A large majority of technology professionals in the UAE are considering changing jobs within the next year, highlighting rising competition for skilled talent across the region, according to new research by recruitment firm Hays.
Hays found that 75% of tech professionals in the UAE plan to change organisations within the next 12 months. In Saudi Arabia, the figure stands at 72%, compared with a global average of 53%. The findings are based on The Tech Talent Explorer, a global report drawing insights from nearly 10,000 tech professionals across 32 countries.
The report suggests that the Gulf region is facing higher workforce mobility than many global markets.
Ongoing skills gaps
The data also points to persistent skills shortages among employers. According to the Hays GCC Salary and Recruitment Trends Survey 2025, 86% of employers in the region experienced some level of skills shortage in 2024. Of these, 14% described the shortages as extreme, 47% as moderate and 25% as minor. Only 14% reported no skills shortages.
Combined with high employee mobility, this is increasing competition among employers for experienced tech professionals.
Career drives decisions
Globally, the main reasons tech professionals change jobs include job security (51%), better career progression (42%) and recognition and appraisal (32%).
In the UAE, career progression was the strongest motivator, cited by 69% of respondents. This was followed by job security (57%) and recognition and appraisal (52%), suggesting that long-term growth and stability remain key priorities for professionals in the country.
Openness to relocation
The research also highlights strong international mobility among tech professionals. In the UAE, 81% said they are open to working for an organisation based abroad, even if relocation is required. This compares with 50% globally.
Across all markets, 87% of permanent tech professionals and 83% of contractors said they would consider working for an international employer, with half open to moving to another country.
Employer opportunity
Hays said the findings present an opportunity for UAE-based organisations to attract global talent, provided they align roles with candidate expectations beyond salary alone.
Eamonn Hart, Senior Manager at Hays Middle East, said: “With 40% of professionals open to relocation in the UK, and similar trends in other European countries, there is a real opportunity for organisations across the Middle East to attract skilled tech talent by understanding what candidates want and offering them attractive salaries and a good mix of benefits. The Tech Talent Explorer is designed for organisations to compare the motivations of professionals across different regions, ensuring that hiring managers can tailor their talent strategies and make smarter hiring moves.”
