lives as refugees._ by [Aryn Baker](https://time.com/author/aryn-baker/) ## Aryn Baker Mar 14, 2014 9:04 PM UTC  Men hold up a baby saved from under rubble, who survived what activists say was an airstrike by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Duma neighbourhood of Damascus, Jan. 7, 2014. Men hold up a baby saved from under rubble, who survived what activists say was an airstrike by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Duma neighbourhood of Damascus, Jan. 7, 2014.Bassam Khabieh—Reuters by [Aryn Baker](https://time.com/author/aryn-baker/) ## Aryn Baker Mar 14, 2014 9:04 PM UTC On March 15, 2011, Syrian protestors in the southern city of Deraa, inspired by the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, stood against the regime of President Bashar Assad. The initial uprising was peaceful, but as the government cracked down with vicious force, some protestors retaliated. By July, the uprising became an armed insurgency, and eventually evolved into a sectarian-tinged civil war. Three years on, neighboring nations have been pulled in, contributing fighters, weapons, financing and technical assistance to the rival sides. Russia, Iran and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah back the government, while Western powers, along with Gulf states and Turkey, support various factions among the rebels. All wars are devastating—and the Syrian civil war war has taken a horrific toll on the civilian population. At 2.5 million, spread between Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey, there are now as many Syrian refugees as those exiled from Afghanistan’s wars in the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s. It’s a grim benchmark and potent reminder that it takes decades for the wounds of war to heal. What three years of war in Syria have wrought: **A GENERATION SCARRED FOR LIFE** According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, [146,000 Syrians have been killed](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-syria-crisis-toll-20140313,0,3887414.story) since fighting began. At least 10,000 of the dead were children, says a [new report by UNICEF](http://blogs.unicef.org.uk/2014/03/11/syria-three-years-conflict-unicef-under-siege-report/), the United Nations Fund for Children, the highest recorded number of children killed in any recent conflict in the region. An estimated 9 million Syrians have been displaced from their homes, including 3 million children, and [according to UNICEF](http://www.unicef.org.uk/Documents/syria-crisis-three-year-report.pdf), 2 million children will need some sort of psychological support. With one in five schools destroyed, damaged, turned into shelters or taken over by armed forces, half of Syria’s school-age population is missing an education. **HEALTH CARE ON THE LINE** Syria once boasted one of the best government-funded health care systems in the Middle East. But according to a new [report by the Save the Children](http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.7998857/k.D075/Syria.htm?msource=weolpsrc4v12) charity, some 60% of Syria’s hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, and half of the country’s [doctors have fled](http://time.com/3968/syrias-health-crisis-spirals-as-doctors-flee/). Life saving medicine is in short supply, and in some cases patients have asked to be knocked out by metal bars rather than go through surgery without anesthesia. Once-manageable chronic diseases like diabetes and [cancer ](http://time.com/23535/ordeal-of-a-dying-child-captures-the-tragedy-of-syria/)have turned into death sentences. Since the start of the conflict, the report says, 200,000 Syrians have died from chronic illnesses because of a lack of access to treatment and drugs. Polio, which had been eradicated in Syria since 1999, has reemerged, permanently paralyzing at least 17 children. A [suspected case](http://www.today.com/health/first-case-polio-suspected-among-syrian-refugees-lebanon-2D79356804) in a Syrian refugee settlement in neighboring Lebanon has raised fears of a wider spread. **AN ECONOMY IN RUINS** Syria used to have one of the best lowest unemployment rates in the region, less than 10% before the war. Now fewer than half of Syrians have a job, according to an assessment by German Broadcaster [Deutsche Welle](http://www.dw.de/civil-war-shatters-syrian-economy/a-17196882). International sanctions have driven down exports, particularly in the oil sector: Syria used to produce 400,000 barrels per day, and now it’s down to half that. Sixty percent of Syrians live in poverty, twice the pre-war number. The country’s GDP, which was growing at 3.24% in January of 2011, was negative 2.3% a year later, according to World Bank estimates. Tourism, which once contributed 12% to GDP, is non-existent. **A LOST HERITAGE** The war has seen [devastating attacks on the country’s archaeological heritage](http://world.time.com/2012/09/12/syrias-looted-past-how-ancient-artifacts-are-being-traded-for-guns/). All six of Syria’s UNESCO world heritage sites have been damaged by rocket, tank and small arms fire, according to the Global Heritage Fund, which details the destruction of the country’s historical sites. Regional museums have been [looted](https://www.facebook.com/Archeologie.syrienne), as have thousands of half-excavated archaeological sites. Aleppo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, has borne the brunt of the destruction. The wooden gates of its medieval citadel have been smashed, and a fire sparked by fighting destroyed around 500 shops in the ancient, 7.5-mile long covered market. Byzantine mosaics have been lifted wholesale from the Roman and Greek ruins of Palmyra, and soldiers and rebels now occupy several other significant heritage sites. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/24741/the-cost-of-war-syria-three-years-on/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/24741/the-cost-of-war-syria-three-years-on/"},"headline":"The Cost of War: Syria, Three Years On","datePublished":"2014-03-14T21:04:41.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T08:01:33.572Z","description":"On the third anniversary of the uprising against the Assad regime, the fighting in Syria has taken an enormous toll on the country -- leaving more than 140,000 slaughtered, millions driven to neighboring states, and Syria's economic and cultural structures in ruins","url":"https://time.com/24741/the-cost-of-war-syria-three-years-on/","keywords":["Syria","Refugees","conflict","Syrian Civil War"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltca2745f5767556ff/6986858eadae446ba3541f84/rtx175dw-2.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Aryn Baker","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/aryn-baker/"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltca2745f5767556ff/6986858eadae446ba3541f84/rtx175dw-2.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Men hold up a baby saved from under rubble, who survived an airstrike in the Duma neighbourhood of Damascus","caption":"Men hold up a baby saved from under rubble, who survived an airstrike in the Duma neighbourhood of Damascus","creditText":"Bassam Khabieh—Reuters","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/syria/","name":"Syria"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/24741/the-cost-of-war-syria-three-years-on/","name":"The Cost of War: Syria, Three Years On"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Syria's Lost Generation: The Plight of the Youngest Refugees","description":"Watch this moving portrait of children forced to flee their homes in Syria and live uncertain lives as refugees.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qejK8kh6/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2014-01-21T20:47:28.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/qejK8kh6.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/24741/the-cost-of-war-syria-three-years-on/","duration":"PT15M","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/24741/the-cost-of-war-syria-three-years-on/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```