BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
The UAE outpaces global employment trends, with hiring sentiment in the country ranked among the strongest globally, according to the Q1 2026 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
Based on responses from 39,000 employers across 41 countries, the survey examines hiring expectations for the first quarter of the year ahead. Employers reported whether they plan to maintain current staffing levels, hire new employees, or reduce headcount through layoffs or expected departures.
Hiring conditions are then measured using the Net Employment Outlook (NEO), which represents the difference between the percentage of employers planning to increase staff and those expecting to reduce staffing levels.
For the UAE, the resulting NEO score was 46%, representing the third strongest hiring sentiment globally, following Brazil (54%) and India (52%). The country also far exceeds the global average, which stands at 24%.
The UAE’s robust labour market performance is reflected not just in employer sentiment, but in actual hiring trends and sectoral growth.
Based on LinkedIn’s Economic Graph data for September 2025, several key sectors are driving the hiring momentum in the country.
Najat Abdelhadi, LinkedIn Career Expert, said the real estate and equipment rental services sector leads with an impressive 15.8% year-over-year growth, followed by entertainment providers at 10.1% and consumer services at 9.8%.
Education hiring also increased by 7.4%, while technology, information and media rose by 6.7%, and construction posted a 5.2% annual gain.
“The diversity of these leading sectors, spanning traditional industries like real estate and construction — alongside innovation-driven fields like technology and consumer-facing sectors like entertainment and services — reflects the UAE’s balanced economic expansion,” Abdelhadi told Aletihad.
This employment growth across multiple sectors underscores the strength of the UAE’s economic momentum and sustained demand for talent across both established and emerging industries, she added.
“The UAE’s hiring momentum significantly strengthens its long-term position as a global hub for talent, entrepreneurship, and innovation,” Abdelhadi said.
Despite broader EMEA-LATAM hiring declining 11.6% year over year in September, the UAE demonstrated remarkable resilience, with hiring remaining well above pre-pandemic levels and up by 16.7%, the LinkedIn expert said.
The 6.7% hiring growth in technology, information, and media also highlighted the country’s successful digital transformation and growing appeal to tech talent and innovative enterprises globally, she noted.
“The UAE’s continued strong sectoral performance, with six major industries posting positive growth, showcases its competitive advantage and economic diversification. This creates a virtuous cycle that attracts international talent and entrepreneurial ventures seeking access to regional and global markets, positioning the UAE as a leading destination for innovation and business growth,” Abdelhadi said.