UAE leads GCC in job growth, projects continued hiring in 2025

The UAE recorded the highest job growth among GCC nations, with an 8% increase in the third quarter, followed by Saudi Arabia at 7%, according to Cooper Fitch’s latest Gulf employment market study.

Recruiters anticipate that this hiring momentum will carry over into 2025, driven by strong performances in both oil and non-oil sectors. Cooper Fitch’s data shows a 6.5% overall increase in job creation across the GCC in Q3.

"This figure signals a boost in job opportunities across the GCC as we enter the final quarter of 2024," the recruitment firm stated. "The uptick in hiring activity reflects a recovery after a challenging start to the year, with expectations for continued growth into early next year,” Cooper Fitch analysts added.

Third-quarter surge in GCC jobs market

Following a weaker-than-expected second quarter, the GCC job market demonstrated a solid rebound in Q3, with a 6.5% year-on-year increase in new jobs compared to the same period in 2023.

This growth aligns with Cooper Fitch’s forecast of a 5% rise in job opportunities for the remainder of 2024, as highlighted in its Gulf Employment Index.

High-demand sectors

Key sectors driving employment in the GCC include strategy, banking, real estate, legal, investment, data and AI, software development, and supply chain management.

In the UAE and neighboring GCC countries, high oil prices and robust growth in non-oil sectors have spurred expansion across travel, tourism, real estate, aviation, banking, finance, retail, and logistics, creating numerous job openings.

This expansion also attracted a wave of new companies to the market, further boosting employment.

Population growth and economic forecast

The UAE’s burgeoning job market has drawn significant numbers of professionals, especially to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as investors relocating to capitalize on the region’s economic boom.

Consequently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its growth forecast for the UAE for 2024 and 2025 earlier this year.

Sector-specific job growth

According to Cooper Fitch, the strategy consulting sector reported a remarkable 14% surge in new job openings, particularly within technology, media, telecommunications, transportation, energy, and retail.

Meanwhile, the real estate sector saw a 9% increase in job opportunities as companies began implementing their 2024 hiring plans.

Elsewhere in the GCC, Qatar experienced a 3% rise in job creation, while Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman saw declines in new job opportunities.