UAE Job Market Shift: Employees Prioritize Job Security Over Salary, Survey Finds
A significant shift in workforce priorities is underway in the UAE, with job security now surpassing salary increases as the top concern for employees. According to the Middle East Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2025, a striking 85% of respondents ranked stability and long-term security above pay raises when evaluating new opportunities, reflecting a cautious mindset amid global economic and technological change.
The Rise of Job Security as a Top Priority
This growing emphasis on stability comes as Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes deeply integrated into the workplace. The survey found that 75% of regional workers have used AI tools in the past year, with nearly a third using generative AI daily—rates exceeding global averages. This rapid technological adoption, coupled with economic uncertainty, is driving employees to seek predictable career paths over immediate financial gain.
Experts note this is a pragmatic, not passive, shift. “Employees are still ambitious,” says Nisha Nair, Recruitment Manager at Innovations Group, “but global uncertainty and the pace of technological change have made people more selective. Stability and predictable career paths now carry more weight.”
A Cultural Shift in Career Expectations
HR professionals observe a marked change in career attitudes. Employees are increasingly open to lateral moves that offer security, learning opportunities, and a supportive environment, even without immediate pay raises. Career growth is being redefined as “moving wisely” rather than moving up quickly.
This trend is reinforced by the widespread use of AI, with employees seeking reassurance that their roles will evolve alongside automation rather than be replaced by it.
Employer Response: Upskilling and Transparency
Forward-thinking organizations are responding by prioritizing employee confidence and skill development. Randa Bahsoun, Partner at PwC Middle East, states that providing clarity on how roles will evolve with AI is a key retention strategy.
Companies are investing heavily in learning and development programs to reskill and upskill their workforce. Reports indicate a trend towards restructuring and redefining jobs to foster human-AI collaboration, rather than large-scale layoffs due to automation.
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Strategic Career Planning in the AI Era
For professionals, this shift is deeply personal. Career choices are increasingly based on long-term planning, family considerations, and an employer’s stable vision. Job offers lacking clear stability are often declined, even with higher salaries.
Career coaches note that professionals are becoming more strategic, focusing on building diverse skill sets and adaptability to ensure future relevance in an AI-driven workplace. The drive for rapid promotion is being replaced by a focus on sustainable, secure career trajectories.
This fundamental shift signals a new era in the UAE’s job market, where stability, continuous learning, and adaptability are the currencies of career success, reshaping how both employees plan their futures and employers attract and retain talent.
