Across the Gulf, more than five million private-sector jobs are projected to be created by 2030.
The United Arab Emirates has ranked first globally in hiring intent for 2026, with 56 per cent of employers planning to expand their workforce, according to new data from Taaeen Group.
Across the Gulf, more than five million private-sector jobs are expected to be created by 2030, driven by growth in technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and energy.
The figures come as Gulf governments accelerate economic diversification, with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia investing heavily in smart cities, clean energy, and digital infrastructure — creating strong demand for specialised talent that the regional market is still working to meet.
Where demand is highest
AI engineering, cybersecurity, and data science are seeing the sharpest rise in demand, with leadership and technical roles up 40 per cent as the Gulf moves to position itself as a global technology hub.
The finance and legal sector is also expanding, driven by fintech and knowledge-based services, while energy and infrastructure remain strong contributors, supported by clean energy projects and large-scale urban development.
Salaries are rising alongside demand. Average salary growth stands at 4.6 per cent in Saudi Arabia and 4.1 per cent in the United Arab Emirates, with AI, finance, and technology specialists seeing increases of more than 10 per cent due to a shortage of qualified professionals.
Gap between intent and action
Despite the hiring surge, a significant skills gap is emerging. While 73 per cent of organisations say skills-based hiring is essential, only 19 per cent are actively applying it — a 54-point gap that Taaeen Group says is slowing HR transformation across the region.
Only 12 per cent of large organisations have active skills-based practices in place, and just 10 per cent maintain verified skills data on their workforce. A further 44 per cent remain in planning or pilot stages, according to Deloitte’s 2026 Global Human Capital Trends report.
The disconnect runs deeper. While 58 per cent of organisations prioritise skills-based hiring, fewer than half actually verify the skills they hire for. Half have no live skills assessments in place, meaning many employers are expanding headcount without a clear understanding of the capabilities they are bringing in.
Attracting skilled professionals ranks as the top concern for 47 per cent of HR leaders, with more than 30 per cent identifying skills development as their highest priority. Seven in ten leaders say speed and agility are their main competitive strategy, yet most organisations are still moving slowly on the ground.
The stakes are high. Seventy per cent of current job types are expected to change by 2030, and 1.4 million workers will need to reskill. Organisations using a skills-first model achieve up to five times higher transformation efficiency, with hiring accuracy improving by 10 to 20 per cent.
Hybrid work here to stay
Half of UAE workplaces are expected to adopt hybrid models soon. With 80 per cent of employees willing to switch jobs for better pay or flexibility, retention has become just as critical as recruitment. Workplace culture, career growth opportunities, and working conditions are now as important as compensation packages.
Taaeen Group recommends organisations take three immediate steps: define a skills taxonomy that maps the competencies needed today and over the next three years; rebuild job descriptions around skills rather than titles; and invest in skills intelligence tools that provide verified, real-time workforce data.
The Gulf hiring boom is accelerating. According to the report, the winners will not be those who hire the most, but those who invest now in workforce planning, skills development, and retention strategies. Those that wait, it warns, will pay the price.
