Salary tops jobseekers’ priorities in MENA as hiring trends shift

Salary has become the top priority for job seekers in the MENA region, according to the MENA Salary and Benefits Review 2025 by Tiger Recruitment. The report offers insights into salary expectations, benefits preferences, and workplace trends, based on a July 2024 survey of over 2,100 professionals, with 93% based in the UAE and 7% in Saudi Arabia.

Zahra Clark, Director and Head of Tiger MENA highlighted the region’s strong hiring activity across family offices, hedge funds, real estate, legal services, consultancies, and shipping, driven by continued multi-sector investment in the UAE and the wider Middle East. She remains optimistic about business growth and job opportunities in 2025.

Salary and job mobility trends

The report reveals that 80% of job seekers prioritize salary, followed by benefits (76%) and work-life balance (61%). In 2024, 26% of professionals switched jobs for better pay, while 44% received a salary increase, up from 39% in 2023. Most pay raises ranged between 2.5% and 5%, but employees who received 5-10% increases were significantly less likely to leave.

Job mobility is rising, with 35% of professionals planning to change jobs in 2025, up from 33% in 2024. Only 13% intend to stay in their current roles, with the main reasons for leaving being salary concerns, limited career growth, and lack of skill development opportunities.

Workplace benefits and cost-of-living adjustments

A comprehensive benefits package is an increasing priority, but 28% of employees are dissatisfied with their current benefits. The biggest demand is for benefits to reflect the rising cost of living (64%), followed by professional development opportunities (43%) and better health insurance (37%). Companies offering competitive benefits see higher retention rates, as 24% of highly satisfied employees reported no intention of leaving their jobs, compared to the 13% overall average.

Work-life balance remains a key factor, ranking third in importance. Despite the demand for hybrid work models, 67% of professionals are now in full-time office roles, while only 5% work fully remotely. A four-day workweek is an option for just 2% of employees, though 16% express interest. Companies requiring full-time office attendance may need to offer higher salaries, a sentiment supported by 84% of professionals.

Hiring trends and AI integration

Hiring remains strong in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, particularly in family offices, finance, and technology, driven by initiatives like UAE Vision 2021 and Saudi Vision 2030. The legal sector is seeing increased salary demands, while finance professionals are changing roles due to a lack of skill development opportunities.

AI adoption is growing, with 50% of professionals using AI weekly for research (48%), administrative tasks (38%), and content creation (36%). 70% believe AI enhances their efficiency, underscoring the role of technology in workplace productivity.

The report concludes that employers looking to attract and retain talent in 2025 should focus on competitive salaries, benefits that align with the cost of living, and flexible work options. Pay increases between 5-10% are shown to improve retention, while a strong benefits package and professional growth opportunities contribute to higher job satisfaction.