The UAE recorded one of the strongest hiring recoveries among major global markets in 2025, with early data showing hiring and talent inflows improving again in June 2026 after regional volatility earlier this year, according to a new LinkedIn report.
The UAE Economic Graph Report 2026, prepared by LinkedIn with the Ministry of Foreign Trade, found that the UAE was among a small group of countries where hiring remained above 2019 levels throughout 2025.
Hiring growth
Real estate recorded the strongest hiring growth compared with 2019, while education, construction, healthcare, administrative and support services, and transport and logistics also recorded hiring above the national average.
Professional services had the largest share of LinkedIn members in the UAE at 14.5%, followed by manufacturing at 12% and accommodation and hospitality at 9.2%.
The report said hiring activity and inbound talent flows showed signs of improvement by June 2026 following a period of volatility earlier in the year.
Global talent
The UAE remained a leading destination for international talent in 2025, ranking among the top global markets for net talent migration.
The report also found that the UAE ranked first globally for FinTech skills and second for attracting artificial intelligence talent relative to population size. It ranked tenth for business skills and 11th for personal and behavioural skills.
Technology and media, professional services, and manufacturing had the highest levels of digital skills penetration.
HE Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Attracting and Retaining Talent, said: “Talent and competencies are a key pillar in enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy and consolidating the UAE’s position as a global hub for trade, investment and innovation. The results of this report confirm the success of the country’s economic policies in building a global business environment that attracts the brightest minds, talents and quality investments, in support of our national goal of building a more competitive and sustainable economy.”
“The UAE government has developed an integrated strategy to attract and retain the best international talent, based on its belief that human capital is the main driver of sustainable economic growth. We will continue to develop this ecosystem to strengthen our economy’s readiness for the future, support innovation, and position the UAE as a global hub for talent and the new economy.”
Digital workforce
Operations accounted for the largest share of LinkedIn members in the UAE at 21.4%, followed by sales at 11% and business development at 9.1%.
The UAE workforce also has a large share of Millennials and Generation Z workers, particularly in accommodation and hospitality, retail and healthcare.
Female representation in leadership roles increased from 18.8% in 2015 to 21.9% in 2025. Education recorded the highest share of women in leadership, followed by healthcare and entertainment.
Ali Matar, Head of LinkedIn MENA and EMEA Emerging Markets, said: “After a period of volatility in the region earlier this year, LinkedIn’s latest data points to impressive signs of recovery in the UAE across hiring and talent flows. This builds on the UAE’s exceptional performance in 2025, when it recorded one of the strongest post-pandemic hiring rates among top global markets and reinforced its position as a leading destination for global talent. We at LinkedIn are proud to partner with the Ministry of Foreign Trade to provide timely workforce insights that help policymakers and businesses respond to change, invest in priority skills, and support sustainable economic growth.”
The UAE Economic Graph Report 2026 is the sixth edition released since the launch of the National Strategy for Attracting and Retaining Talent. It uses LinkedIn workforce data to provide insights into hiring, talent movement, skills and the UAE’s digital economy.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
