UAE Drives GCC Job Growth Across Real Estate and High-Value Fields

Dubai, UAE: Recent data from Cooper Fitch’s Q3 2025 GCC Employment Index shows a cautiously optimistic labour market, with hiring across the region rising 1.3 percent quarter-on-quarter. The United Arab Emirates led regional expansion with a 3 percent increase, followed by a 1.5 percent rise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

For the real estate and construction sectors which is now central to GCC economic diversification, this hiring momentum signals ongoing confidence in development pipelines, large-scale infrastructure programs and rapid non-oil growth.

Property-Driven Growth Positions the UAE at the Forefront

The UAE continues to outpace the region, supported by robust activity in real estate, tourism, aviation and digital transformation. Expanding private-sector confidence, rising foreign investment and record property transactions fueled demand for operational, development and managerial roles.

Developers, funds and asset managers focused hiring on project delivery, finance, urban planning, and revenue-generating roles as major residential and mixed-use schemes progressed across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Strong international investor inflows and service-sector expansion kept the UAE firmly ahead of the region.

Saudi Arabia Benefits from Vision 2030’s Built-Environment Pipeline

Saudi Arabia recorded 1.5 percent hiring growth, directly linked to the advancement of mega-projects under Vision 2030. Real estate, infrastructure, tourism and finance accounted for most recruitment activity, although firms remained cautious with budgets due to high material costs and tighter financing conditions.

Much of Saudi hiring was project-based—aligned with construction phases, development milestones and new public-private joint ventures.

Mixed Hiring Trends Across the GCC

Qatar - 0.5% Increase

Hiring rose modestly as operational conditions stabilised. While major LNG and infrastructure projects continue to progress, significant workforce expansion is expected closer to 2026. Real estate, hospitality and financial services hiring remained steady.

Oman - 0% Change

Hiring held flat, with stable activity across logistics, industrial development and renewables. Real estate and construction activity continued, but with selective, technical hiring aligned to government-backed investment.

Kuwait - 2% Decline

A contraction in business growth and stricter cost controls led to reduced hiring. Companies focused largely on replacement hiring and compliance-driven roles.

Bahrain - 1% Decline

Private-sector caution weighed on hiring, although operational roles in real estate, banking and logistics remained in demand.

Selective Hiring Across the Built Environment and Related Sectors

Across the GCC, employers prioritised roles tied to revenue, project execution and digitisation. For real estate and construction, this meant continued recruitment in development management, project finance, cost assurance, urban planning, property operations and facility management.

With governments continuing to push large-scale city expansions and tourism destinations, real estate hiring rose by 7 percent, dominated by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Public-sector hiring also increased by 5 percent due to ongoing national investments in infrastructure, housing, and smart-city initiatives.

Favourable Economic Conditions Support Property and Infrastructure Growth

Lower inflation, stable energy prices and resilient domestic demand allowed Gulf governments to maintain strong fiscal footing throughout Q3. Stable oil revenues supported capital project pipelines, including new masterplans, housing programs and tourism developments.

Expectations of global interest-rate cuts contributed to improved sentiment, though high borrowing costs still restricted private-sector expansion. A potential easing of credit conditions is expected to support further hiring, particularly in real estate, construction, investment and financial leadership roles.

Finance, Investment and Governance Hiring Strengthens

Senior Finance hiring rose 8 percent, driven by demand for FP&A, treasury and project finance skills—critical for real estate developers and investors managing large project portfolios.

Investment hiring increased by 4 percent as regional funds and private-equity firms strengthened governance, risk and fund-operations teams. Compliance roles grew in prominence amid a softer transaction environment.

Banking hiring fell 2 percent due to ongoing merger integrations and digitisation, though late-quarter activity in credit, treasury and risk roles points to renewed movement.

Leadership, Strategy and Operational Roles Evolve

CEO-level hiring held flat at 0 percent as organisations favoured internal succession during a period of budget discipline. Strategy hiring dropped 4 percent as advisory spending tightened; however, specialist expertise in AI, digital operations and risk management remained in demand.

Operationally, activity was strongest in sectors linked to development and national transformation programmes.

HR, Manufacturing and Commercial Roles Show Varied Movement

HR hiring declined by 3 percent, with many organisations pausing mid-process recruitment. Remaining activity focused on compensation, nationalisation, and workforce planning.

Manufacturing (+3%) and Supply Chain (+2%) hiring improved, driven by steel demand, construction material activity and investments in advanced manufacturing.

Sales & Marketing (+3%) saw solid demand for leaders capable of executing digital and AI-driven growth strategies—particularly for property developers, tourism operators and mixed-use destinations.

Technology and AI Talent Remains a Priority Across Real Estate and Infrastructure

Technology hiring continued at strong levels, reflecting the region’s commitment to digital transformation. Key areas included:

Software (+4%) for automation and development systems

Digital, Data & AI (+4%) supporting smart-city and proptech initiatives

Cloud (+3%) focused on optimisation

Cybersecurity (-1%) slightly lower as teams prioritised internal upskilling

Legal hiring rose 2 percent, with high demand for in-house counsel specialising in real estate, regulatory compliance, contracts and investment.