12 September 2026 22:30 | Last updated: 12 September 22:56 2026
There is a significant and growing demand for quality expertise in the UAE job market, particularly focused on technology and digital skills. Recent data indicates that 70% of employers plan to expand their workforce as they continue to adapt to flexible operational models despite a persistent skills shortage.
Summary
The UAE labour market in 2026 is prioritising technical, digital, and artificial intelligence skills; with 70% of employers expanding hiring efforts while grappling with a continuing skills gap.
According to global recruitment firms, the demand for skilled professionals in the UAE is set to continue throughout the last quarter of 2026, highlighting the requirement for expertise across various sectors and professions.
The “Hayes” salary guide for Gulf nations in 2026 reveals that 70% of participating employers intend to increase their staff numbers this year. Technical and digital skills rank among the top hiring priorities alongside operational, support, leadership, and management roles.
Ongoing demand is expected for roles in technology, finance, sales, human resources, engineering, real estate, and supply chains.
This trend parallels a shift among companies towards a blend of direct hiring and flexible work models, including temporary contracts and project-based work, particularly in response to changing skill requirements or workforce size.
Future Skills
Pedro Lacerda, Senior Vice President at “Task” recruitment, notes that companies in the UAE are becoming more discerning in their hiring decisions, focusing specifically on roles tied to technology, revenue generation, and regulatory compliance.
Pedro Lacerda
He emphasised that there is a particular demand for skills in artificial intelligence, data analysis, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, along with capabilities in problem-solving and working in multidisciplinary teams.
The adoption of artificial intelligence is transforming the nature of certain tasks, shifting routine work towards automation, allowing employees to concentrate more on customer service, complex problem-solving, and decision-making.
Additionally, there is a growing need for AI specialists, data scientists, software engineers, and cybersecurity experts, as well as expertise in AI governance, data quality, and output validation.
Flexible Employment
Lacerda noted that companies are increasingly relying on a mix of permanent roles, temporary contracts, and project-based hiring, especially in technology and professional services. Meanwhile, sectors like construction, logistics, hospitality, and healthcare benefit from flexible workforce models to keep pace with changing demand.
Seasonal Trends
In a related vein, a recent study by “LinkedIn” points to a historical seasonal pattern in the UAE job market as the end of the year approaches.
Latest data from “Manpower Group” regarding the UAE indicates positive employment forecasts for the third quarter of 2026. The survey, which gathered insights from 546 employers, reveals variances across sectors, with the information technology sector recording the strongest hiring outlook, followed by finance, insurance, the public sector, health, social services, and technology services.
The “Hayes” salary guide indicates that 90% of participating organisations faced a skills shortage in 2025, while 70% of employers are looking to increase their workforce in 2026. Technical and digital competencies are at the forefront of hiring priorities, alongside business analysis skills and those relevant to various sectors and technical professions.
The Talent Market
“Michael Page” provides a global reading of talent market trends in its “Talent Trends 2026” report, focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence, skillsets, work-life balance, and trust and transparency in employer-employee decision-making. The study reaffirms the increasing significance of skills in evaluating potential capabilities, coinciding with the growing implementation of artificial intelligence in the workplace.