Q1
2026
ManpowerGroup
Employment Outlook Survey
UAE FINDINGS
© ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey
ManpowerGroup
Employment Outlook Survey
Executive Summary
525 employers in Singapore were asked about their first quarter hiring intentions in the latest edition of the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
More than 500 employers in UAE reported a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 46% as they forecast Q1 2026 staffing changes in the latest edition of the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
Hiring increases are driven by company expansion.
Strongest NEOs
Financials and Real Estate
Net Employment Outlook results range from +100% to –100%
Net Employment Outlook data are seasonally adjusted to mitigate the impact of typical annual hiring fluctuations.
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
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Hiring decreases are driven by market shifts lowering job demand.
UAE Employment Outlooks has increased by 1 point since the previous quarter and ranks 3rd globally, behind Brazil and India.
Reported for Q1 2026
73%
Finance & Insurance
83%
Automotive
50%
Organizations with 5000 or more employees
56%
Organizations with 1000 - 4999 employees
Most Improved NEOs
Compared to the previous quarter
+28pts
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
+29pts
Hospitality
Hiring increases are driven by company expansion.
23%
Reported for Q1 2026
Strongest NEOs
23%
Information
+11pts
Construction & Real Estate
Net Employment Outlook data are seasonally adjusted to mitigate the impact of typical annual hiring fluctuations.
Executive Summary
Singapore Employer Hiring Sentiment
Singapore Salary & Bonus Plans
Workforce Trends
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+10pts
Organizations with 10- 49 employees
+3pts
Organizations with 50-249 employees
Q1 2026 UAE Hiring Sentiment
Executive Summary
UAE Employer Hiring Sentiment
Singapore Salary & Bonus Plans
Workforce Trends
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Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Singapore Hiring Sentiment
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UAE Employer Expectations
10% of employers reported they are anticipating staff reductions.
56% of employers said they planned to increase their staff between January and March.
33% of employers said they planned to keep staffing levels unchanged.
1% of employers were unsure how staffing levels would change in the months ahead.
How will your staff size change next quarter?
32% of employers said they planned to increase their staff between January and March.
32% of employers said they planned to increase their staff between January and March.
UAE Hiring Sentiment
Executive Summary
UAE Hiring Sentiment
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Executive Summary
UAE Employer Hiring Sentiment
Singapore Salary & Bonus Plans
Workforce Trends
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Outlooks Across Key Industry Sectors in UAE
Automotive employers reported the highest NEO, while Hospitality marked the most improved when compared to the previous quarter.
Manufacturing
83%
+19 pts
+29 pts
-1 pt
+28 pts
+11 pts
+2 pts
-10 pts
+6 pts
65%
56%
56%
48%
43%
41%
37%
37%
Automotive
Hospitality
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Construction & Real Estate
Public Sector, Health & Social Services
Utilities & Natural Resources
Information
Most Improved NEO
Trade & Logistics
-21 pts
Tech & IT Services
-7 pts
36%
Manufacturing
73%
+14 pts
+29 pts
-1 pt
+28 pts
+11 pts
+2 pts
-10 pts
+6 pts
65%
56%
56%
48%
43%
41%
37%
37%
Finance & Insurance
Hospitality
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Construction & Real Estate
Public Sector, Health & Social Services
Utilities & Natural Resources
Information
Most Improved NEO
UAE Hiring Sentiment
Executive Summary
UAE Hiring Sentiment
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Executive Summary
UAE Employer Hiring Sentiment
Singapore Salary & Bonus Plans
Workforce Trends
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+14 pts
73%
Finance & Insurance
Specialty sector:
Specialty sector:
+29 pts
65%
Hospitality
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Employment outlook by sector and company size
Hiring trends across regions globally
Country-by-country comparisons against global benchmarks
Q1 2026 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey
UAE Findings - Preview
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Executive Summary
UAE Employer Hiring Sentiment
Singapore Salary & Bonus Plans
Workforce Trends
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Singapore Hiring Sentiment
Executive Summary
Singapore Hiring Sentiment
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ManpowerGroup Solutions Across the Entire HR Life Cycle
Workforce Consulting and Analytics
Workforce Management
Talent
Resourcing
Career
Management
Career Transition
Top Talent Attraction
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Visit www.manpowergroup.com.sg to learn more.
ManpowerGroup
Solutions Across the Entire HR Life Cycle
Workforce Consulting and Analytics
Workforce Management
Talent
Resourcing
Career
Management
Career Transition
Top Talent Attraction
Visit www.manpowergroup.ae to learn more.
