UAE to Add 1M+ Jobs By 2030, Driven by Tech Sector
Real GDP grew 4.2% Y-o-Y to AED 929 billion in H1 2025
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Owing to its strong non-oil sectors, robust foreign and domestic investment, pro-business regulations, and a flexible regulatory environment, the UAE has consolidated its position among the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Apart from non-oil foreign trade rising to 24.5% in H1 2025 to AED 1.7 trillion– about 14 times the global growth rate– several industry and economic indexes have highlighted the UAE’s up and onwards boom.
The country was ranked 10th globally for inbound foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, at AED 167.6 billion, by the UN Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2025.
The International Monetary Fund lifted its 2025 growth forecast to 4.8%, while Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P affirmed the nation’s sovereign ratings, affirming its robust economic performance and fiscal prudence.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of the UAE data indicated that gross banks’ assets and gross credit increased to AED5,199.9 billion and AED2,478.8 billion, respectively, by September-end. The state institution also launched the UAE National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2026–2030 to further access to financial services and strengthen financial stability.
Real GDP grew 4.2% Y-o-Y to AED 929 billion in H1 2025, with the UAE approving its largest-ever federal budget of AED 92.4 billion for 2026.
A National Investment Strategy 2031– including 12 programmes and 30 initiatives– was approved to aim for a fundraising of AED 240 billion by 2031 and grow the UAE’s total foreign investment stock to 2.2 trillion.
Notably, over 220,000 new companies were registered between January and end-November, alongside over 36,000 new trademarks, up 48.2% Y-o-Y.
Additionally, the Workforce Skills Forecast 2025 report from ServiceNow noted that the UAE will need to add 1.03 million workers by 2030– a 12.1% increase in the human workforce– to match the economic growth and tech roles needed to support its digital transformation.
The report revealed that manufacturing, education, and retail sectors will be among the main drivers of this growth, adding approximately 133,000, 78,000, and 60,000 new jobs, respectively.
Additionally, it affirmed that agentic AI’s efficiency gains will be far outweighed by the urgent demand for human talent.
“The future of work depends on collaboration between people and AI, and it’s a future that’s hiring now. The organisations that win the race for top talent will be those that redesign roles and invest in upskilling to meet the demands of this new era,” said William O’Neill, area VP & general manager – GCC, ServiceNow.
