UAE Private Sector Skilled Workforce Rises 1.5% in Q1 2026

The skilled workforce in the UAE’s private sector increased by 1.5% during the first quarter of 2026, according to labour market data published by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation through its Labour Market Observatory. The ministry also recorded overall private sector employment growth of 2.5% during the quarter, while the number of active establishments rose by 0.4%.
According to the observatory’s full-year 2025 figures, workforce numbers across the private sector increased by 12.4%, while establishment growth reached 7.8% and skilled worker growth reached 6.3%. The ministry additionally reported a 34% increase in labour market compliance levels recorded in March 2025 releases.
Over a five-year period ending in 2025, the ministry stated that total workforce numbers expanded by more than 101%, while skilled labour increased by 49.92% and the number of companies grew by 45.76%. The same period also recorded an increase of more than 101% in women’s workforce participation, alongside a roughly 366% increase in Emirati employment within the private sector.
According to the ministry, employers currently have access to several work permit categories including temporary, mission-based, part-time, flexible, and family-sponsored permits.