Economic growth, rise of AI driving dynamic labour market in UAE 

ABU DHABI: The UAE's job market has established itself as a premier global destination for professionals seeking opportunities across various sectors. This success is credited to the country's robust and diversified economy, bolstered by an investment-friendly environment that enhances its appeal.

The UAE is recognised as one of the most attractive markets for skilled professionals worldwide, thanks to its competitive advantages, including advanced infrastructure, diverse opportunities, and forward-looking strategies emphasising digital transformation and sustainability. Additionally, the UAE sets a global benchmark in safeguarding workers' rights and ensuring a safe and stable work environment.

As 2025 commences, the UAE is expected to experience an increased demand for highly skilled professionals, particularly in AI and fields leveraging AI technologies across various industries.

According to global reports and rankings, the UAE continues to rank among the top hubs for global talent. A 2024 report by Deel, a global HR management company, highlighted the UAE as the top choice for workers seeking work visas worldwide. Regionally, the country ranked first and fifth globally among the most preferred destinations for digital nomads, as per CEOWORLD Magazine. Additionally, the UAE secured the fourth spot globally in the InterNations ranking of the best countries for expatriates to live and work.

Rabea Ataya, CEO of Bayt.com, stated that AI will significantly shape the UAE's job market in 2025. Automating repetitive tasks will allow professionals to focus on problem-solving, continuous learning, and relationship-building. Ataya views this as an opportunity for individuals and organisations to transcend routine roles and embrace career paths that blend data-driven insights with personal intuition.

Ataya also highlighted that the trends in the UAE job market in 2025 will foster growth and innovation across the region. He emphasised the increasing demand for professionals in technology and healthcare sectors, including software engineers due to AI advancements, and healthcare practitioners in response to population growth and diverse health needs. Industries such as marketing, encompassing advertising, public relations, and digital marketing, are also significant employers of recent graduates.

Asem Galal, Managing Partner of Galal & Karawi Management Consulting (G&K), highlighted the correlation between employment trends and economic growth. He noted that the UAE job market will continue its upward trajectory, supported by strong economic performance. Global and local institutions predict UAE economic growth rates surpassing global averages, with projections for 2025 including a 5.1% growth forecast by the International Monetary Fund, 4.1% by the World Bank, and 4.5% by the UAE Central Bank. This economic expansion is expected to positively impact the job market, particularly for professionals skilled in AI-related fields, including machine learning, AI programming, data science, and process automation experts.

Ahmed Gamal, Business Development Manager for Nvidia AI Solutions at Advanced Integration, highlighted the UAE's significant advancements in AI and technology. The country's sovereign AI projects and large-scale data centres are expected to create more job opportunities requiring high-level expertise, particularly for programmers and specialists.

By RSS/ANI/WAM