More than nine in 10 professionals in the UAE plan to continue living and working in the country over the next six to 12 months, highlighting strong confidence in its employment market and long-term career prospects.
Research from LinkedIn found that 91 per cent of UAE professionals intend to remain in the country during the period, while 66 per cent said they definitely plan to stay.
The findings point to the UAE’s continued appeal as a destination for international talent and innovation. Recent data from LinkedIn and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade showed that the country experienced one of the strongest post-pandemic recoveries in hiring among major global markets in 2025.
Early data from June 2026 also indicated a renewed recovery in hiring and international talent flows after a more volatile first half of the year.
Despite the strong desire to remain in the UAE, the research found that many professionals are not making full use of networks that could help them manage changes in the workplace.
About 96 per cent of respondents said their professional network was important for navigating careers affected by artificial intelligence and rapid workplace changes. Yet 74 per cent said they always or often consume work and career content online without actively taking part in professional discussions.
Many respondents also said they were unsure how to build useful professional relationships. Around 42 per cent did not know how to get started, while 41 per cent said they were uncertain about turning professional connections into meaningful relationships.
Confidence was another obstacle. Four in 10 professionals said they worried about bothering people or wasting their time when reaching out, while 33 per cent feared being judged. More than half, or 58 per cent, said they had not received enough guidance on developing professional relationships or expanding their networks.
At the same time, respondents appeared to underestimate how willing other professionals are to help. About 86 per cent said they would probably respond to or support someone seeking career assistance, even if they did not know that person personally.
Skills and experience remained the most important factor for accessing new opportunities, with 39 per cent identifying them as the strongest advantage. A professional network was cited by 25 per cent, while 23 per cent pointed to online visibility.
The benefits of networking were already being reported. Some 42 per cent said online professional communities had helped them expand their knowledge, while 41 per cent said they had made a connection that supported their career.
Najat Abdelhadi, LinkedIn’s MENA career expert, said skills were important but visibility and relationships could also help professionals progress, particularly those new to the UAE or changing sectors.
The research was conducted by Censuswide between July 20 and August 10 among 625 UAE professionals aged 18 to 80 who work either full-time or part-time.
