The UAE Cabinet has highlighted a sharp expansion in the country’s labour market, with the workforce more than doubling and the number of companies rising over 45% between 2021 and 2025.
- Workforce Growth Led by Female Participation and Skilled Talent
- Near-Universal Compliance Strengthens Labour Ecosystem
- Policy Push: Health, Nutrition, and Preventive Care
- National Healthy Nutrition Strategy 2031 Approved
- Integrative Healthcare Model Gains Momentum
- Blending Modern and Traditional Medicine
- Community Development: From Welfare to Workforce
- Dh100 Million Fund Boosts Social Sector Participation
- UAE’s Space Economy Targets Global Top 10 Position
- National Space Strategy 2031 to Drive Sector Expansion
- Growth with Governance
The review, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, reflects a broader shift towards a more diversified, talent-driven economy as the UAE accelerates reforms across employment, healthcare, and innovation sectors.
Workforce Growth Led by Female Participation and Skilled Talent
According to data presented during the Cabinet meeting, total workforce numbers grew by 101.76% over the five-year period. Notably, female participation rose by 101.92%, signalling a structural shift in workforce inclusion.
At the same time, the number of skilled professionals increased by nearly 50%, underlining the UAE’s positioning as a global talent hub amid intensifying competition for specialised skills.
Near-Universal Compliance Strengthens Labour Ecosystem
The review also pointed to high compliance levels across labour protections:
- 99% enrolment in the Wage Protection System
- 99% coverage under workers’ protection insurance
- 99% adherence to heat stress regulations
- 83% participation in unemployment insurance
These metrics indicate a maturing labour framework that balances rapid expansion with regulatory stability—key to sustaining investor confidence.
The UAE was also ranked first globally in employment growth, talent availability, and low labour disputes, reinforcing its attractiveness as a business destination.
Policy Push: Health, Nutrition, and Preventive Care
National Healthy Nutrition Strategy 2031 Approved
The Cabinet approved the National Healthy Nutrition Strategy 2031, aimed at improving public health outcomes through preventive care and better food systems.
Key measures include:
- Ban on partially hydrogenated oils
- Regulation of unhealthy food marketing
- Launch of a national nutrition monitoring system
- Development of a digital nutrition guide
The strategy targets reductions in obesity and diabetes rates, particularly among adults and children, aligning healthcare priorities with long-term economic productivity.
Integrative Healthcare Model Gains Momentum
Blending Modern and Traditional Medicine
In a parallel move, the Cabinet approved the National Integrative Medicine Strategy, which seeks to combine modern, traditional, and complementary medical practices under a unified framework.
The initiative focuses on:
- Governance reforms and clinical standardisation
- Expanded insurance coverage
- Investment in research and professional training
The UAE aims to position itself as a global reference point for integrative, evidence-based healthcare systems.
Community Development: From Welfare to Workforce
Dh100 Million Fund Boosts Social Sector Participation
The Cabinet reviewed progress in community empowerment, highlighting the launch of a Dh100 million fund to support public benefit organisations.
Key outcomes include:
- Over 800 organisations active with 160,000+ members
- 45% increase in programme access
- 34% rise in inflation allowance coverage
Importantly, more than 3,800 individuals transitioned from social support into employment, reflecting a shift towards sustainable economic participation.
Additionally, Emirati families generated over Dh100 million through home-based business initiatives, while more than 1,000 national projects were incubated.
UAE’s Space Economy Targets Global Top 10 Position
National Space Strategy 2031 to Drive Sector Expansion
The Cabinet also approved the National Space Strategy 2031, aiming to position the UAE among the world’s top 10 space economies.
Currently valued at over Dh44 billion, the sector includes more than 170 entities. The strategy seeks to:
- Double sector revenues
- Expand export markets
- Increase the number of startups and national companies
The push reflects the UAE’s broader ambition to diversify into high-value, innovation-led sectors beyond traditional industries.
Growth with Governance
The UAE’s latest Cabinet review signals more than headline growth—it reflects a calibrated expansion supported by regulatory compliance, social investment, and sectoral diversification.
By aligning labour market expansion with healthcare reform, community development, and space innovation, the country is building a multi-layered growth model designed for long-term resilience.
