Q3
2025
ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey
UAE FINDINGS
© ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey
Executive Summary
530 employers in United Arab Emirates were asked about their third quarter hiring intentions and the reasoning behind their decisions in the latest edition of the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey.
48% UAE Net Employment Outlook: Calculated by subtracting employers planning reductions vs. those planning to hire*. The UAE NEO ranks first globally for its employment expectations, 24 points above the global average.
38% of employers who plan to hire reported that their company is expanding in size, creating more positions.
Highest Hiring Demand in UAE
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.
Q3 Employment Outlooks
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Workforce Trends
Singapore Salary & Bonus Plans
Energy & Utilities
Industry Outlooks
Transport, Logistics, and Automotive
Q3 UAE Employment Outlooks
UAE Employment Outlook for Q3 2025
UAE Net Employment Outlook
56%
8%
33%
3%
of employers anticipate an increase in hiring
anticipate a decrease
report no change
are unsure
Used internationally as a bellwether of labor market trends, the Net Employment Outlook – calculated by subtracting the percentage of employers who anticipate reductions to staffing levels from those who plan to hire – stands at 48%.
48%
UAE Employment Outlooks Across Key Industry Sectors
Businesses in the Transport, Logistics and Automotive industry reported the brightest outlook, ranking first globally for its employment expectations, above the sector’s average NEO by 41 points.
Information Technology
Transport, Logistics and Automotive
Consumer Goods and Services
Other* / None of the Above
Energy and Utilities
Communication Services
Industrials and Materials
Healthcare and Life Sciences
64%
57%
55%
50%
46%
44%
39%
37%
*Includes: Government or Public Service; Not for Profit/NGO/Charity/Religious organization; Other Industry; Other Transport, Logistics and Automobiles Sub-Industry; Educational Institutions; Agriculture and Fishing
UAE Workforce Trends*
*The figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
What has been/will be the average increment (in %) given to your staff in 2024/2025?
A net 82% of Singapore employers surveyed reveal intentions to increase salaries by 3% or more heading into 2025.
Hiring in the Face of Trade Uncertainty
Global trade uncertainty is shaping hiring decisions for almost 7 in 10 companies.
A lot of Impact
26%
Moderate Impact
A Little Impact
22%
No Impact at All
7%
Don't Know
2%
UAE Average
70%
Employers Increase Investment in Automation
A growing number of companies have focused on automation to handle repetitive tasks, with 77% reporting increased investment.
Increase Significantly
Increase Somewhat
No Change
14%
Decrease Somewhat
4%
Don't Know or N/A
Decrease Significantly
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Q3 2025 ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey UAE Findings - Preview
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