The reflection on, as well as the outlook for, the UAE’s job market offers hope, with more private sector businesses, a growing workforce, and increased talent mobility. This shift points to a more diverse and inclusive workplace, as discussed in the second Future of Work Forum, hosted by MoHRE, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the World Governments Summit Organisation.

As part of the Summit 2025, the forum welcomed ministers, policymakers, economists, and business leaders from around the world to understand the trends shaping the future of work. And on behalf of the UAE, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of HR and Emiratisation & Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research reflected the region’s labour market, policies, and emerging trends. 

Dr Al Awar underlined, “These initiatives reinforce the UAE’s commitment to enhancing the wellbeing and quality of life of the diverse workforce living and working in the country, which includes a wide range of nationalities.. due to progressive labour policies and multi-stakeholder collaboration, the UAE labour market now ranks first globally in nine competitiveness indicators, including labour force participation, employment rate, talent attraction, and work flexibility,”

“People are at the core of the UAE’s development and growth strategy,..The UAE is committed to leveraging all resources and capabilities to promote sustainable education, drive innovation and attract top talent. To achieve these goals, we have launched comprehensive initiatives in collaboration with the public and private sectors, including specialised training programmes, digital learning platforms focused on future skills and an ecosystem that supports innovation and entrepreneurship in this vital sector,” he added. 

Some of the key insights on UAE’s job market and future of work shared by Dr Al Awar are:

UAE’s job market rising hopes

Dr Al Awar shared that the UAE’s business landscape has seen remarkable growth, with a 17 percent increase in private sector establishments by the end of 2024, a 12 percent rise in workforce participation, and a 13 percent surge in skilled labour. This reflects the nation’s efforts to create a dynamic and inclusive job market. What is helping this? Initiatives such as the Unemployment Insurance Scheme, the Savings Scheme, enhanced health coverage, Inclusive benefits, and the expansion of the Wage Protection System (WPS) to include domestic workers were highlighted as significant milestones in strengthening workforce security and resilience.

He further noted that the UAE’s job market now ranks first globally in nine key competitiveness indicators, including labor force participation, talent attraction, and work flexibility. He reinforced the nation’s vision of placing people at the heart of economic development, ensuring that policies align with both technological progress and human well-being.

Identifying and bridging the skills gap

A major focus of the forum was aligning education with labor market needs. Dr. Al Awar highlighted the 280 percent increase in accredited vocational training institutes over the past five years, growing from 16 in 2019 to 61 in 2024. This expansion reflects the UAE’s drive to equip graduates with future-ready skills.

Additionally, the UAE has strengthened partnerships with over 50 entities to bridge education and employment, significantly improving its ranking in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI). From specialised skills development programs to digital learning platforms, the country continues to foster a learning ecosystem that supports innovation and entrepreneurship.

You may also like:

• Are AI-driven performance evaluations truly fair?
• Remote Work Culture & Recognition: What really works?
• Performance vs Pay: Defining the thin line

What lies ahead in the future of work? 

The forum reinforced the importance of policy agility, workforce development, and technological adaptation. As economies continue to evolve, countries like the UAE are proactively designing frameworks that enhance employability, boost economic resilience, and harness AI responsibly.

The forum called for collaborative strategies, ensuring that labour markets worldwide remain inclusive, future-ready, and sustainable in the face of rapid change.

For deeper insights into the future of work in 2025, explore our curated list of analytical articles covering leadership trends, skill shifts, pay evolution, talent priorities, workplace flexibility, and more.