The UAE and broader Gulf region are witnessing a surge in hiring, with nearly 94 per cent of employers planning to recruit over the next six months. According to the latest NaukriGulf Hiring Outlook Report released on Wednesday, Arab, Indian, and Filipino professionals are the most sought-after in the region.

The report shows that 29 per cent of companies are looking to hire Arab talent, 28 per cent are targeting Indian professionals, and 20 per cent are seeking Filipino workers. Other in-demand nationalities include Europeans (eight per cent) and English-speaking professionals (three per cent), highlighting the Gulf’s diverse workforce.

The job market in the UAE and the wider GCC reflects a heavy reliance on expatriate talent. In the UAE, around 85 per cent of the population consists of expatriates, with Indians forming the largest group, representing 37 per cent of the country’s 11 million residents. Saudi Arabia, the region’s largest country, has a foreign workforce that makes up more than 41 per cent of its population.

Other Gulf states, including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman, similarly depend on international professionals. Data from the Gulf Research Centre shows that foreign workers accounted for 55 per cent of the total GCC population as of mid-2022.

The Gulf economies are among the fastest-growing globally, with growth fueled by both oil and non-oil sectors. Post-pandemic, the UAE has experienced a strong inflow of foreign professionals as new companies set up operations and multinational corporations relocated to the country. Saudi Arabia has also been expanding its economy, creating opportunities for both local and international talent.

Hiring Trends: New Roles and Replacements

The NaukriGulf report notes that hiring remains robust across the GCC. About 58 per cent of employers plan to recruit for a mix of new positions and replacements. Another 32 per cent are hiring specifically for newly created roles, while four per cent are focused on replacing existing staff. Only five per cent of firms reported no hiring plans over the next six months.

Most companies (67 per cent) anticipate hiring for in-office or hybrid roles, reflecting a preference for on-site collaboration among employers.

Sharad Sindhwani, business and product head at NaukriGulf, said, “Hiring in the Gulf is moving forward with intent. Employers are prioritising mid-level talent, favouring in-office collaboration, and making every hire count. This growth signals a more mature market where smarter outreach, targeted recruitment, and job-ready candidates will define hiring success.”

Roles and Industries in Demand

The report highlights that the highest demand is for roles in sales and marketing, followed by engineering (non-IT), supply chain and operations, finance, HR, administration, and IT/software development.

Industries leading recruitment include construction and real estate, staffing and recruitment, manufacturing and industrial services, IT and telecom, and oil, gas, chemical, and energy sectors.

With strong hiring momentum across the Gulf, the region remains an attractive destination for skilled professionals seeking career growth and opportunities.