Dubai - Mubasher: The UAE's public sector witnessed its highest ever annual increase in employment activity at 23.6%, outperforming all major sectors in the country.

According to the LinkedIn Economic Map report issued in February 2025, hiring activity continued across five key sectors in the UAE, led by the government sector, which saw the highest annual increase of 23.6%. This was followed by the real estate and equipment rental sector, which saw a 23.3% increase, followed by the consumer services sector, which saw an 11.8% increase, education, which saw a 5.0% increase, and oil, gas, and mining, which saw a 1.4% increase.

The report highlighted the UAE's position as a leading country in the field of employment, demonstrating high levels of flexibility in finding job opportunities, compared to a decline rate of 12.5% in major markets in Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The significant 23.6% annual increase in government sector employment in the UAE indicates a growing demand for skilled and experienced personnel within this sector, reflecting a strategic direction toward enhancing administrative and executive capabilities within government agencies.

According to the report, this growth is an economic indicator of increased investment in infrastructure and government services, and the state's expansion in implementing new development projects and initiatives. The government sector's superiority over other sectors in terms of employment highlights its leading role in driving structural economic activity. It also reflects the government's confidence in the stability of the financial situation and its ability to finance this ongoing employment expansion.

The report confirmed that the UAE remains the only country in the Europe, Middle East, and Latin America regions where the "labor market is increasingly tight" - where job openings exceed the number of active applications (by 35.2% year-on-year).

He pointed out that this percentage reflects the increased demand for talent and the growth in opportunities available to professionals. In conjunction with this growth, hybrid job vacancies in the UAE continue to rise, experiencing an annual growth rate of 83.9%, the highest growth rate in the region. However, demand for these positions is declining, highlighting a potential gap between employer requirements and candidates' interest in the benefits of hybrid work.