UAE Hiring Activity Rebounds 16% as Mid-Level Roles Surge
UAE hiring activity has rebounded by 16% since April, driven by a 24% surge in mid-level roles and strong growth in manufacturing and healthcare.
The job market in the United Arab Emirates is witnessing a significant recovery, with hiring activity climbing 16% between April and September 2026. According to the latest Naukrigulf Hiring Index, the index reading rose to 1,167 in September, up from a baseline of 1,007 recorded in April.
The index, which monitors over 200,000 annual hiring mandates from more than 7,000 employers across the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, provides a clear picture of the shifting employment landscape in the region. While overall hiring levels remain approximately 9% lower than they were at the same time last year, the gap is steadily narrowing.
Mid-Level Roles Drive the Recovery
The primary engine behind this recent growth has been the demand for mid-level positions. Specifically, roles offering salaries of up to AED 10,000 (approximately $2,723) per month saw a massive 24% jump during this period.
Sharad Sindhwani of Naukrigulf noted that the upward trend has been consistent since May. He highlighted that the rebound is being largely fueled by specific sectors, including engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, and real estate.
Top Performing Industries
The recovery is widespread, with 14 out of 15 major industries reporting growth. The sectors leading this expansion include:
- Manufacturing: 32% growth
- Healthcare: 26% growth
- Real Estate and Construction: 20% growth
Shifting Trends in Recruitment
Beyond sector-specific growth, there are notable shifts in how companies are approaching recruitment. The data shows that 56% of total UAE hiring mandates now have no nationality preference, an increase from 54% the previous year. This suggests a potentially more inclusive approach to talent acquisition across the Emirates.
However, the recovery has not been uniform across all salary brackets. While lower-to-mid-level roles are thriving, the market for high-salary positions—specifically those paying above AED 30,000 per month—remains relatively soft.
Furthermore, certain sectors have faced headwinds. The Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector experienced declines in hiring mandates between April and September, contrasting sharply with the booming manufacturing and healthcare industries.