Hiring for salaries under Dh10,000 dropped 26% in the UAE during April and May, according to a report released yesterday. The Naukrigulf Hiring Index attributes the decline to regional instability that has impacted travel, trade, and tourism since late February. Overall hiring across the UAE fell by 23% during this period compared to the same months last year.
Salary tiers resist slowdown
While lower-paying roles saw the steepest decline, the report indicates that higher-paying positions demonstrated more resilience. Jobs offering between Dh11,000 and Dh20,000 fell by approximately 22%, while those in the Dh21,000 to Dh40,000 range decreased by 19%. The most significant retention occurred in the Dh41,000 to Dh80,000 bracket, which recorded an 11% drop.
Roles paying between Dh80,000 and Dh150,000 saw the smallest reduction at just 5%. The report notes that jobs paying over Dh150,000 fell by 23%, but attributes this sharp percentage to the small sample size of these top-tier roles, emphasizing that employers are still actively searching for candidates to fill these positions.
Technology sector outperforms
Technology roles proved more durable than other industries amidst the broader slowdown. IT and digital jobs decreased by 6%, while specific tech positions fell by only 3%. Conversely, specialized areas within technology experienced growth. Jobs in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and data increased by around 20%. Engineering roles also remained relatively stable, recording a 16% decline, which is lower than the national average for all sectors.
Industry-wide hiring shifts
Other sectors faced more significant reductions. Sales and marketing jobs plummeted by 42%, while human resources and finance roles each fell by 34%. The oil, gas, and energy sector saw the steepest fall at 30%, followed by healthcare and pharmaceutical jobs which dropped 24%. Real estate and construction also saw a decline, falling by 20%.
The report covers Gulf countries including the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, based on data from more than 220,000 job postings annually from over 7,000 companies. Regarding employer preferences, most companies in the UAE (around 68%) do not ask for a specific nationality. Among those with a preference, Arab candidates are the most sought-after, making up 21% of postings, while European and South Asian candidates each account for about 6%.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Naukrigulf Hiring Index?
The Naukrigulf Hiring Index tracks hiring trends across Gulf countries using data from over 220,000 job postings by more than 7,000 companies, and it reported a 23% overall drop in UAE hiring in April and May.
Why did hiring drop in the UAE in April and May?
The index attributes the decline to regional instability that has impacted travel, trade and tourism since late February, leading to a 23% overall hiring drop in the UAE.
Which salary range saw the biggest decline in UAE hiring?
Jobs paying under Dh10,000 fell 26%, the steepest drop, while higher salary tiers were more resilient.
Which sector saw growth in the UAE hiring index?
Technology roles, especially AI, machine learning, cybersecurity and data jobs, grew about 20%, outperforming other sectors.
How did sales and marketing hiring change in the UAE?
Sales and marketing jobs plunged 42% in April and May, the steepest decline among sectors.
