Employees in the UAE remain among the most optimistic globally about job opportunities. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2026 Report, around 76% of workers in the country believe it is a good time to find a job.
This figure stands significantly higher than the global average of 52%. Moreover, it far exceeds the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) average of just 36%. As a result, the UAE continues to stand out as a strong and resilient labour market.
Economic Diversification Driving Confidence
Industry experts link this optimism to visible economic growth and diversification. Abdullah Bader, Regional Director for MENA at Gallup, noted that continued hiring across sectors has strengthened confidence among workers.
“People can see opportunities around them,” Bader said. “That visibility, combined with strong economic activity, is driving optimism.” Additionally, sectors such as technology, finance, and tourism continue to expand. This trend further supports job creation and workforce mobility.
High Levels of Employee Wellbeing and Engagement
The report also highlights strong wellbeing indicators in the UAE workforce. Around 55% of employees describe themselves as “thriving,” one of the highest rates in the region. At the same time, employee engagement stands at 27%, nearly double the regional average of 14%. According to Gallup, higher engagement often leads to better productivity and improved life satisfaction.
Furthermore, engaged employees tend to feel more secure in their roles. This sense of stability, combined with job market confidence, creates a uniquely positive workforce environment.
A Rare Combination of Stability and Opportunity
The UAE’s labour market offers both stability and opportunity. While many global markets face uncertainty, the UAE shows consistent growth and hiring momentum. Bader emphasised that this combination is rare. “A workforce that feels both secure and optimistic is not common globally,” he said.
However, the survey data was collected before recent geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Iran, and Israel. Future reports will likely assess how these developments influence sentiment.
Global Trends Show Declining Engagement
In contrast, global employee engagement continues to decline. The report shows engagement fell to 20% in 2025, down from 23% in 2022. This marks the second consecutive year of decline. Notably, no region recorded an improvement during this period. South Asia saw the sharpest drop.
Low engagement comes at a high cost. In 2024, disengagement led to an estimated $10 trillion in lost productivity worldwide. This figure equals roughly 9% of global GDP.
MENA Region Shows Mixed Progress
Across the MENA region, only a few countries reported high levels of thriving employees. These include Israel (63%), the UAE (55%), and Saudi Arabia (51%).
Although regional optimism has improved since pandemic lows, it still lags behind global benchmarks. Therefore, the UAE’s performance highlights its unique economic position.
