UAE's post-pandemic hiring recovery among world’s strongest

The UAE recorded one of the strongest post-pandemic hiring recoveries among major global markets in 2025, according to the UAE Economic Graph Report 2026 by LinkedIn and the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

The report says early data from June 2026 also points to a recovery in hiring and the flow of international talent, following a period of regional volatility earlier in the year.

The report is based on LinkedIn workforce data and examines employment trends, skills and the growth of the UAE’s digital economy.

It found that the UAE was among a small group of countries to maintain hiring activity above 2019 levels throughout 2025, highlighting the resilience of the labour market.

Several sectors helped drive that growth. Real estate recorded the strongest hiring increase compared with 2019, while education, construction, healthcare, administrative services, and transport and logistics also recorded hiring above the national average.

The UAE also remained a leading destination for international talent in 2025, ranking among the top global markets for net talent migration.

The report highlights the country’s strength in future-focused skills. The UAE ranked first globally in FinTech skills and second in attracting artificial intelligence talent relative to population size.

Technology and media, professional services, and manufacturing recorded the highest levels of digital skills.

Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, said talent is a key driver of the UAE’s economic competitiveness, adding that government policies are focused on attracting and retaining skilled professionals from around the world.

LinkedIn’s Head of MENA and EMEA Emerging Markets, Ali Matar, said the latest data shows encouraging signs of recovery in both hiring and talent flows.

The report also points to continued progress in women’s representation in leadership, rising from 18.8 per cent in 2015 to 21.9 per cent in 2025.

The findings underline the UAE’s growing position as a global hub for talent, innovation and the digital economy.