UAE hiring rebounds in 2026 after one of world’s strongest post-pandemic recoveries
Real estate leads sectors where employment activity remains particularly strong
DUBAI – The UAE labour market is showing early signs of a rebound in 2026, with hiring activity and the inflow of international talent improving by June after a volatile start to the year.
New LinkedIn data places the country among the strongest labour market recoveries globally since the pandemic. The findings also build on a particularly strong performance in 2025, when the UAE recorded one of the highest hiring recovery rates among major global markets compared with pre-pandemic levels.
The findings come from the UAE Economic Graph Report 2026, prepared by LinkedIn in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Trade. Titled Labour Market Features and the Digital Economy in the UAE, the sixth edition of the report draws on LinkedIn workforce data to examine employment trends, talent movement, skills and the development of the UAE's digital economy.
The report found that the UAE was among only a small number of countries globally where hiring activity remained above 2019 levels throughout 2025. While regional volatility affected hiring and talent migration trends during the early months of 2026, the latest data showed both indicators improving by June.
Ali Matar, Head of LinkedIn MENA and EMEA Emerging Markets, said the latest figures pointed to signs of recovery across hiring and talent flows after the volatility earlier in the year. He said the improvement builds on the UAE's performance in 2025 and its position as a destination for global talent.
Strong sectors
Real estate recorded the highest hiring growth of any sector compared with 2019 levels, making it the strongest-performing area identified in the report. Education, construction, healthcare, administrative and support services, and transport and logistics also recorded hiring levels above the national average.
Professional services represented the largest share of LinkedIn members in the UAE, accounting for 14.5 percent of the platform's membership. Manufacturing followed with 12 percent, while accommodation and hospitality accounted for 9.2 percent.
The figures offer an indication of where employment activity has remained strongest as the wider labour market adjusts following the volatility recorded earlier this year.
The UAE also continued to attract internationally mobile professionals. In 2025, it ranked among the leading global markets for net talent migration, a measure that compares the movement of skilled professionals into the country with those leaving it.
The report linked the UAE's ability to attract international talent to factors including its long-term visa programmes and business environment. The country's policies aimed at attracting and retaining skilled professionals have also formed part of its broader economic strategy.
Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Attracting and Retaining Talent, said talent and competencies were a key pillar in strengthening the competitiveness of the national economy and the UAE's position as a global hub for trade, investment and innovation.
He said the government's strategy was focused on attracting and retaining international talent, with human capital regarded as a key driver of sustainable economic growth. The strategy is also intended to support innovation and strengthen the country's readiness for the future economy.
Skills in demand
The report highlighted the UAE's strong position in specialised and emerging skills. The country ranked first globally in FinTech skills and second in attracting artificial intelligence talent relative to population size.
It ranked tenth globally in business skills and eleventh in personal and behavioural skills. Technology and media, professional services, and manufacturing recorded the highest levels of digital skills penetration among sectors in the UAE.
Operations represented the largest share of LinkedIn members by job function, at 21.4 percent. Sales accounted for 11 percent, followed by business development at 9.1 percent.
The workforce also has a relatively young profile across several industries. Millennials and Generation Z make up the majority of workers in a number of sectors, particularly accommodation and hospitality, retail, and healthcare.
The report said this demographic profile was linked with the country's capacity for innovation and technology adoption as businesses respond to the growing importance of digital skills.
LinkedIn said the workforce data can help policymakers and businesses respond to changes in the labour market, identify priority skills and support sustainable economic growth.
Women in leadership
The report also recorded progress in female representation in leadership positions across the UAE. Women's share of leadership roles increased to 21.9 percent in 2025, compared with 18.8 percent in 2015.
Education recorded the highest proportion of women in leadership positions among sectors, followed by healthcare and entertainment.
The latest report is the sixth edition produced since the launch of the National Strategy for Attracting and Retaining Talent. The continuing partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Trade and LinkedIn is intended to provide workforce data and indicators that can support policymaking while strengthening the UAE's position as a global centre for talent and the digital economy.