UAE Hiring Recovery Among Strongest Post-Pandemic, 2026 Data Shows Rebound
Hiring stayed above 2019 levels through 2025, with early June data signaling a rebound after regional volatility.
UAE hiring activity stayed above 2019 levels for the whole of 2025, placing the country among the strongest post-pandemic recoveries in leading global markets, according to the UAE Economic Graph Report 2026 by LinkedIn and the Ministry of Foreign Trade. The 2025 figures cover the full year, and hiring never slipped below the pre-pandemic baseline. Early data from June 2026 now points to a recovery in hiring and inbound talent flows after a period of regional volatility earlier in the year.
The report, titled “Labour Market Features and the Digital Economy in the UAE,” draws on LinkedIn workforce data covering hiring, talent migration and skills. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, minister of foreign trade and minister in charge of attracting and retaining talent, said skilled talent is a key pillar of national competitiveness and helps cement the UAE’s role as a global hub for trade, investment and innovation. He added that the findings confirm the country’s economic policies are building a business environment that attracts top professionals and quality investment, in support of a more competitive and sustainable economy.
Labour Market Features and the Digital Economy in the UAE,
Al Zeyoudi also described an integrated government strategy to bring in and keep international talent. Human capital, he said, is the main driver of sustainable economic growth. He said the ecosystem will keep evolving to strengthen the economy’s readiness for the future and to position the UAE as a global venue for talent and the new economy.
Real estate posted the sharpest hiring growth of any sector compared with 2019 levels. Education, construction, health care, administrative and support services, and transport and logistics all grew faster than the national average. The spread of sectors indicates broad-based demand rather than a single concentrated boom.
Professional services account for the largest share of LinkedIn members in the UAE at 14.5%. Manufacturing follows at 12%, and accommodation and hospitality at 9.2%. By job function, operations makes up 21.4% of members, sales 11%, and business development 9.1%. Technology and media, professional services, and manufacturing register the highest penetration of digital skills.
The UAE ranked among the world’s leading markets for net talent migration in 2025, which measures skilled professionals entering versus leaving the country. It ranked first globally in fintech skills and second in attracting artificial intelligence talent relative to population size. Business skills placed 10th, and personal and behavioral skills 11th.
Millennials and Generation Z make up the majority of workers in many sectors, especially accommodation and hospitality, retail, and health care. Women’s representation in leadership positions rose from 18.8% in 2015 to 21.9% in 2025. Education has the highest share of women in leadership, followed by health care and entertainment.
The UAE Economic Graph Report 2026 is the sixth edition released since the launch of the National Strategy for Attracting and Retaining Talent. Each edition tracks how hiring, migration and skills evolve as that strategy takes effect.
