Today's Edition
A.SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
The UAE job market is on the cusp of significant disruption, with over 28% of current roles at risk of redundancy in the next five years, according to the Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum (WEF). A massive technological revolution is driving this transformation, reshaping industries and altering workforce demands.
The report states that 56% of current jobs in the UAE will undergo substantial change. Of these, 28% of employees can be upskilled in their existing roles, while 18% will need to be retrained and redeployed in new roles. However, 10% of the workforce will become entirely redundant, as they cannot be upskilled for future roles.
In a positive development, the report highlights that 44% of current jobs in the UAE will remain unchanged over the next five years, a figure that surpasses the global average of 41%.
Additionally, 41% of core skills in UAE jobs are projected to change by 2030, slightly above the global average of 39%, emphasising the urgency of reskilling and upskilling efforts.
Companies headquartered in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including the UAE, display greater optimism about talent availability in the next five years compared to their global counterparts. Approximately 46% of employers in the region expect an improved hiring outlook, driven by accelerated automation and technological integration.
In the UAE, the push for digitalisation and climate-change adaptation is expected to significantly influence business models by 2030. Autonomous technologies are projected to handle 43% of total work tasks, well above the global average of 34%.
As part of this shift, 87% of UAE employers foresee a rising demand for technological literacy. Other critical skills anticipated to grow include expertise in AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, alongside essential human skills like leadership and social influence.
Global Overview
Globally, the Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts a net growth of 78 million jobs by 2030, with 170 million new roles created and 92 million displaced—equivalent to 22% of the current global workforce.
Technological advancements, demographic shifts, geoeconomic tensions, and economic pressures are the primary drivers of this disruption, reshaping industries and professions worldwide. While technology-related skills such as AI, big data, and cybersecurity will see surging demand, human skills like creative thinking, resilience, and flexibility will remain critical for navigating this transformation.
Frontline roles and essential sectors like care and education are also set for the highest job growth by 2030, the report predicted.
“Trends such as generative AI and rapid technological shifts are upending industries and labour markets, creating both unprecedented opportunities and profound risks,” said Till Leopold, Head of Work, Wages, and Job Creation at the WEF.
“The time is now for businesses and governments to work together, invest in skills, and build an equitable and resilient global workforce,” Leopold added.
The WEF report is based on data from over 1,000 companies across the world.
