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United Arab Emirates
- Recruitment landscape
- Economic indicators
- Labor market
- Working life
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United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, with a GDP of $504.2 billion, ranks 29th globally. Key industries are petroleum, petrochemicals, and construction materials. The country has a robust working population despite gender participation gaps. With a low 2.7% unemployment rate, the labor market is strong, supported by a moderate number of recruitment agencies.
United Arab Emirates'S
AGENCY LANDSCAPE
2.1K
Agencies operating in United Arab Emirates
A high number of agencies indicates a mature recruitment industry, marked by strong talent demand, established labor laws and economic stability.
16-24%
Typical fee range
Countries with higher fees imply finding talent is harder to find whilst lower fees indicate a high-volume, commoditized market.
United Arab Emirates'S
FEATURED AGENCIES
Axiom Global Technologies, Inc.
Hays
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United Arab Emirates'S
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) RATING
29
WORLD RANKED
United Arab Emirates ranks 29th in the world by current economic output
$504B
NOMINAL GDP (US$)
GDP reflects the overall size and economic strength of the country’s economy.
17
EMEA RANKED
United Arab Emirates is the 17th biggest GDP in EMEA out of 109 countries in the region
GDP GROWTH (%)
The above chart compares how United Arab Emirates's GDP has grown, compared to the rest of the world and the EMEA region in the last 7 years.
Positive growth indicates an expanding economy, while negative growth or recession signifies economic contraction. Strong growth can encourage hiring, but slower growth might lead to freezes or layoffs, influencing talent sourcing as businesses adapt to changing market conditions and demands.
United Arab Emirates'S
CURRENCY AND CODE
AED
Country currency
ARE
Country ISO code
United Arab Emirates'S
INFLATION RATE
2.1%
CURRENT RATE
▲0.5% INCREASE
Inflation represents the rate at which prices rise and purchasing power diminishes. High inflation may prompt employees to seek higher wages, potentially impacting company profitability. This situation could lead to budget constraints or hiring freezes, which might influence talent availability and sourcing strategies.
United Arab Emirates'S
COST OF LIVING
COST OF LIVING INDEX EXPLAINED
The cost of living has a direct impact on salary expectations and the competitiveness of compensation packages. It can influence the appeal of certain locations-while high-cost areas may attract highly skilled professionals looking for higher salaries, lower-cost areas can appeal to companies looking to minimize salary expenses or candidates seeking a better work-life balance.
United Arab Emirates'S
LABOUR STATISTICS
9.4M
POPULATION
With a population of 9,366,829, United Arab Emirates is a small sized country by global standards. United Arab Emirates's youth population is just below the world average, indicating it may face challenges in labor market sustainability over time. The working population in United Arab Emirates is just above the world average, indicating a moderately strong labor market with a sufficient supply of workers to meet current economic needs. United Arab Emirates's elderly population is just below the world average, suggesting a manageable dependency ratio, allowing for a relatively larger workforce compared to retirees.
United Arab Emirates'S
RELIGION AND ETHNICITY
Religion
In religiously diverse countries, a broad sourcing and engagement approach whilst appealing to inclusive practices resonates with this candidate market. In contrast, in a homogeneous religious environment, understanding dominant cultural norms is often more important when engaging with talent.
Ethnicity
In ethnically diverse countries, there may be a greater variety of candidates with different cultural backgrounds and experiences. Employers may need to focus more on inclusive hiring practices to ensure they attract talent from across different ethnic groups.
United Arab Emirates'S
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
2.7%
CURRENT PERCENTAGE
▼0.17% REDUCTION
United Arab Emirates's unemployment rate is low, suggesting either a booming economy or reliance on foreign labour. Between 2022 and 2023, there was a small decrease in unemployment, suggesting continued economic stability with a slight improvement in job availability
United Arab Emirates'S
TOP PERFORMING INDUSTRIES
Top industries
Petroleum and petrochemicals
Aluminum
Construction materials
United Arab Emirates'S
GENDER DEMOGRAPHICS
RATIO OF MALES TO FEMALES (BY AGE)
LABOUR PARTICIPATION BY GENDER (%)
93
/
55
Male | Female
In United Arab Emirates there is a large gap in participation rates between males and females, indicating significant structural or cultural barriers preventing more equal gender parity.
United Arab Emirates'S
WORKING LIFE
40HRS
Average working full time week
Standard work is 8hrs/day, 40hrs/week from Sun-Thu. Ramadan reduces this to 6hrs/day. Overtime is paid at 125% normally, 150% between 10pm-4am and on weekends/holidays. Non-managerial staff are eligible for overtime pay, while managers may get days off instead. Max of 2hrs overtime/day.
United Arab Emirates'S
TOP BENEFITS
45DAYS
Maternity leave
Maternity leave: 45 days at full pay. No mandatory paternity leave. Parental leave: 5 paid days, then 45 unpaid; medical proof required.
90DAYS
Sick leave
Employees with over 3 months of service post-probation get paid sick leave for 90 days: 100% salary by the employer for the first 15 days, 50% for next 30 days, and no pay for the last 45 days.
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