The United Arab Emirates is experiencing a significant transformation in its employment landscape, with a remarkable 72% of the workforce actively planning to seek new positions in 2026. This trend emerges amidst growing competition and increasing complexity in the hiring process, according to recent data from LinkedIn’s comprehensive survey of the Emirates’ job market.
Current statistics reveal that 65% of UAE employees report increased difficulty in securing employment compared to the previous year, while 63% attribute this challenge primarily to heightened competition. Paradoxically, despite these market pressures, 74% of workers express satisfaction with their current roles while simultaneously anticipating a highly competitive job environment in the coming year.
Demographic expansion plays a crucial role in this employment dynamic. Official figures indicate the UAE’s population surged from 11.02 million at the end of 2024 to 11.52 million in 2025, representing substantial growth of nearly two million residents over the past five years. This population boom has created a corresponding increase in job seekers competing for available positions.
The nation’s strategic economic shift toward knowledge-based industries has simultaneously driven demand for white-collar and highly skilled professionals. This transition creates a unique market situation where three out of four hiring professionals report increased difficulty in identifying qualified candidates, indicating pressure on both sides of the employment equation.
Ali Matar, LinkedIn’s Emerging Markets Leader for EMEA, commented: ‘UAE professionals rank among the most digitally advanced globally, yet they’re navigating an exceptionally rapid evolution in hiring practices.’
LinkedIn’s research provides strategic recommendations for job seekers:
• Embrace market responsiveness by monitoring industry trends and identifying necessary skills
• Utilize AI-powered tools for efficient job matching and application processes
• Maintain updated professional profiles with verified credentials
• Leverage LinkedIn’s Premium features to highlight strong interest in specific positions
• Cultivate professional networks to uncover unexpected opportunities
• Explore emerging roles through LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise platform with detailed market insights
This employment landscape reflects the complex interplay between demographic growth, economic transformation, and evolving professional expectations in one of the Middle East’s most dynamic economies.