According to Halian’s 2025 GCC Market Report and Salary Guide, 71% of companies are planning to expand their workforce by the end of 2024.
As one of the world’s leading recruitment and IT service partners, Halian’s insights highlight strong growth prospects in the region’s job market.
According to the survey, 48% of companies are more optimistic about growth opportunities in 2025 than in 2024.
Another interesting observation is the majority of companies (60%) are open to increasing salaries if employees perform according to expectations and are willing to upskill themselves.
Providing an in-depth analysis of employment trends across various sectors in the GCC, the report aims to empower both recruiters and job seekers to make informed decisions in a dynamic and evolving market.
For the report, Halian surveyed over 2,700 professionals in the Technology, Finance, Marketing, Creative and Design, Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Construction industries.
Employee findings
The comprehensive study has allowed Halian to make several key regional findings, including interesting comparisons between labour markets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
For instance, while 35% of UAE employees perceive their work-life balance as fair, the percentage is slightly higher for KSA, with 38% of employees reporting a positive balance.
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In addition, while 45% of respondents overall felt that their workload was manageable and could be completed within a standard workweek, 41% of respondents from KSA and almost 50% from UAE indicated that they had felt the pressure to work extra hours.
In terms of salaries and increases, 40% of professionals surveyed reported an increase of between 5% and 10% in their salaries this year. Of these, 49% of increases were performance-based, and 14.9% were due to a job change. 44% of respondents also noted that they expect a salary increase before the end of 2024.
Moreover, 37% of employees were found to be very optimistic about future employment opportunities, with 24.3% hoping to receive a promotion within their current organisation. Further underscoring their positivity about the GCC labour market, 47% of employees are actively engaged in pursuing additional education and certification.
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When it comes to benefits, the report found that medical insurance is the most in-demand benefit (80%), followed by air tickets home (55%) and flexible work arrangements (41%).
As such, better compensation and benefits (42%), followed by career advancement (23%), are the main reasons employees are changing jobs.
The report also found that organisations in the GCC are placing a strong emphasis on technology, with a growing demand for talent skilled in technological initiatives, reflecting plans to invest more heavily in technology in the coming years.
Gen Z findings
With Gen Z making up 11.6% of respondents, the report also reveals interesting findings about the generation and their role in the workplace.
Key observations include that clear career growth opportunities are most important to this generation, while 38.23% of participants also indicated that they believe their Gen Z colleagues have a positive influence on their team dynamics.
Commenting on the report, Halian CEO Stuart Fry says: “In today’s globalised world, understanding the intricacies of regional employment landscapes is crucial for any business striving for sustained success. Our team has carefully gathered, analysed, and synthesised data from diverse sectors across the GCC, yielding a comprehensive perspective on salary trends, talent acquisition, and the shifting dynamics of the recruitment environment.”
Indicating a combined sense of optimism, along with a strategic focus on skill development and career growth, the report reveals a strong foundation for long-term growth and prosperity in the region, suggesting a promising economic outlook for the Middle East.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
