According to ManpowerGroup's own Q3 2025 survey of more than 530 UAE employers, the country's Net Employment Outlook was +48%, and ManpowerGroup's release states that the UAE ranks #1 globally for hiring optimism. That is the latest reading we have verified from the primary source, and it is a September 2025 snapshot, not a forecast for 2026. This page sets out what the survey said, how to read it, and where to find newer readings.
Updated October 2026. We rebuilt this page from sources we could check directly. Figures we could not trace to a published source were removed, and a comparison that the cited ManpowerGroup page does not contain was corrected. Hiring surveys are published every quarter, so check the latest ManpowerGroup release for the UAE before you rely on any single number.
Key Takeaways
- The UAE recorded a +48% Net Employment Outlook in ManpowerGroup's Q3 2025 survey of more than 530 employers.
- 56% of those employers planned to increase hiring and only 8% anticipated a decrease.
- Transport, Logistics and Automotive (+64%), Energy and Utilities (+62%) and Consumer Goods and Services (+60%) had the strongest sector outlooks.
- This is a Q3 2025 reading. Newer surveys exist and can differ, so use it as context, not as a 2026 forecast.
What is the UAE job market outlook for 2026?
No single survey settles the 2026 outlook. The reading we can verify from the primary source is ManpowerGroup's Q3 2025 result: a +48% Net Employment Outlook among more than 530 UAE employers. Later quarterly surveys have been published since, so treat this figure as a dated benchmark and check the newest release before you plan headcount.
| Indicator | UAE reading | Survey period |
|---|---|---|
| Net Employment Outlook | +48% | Q3 2025 |
| Employers planning to increase hiring | 56% | Q3 2025 |
| Employers anticipating a decrease | 8% | Q3 2025 |
| Employers surveyed | More than 530 | Q3 2025 |
Source: ManpowerGroup Middle East, UAE Leads Global Hiring Trends in Q3 2025.
The figures fit together: 56% planning to increase hiring, minus 8% planning to decrease, gives the +48% headline. That also shows what the number measures. It is employer intent, not hires made, and intent can change quickly when conditions change, which is why a one-quarter reading ages fast.
Which UAE sectors had the strongest hiring outlook?
In the same survey, three UAE sectors stood out: Transport, Logistics and Automotive at +64%, Energy and Utilities at +62%, and Consumer Goods and Services at +60%. These are employer-intent readings for one quarter. They say nothing about salaries or how hard a role is to fill.
For hiring conditions by industry, see our Sector Insights page. For the technology and infrastructure side, see our analysis of GCC AI infrastructure hiring.
What does this mean for pay?
ManpowerGroup's survey measures hiring intent, not pay. For salary ranges by role, use our Salary Benchmarking Tool and our GCC banking and finance salary analysis, which publish their sources.
How should employers use hiring-intent data?
This is our view, not survey data.
- Treat it as one input. A survey shows what employers intend to do. Check it against your own pipeline, offer acceptance and time to fill before you change a hiring plan.
- Plan by role, not by country. Sector readings in one market differ from the headline, so the roles you hire for matter more than the national number.
- Check the date every time. A figure from one quarter says little about the next.
How does nationalization policy affect hiring?
Emiratisation and Saudization rules change which roles employers can fill and how. We cover the UAE rules in detail in our Emiratisation guide, and the hiring-strategy side in our guide to nationalization policies and talent acquisition.
Hiring into this market? Talk to our team about an executive search or technical search built around current data. You can also see all our recruitment services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the UAE's Net Employment Outlook in Q3 2025?
ManpowerGroup's Q3 2025 survey of more than 530 UAE employers recorded a Net Employment Outlook of +48%, and the release states that the UAE ranks #1 globally for hiring optimism. It is a past reading, so check the latest ManpowerGroup release for the current one.
What does Net Employment Outlook measure?
It measures employer hiring intent, not hires made and not salaries. In the Q3 2025 UAE survey, 56% of employers planned to increase hiring and only 8% anticipated a decrease, which fits the +48% headline.
Which UAE sectors had the strongest hiring outlook in that survey?
Transport, Logistics and Automotive led at +64%, followed by Energy and Utilities at +62% and Consumer Goods and Services at +60%. These are one-quarter readings of employer intent.
Where can I find the latest UAE hiring survey?
ManpowerGroup publishes its Employment Outlook Survey every quarter, including a UAE edition on its Middle East site. Check the newest edition and its survey period before you quote any figure.
Sources
Data notice. Figures are indicative and as of the dates cited, so check the original source before relying on them. Found an error? Email hr@peopleconnectglobal.com with the subject "Correction" and we will review and fix it. General information, not advice; to the extent permitted by law, People Connect Global accepts no liability for decisions based on it.
