Abu Dhabi, UAE — The UAE’s efforts to integrate its citizens into the private sector have reached a major milestone: more than 156,000 Emiratis are now employed in private-sector jobs, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). Gulf Today
Record Growth and Rising Confidence
During the MoHRE’s recent awards ceremony, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, revealed that the private-sector workforce has seen an 11% growth in 2024. Gulf Today He also noted a 13% increase in skilled labor, underscoring strong momentum in the national labor market. Gulf Today
Additionally, private-sector institutions grew by over 14%, signaling robust investor and business confidence in the Emirati national workforce. Gulf Today
The Role of Emiratisation Policies & Nafis Program
The MoHRE attributes this surge to successful Emiratisation policies and initiatives like the Nafis programme, which incentivizes companies to hire UAE nationals and supports Emirati talent development. MoHRE+2The National+2
As of June 30, 2025, MoHRE reported that over 152,000 Emiratis were employed in more than 29,000 private companies. MoHRE+2Gulf News+2 These numbers demonstrate a continued rise in national participation across sectors such as business services, construction, trade, manufacturing, and financial intermediation. Gulf News
A PwC-MoHRE survey highlights that by 2024, some 131,000 Emiratis were working in the private sector — exceeding earlier estimates. PwC
Strategic Implications
- Economic Integration: The growing number of Emiratis in private firms reflects increased alignment between national economic strategy and the private sector’s capabilities.
- Labor Market Competitiveness: With more Emiratis in skilled roles, companies benefit from a home-grown talent pool while the government moves closer to its Emiratisation goals.
- Sustainability of Growth: The achievement is being hailed as a long-term win: sustaining Emirati employment in non-government jobs strengthens national economic resilience.
Challenges & Next Steps
- MoHRE has set further targets: companies with 50 or more employees are required to increase their Emirati skilled workforce by at least 1% every six months, under penalty for non-compliance. The National+1
- Continued incentives: The Nafis programme will remain central to supporting companies that meet or exceed Emiratisation quotas. ETHRWorld.com
- Broader participation: The emphasis now includes not only quantity but also quality of roles, encouraging Emiratis to take up managerial, technical, and specialized positions.
What This Means for UAE Nationals
For UAE nationals, the surge in private-sector hiring translates into more diverse career pathways beyond the public sector. This shift may also offer better long-term growth, especially for young Emiratis seeking roles in high-growth fields.
The milestone of 156,000+ Emiratis in private companies marks a significant achievement for the country’s Emiratisation drive — signaling stronger public-private integration, increased national workforce participation, and a promising future for UAE citizens in the private economy.
