Dubai: The UAE is set to generate around one million new jobs by 2030, driven by rapid economic expansion, digital transformation and the growing adoption of artificial intelligence, according to a new industry report.
The findings highlight what experts describe as one of the most significant workforce expansion phases in the country’s history, with total employment projected to rise by about 12.1% over the next five years.
Hamza Dweik, Head of Trading for the Middle East and North Africa at Saxo Bank, said demand could reach approximately 1.03 million additional workers by the end of the decade, outpacing major economies such as the United States, the United Kingdom and India.
He attributed the surge to strong economic momentum, government-led digital initiatives and the fast integration of AI across industries.
Key sectors to drive hiring
Several sectors are expected to lead job creation, including manufacturing, education, retail, financial services and healthcare. Manufacturing alone could add more than 130,000 jobs, while education and retail are projected to generate tens of thousands of new roles.
High-growth industries such as energy and utilities are also forecast to expand significantly, supported by investments in renewable energy, smart infrastructure and sustainable urban development.
The surge in hiring is expected to trigger increased domestic investment as both public and private sector organisations scale operations to meet demand in a technology-driven economy.
Rising demand for tech talent
The report points to a sharp increase in demand for technology roles, expected to grow by more than 50%, requiring over 90,000 additional specialists by 2030.
This is likely to accelerate investment in reskilling programmes and digital education, with a focus on areas such as software engineering, cybersecurity, data analytics and digital marketing.
Experts emphasise that AI will largely enhance human roles rather than replace them, shifting the focus towards equipping workers with skills to collaborate with intelligent systems.
Shift in hiring strategies
Industry leaders say companies are already rethinking workforce strategies, moving beyond traditional hiring models toward a hybrid approach that combines human talent with AI-powered tools.
Mahesh Shahdadpuri, CEO of TASK, noted that organisations are increasingly using digital agents to handle routine tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work and improving overall efficiency.
At the same time, recruitment strategies are evolving toward skills-based hiring, supported by AI-driven workforce planning and internal mobility programmes.
Typhoon Topkok, Senior Vice President at PeopleStrong, said scaling the workforce will require major investment in human capital infrastructure, including HR systems, payroll platforms and workforce analytics.
“The challenge is not just hiring more people, but building a workforce that can scale efficiently with speed and flexibility,” he said.
Talent gap remains a challenge
Despite strong job growth projections, talent shortages remain a key concern. Data from global HR bodies shows that a majority of employers continue to struggle to find qualified candidates.
This is expected to further increase reliance on AI-powered recruitment tools, which can streamline hiring processes and reduce administrative workload for HR teams.
Richard Doherty, Senior Director at Workday, said companies will need to adopt a more strategic, data-driven approach to talent management, focusing on employee experience and long-term workforce planning.
As the UAE pushes ahead with its digital economy ambitions, the ability to align talent development with future skills demand will be critical to sustaining growth.
