The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) job market has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the past five years, with employment surging by nearly 7 million workers, according to the latest data from the Gulf Statistical Center. Between 2020 and 2024, the total workforce across the GCC grew from 28 million to 34.9 million, marking a 24.8% increase. This growth has been driven by robust labour market reforms, private-sector development, and a significant rise in female workforce participation, which expanded by 11.6% during the same period, from 2.8 million to 3.1 million women. The UAE has emerged as a regional leader in fostering a more dynamic, diversified, and inclusive labour market, particularly through its Emiratisation programme, Nafis, which has expanded to include small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and incentivised private-sector employment for Emiratis. Across the GCC, targeted reforms such as Saudi Arabia’s Saudisation policies, Kuwait’s private-sector incentives, and Bahrain’s flexible work permits have further bolstered workforce growth. Notably, women’s participation in the workforce has been a standout trend, with female nationals increasing from 2.2 million to 2.3 million between 2023 and 2024. However, challenges remain in achieving gender parity in leadership roles, as women still account for only 28% of promotions in top-performing companies. Despite this, 95% of leading companies in the region now offer leadership training for women, and 79% provide formal mentoring, signalling a cultural shift toward greater workplace inclusivity. Experts predict that the Gulf’s focus on integrating women into growth sectors like technology, finance, and renewable energy could mark a historic turning point for gender parity, with the UAE’s inclusive economic agenda serving as a model for the wider region.
Gulf job market adds 7 million workers as UAE leads shift toward gender-inclusive growth
