All Gulf Overview
Online hiring across the Gulf rose 36% year-on-year in September 2026. The gain is flattered by a soft September 2025 base. Annual growth has held at 35–36% for three months, so the region is holding a higher level of activity rather than accelerating. The base rises steeply from October, and annual growth is likely to narrow in the coming months.
The two largest markets are moving in opposite directions. KSA has fallen 8% below last year, its weakest reading since January 2024. The UAE is back in annual growth for the first time since May. Qatar, Oman, the UAE and Egypt are ahead of last year, while Bahrain, Kuwait and KSA are behind.
Key themes this month:
- Technology remains the most reliable source of demand. IT and Telecom is up 32% across the Gulf and 23% in the UAE, but only 6% in KSA.
- Support functions are weak in the two largest markets. HR & Admin is down 20% in KSA and 35% in the UAE, yet up 15% across the wider Gulf.
Industry Trends (YoY)
In demand
Hospitality (+32%) At its highest level on record, as the winter tourism and events season builds.
IT and Telecom/ISP (+32%) Investment in data centres, cloud and AI infrastructure keeps it the largest source of postings in the region.
Production/Manufacturing (+28%) Helped by a weak September 2025 base, with the gain coming from the smaller markets.
Advertising, MR, PR & Media (+25%) Brand and campaign spend is building into the final quarter.
Health Care (+18%) At a 13-month high, supported by new hospitals and private clinical capacity.
Retail/Trade & Logistics (+17%) Annual growth has strengthened for three months running, on steady consumer demand.
BFSI (+7%) Back in growth after two months below last year, led by the UAE.
Consumer Goods/FMCG (+5%) Still positive, but slower than August.
Facing challenges
Petrochemicals (−5%) At a 13-month low, as global overcapacity weighs on producers.
Education (−5%) Below a firm start to the 2025 academic year.
Engineering, Construction & Real Estate (−8%) Several large projects have moved past peak hiring.
Oil & Gas (−19%) The steepest decline, at its lowest level since 2023, amid cautious upstream spending.
Functional Trends (YoY)
In demand
Software, Hardware, Telecom (+31%) The top function, led by demand for engineering and infrastructure roles.
Customer Service (+27%) Service-delivery hubs continue to scale across the region.
Finance & Accounts (+23%) A sharp step up, on compliance and tax-related demand.
Marketing & Communications (+17%) Rising alongside advertising spend.
Legal (+16%) At a 13-month high, on steady regulatory and contracts work.
HR & Admin (+15%) Smaller markets are still building out their corporate functions.
Hospitality & Travel (+14%) At a 13-month high, tracking the tourism calendar.
Health Care functions (+11%) Growing alongside the health care sector.
Moderate growth
Engineering & Production (+10%), Purchase / Logistics / Supply Chain (+9%) and Sales & Business Development (+1%) recorded the slimmest gains, as project-led and commercial hiring stays selective.
Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Overview
Saudi Arabia’s hiring market fell 8% year-on-year in September 2026, the second consecutive annual decline. The index is at its lowest level since January 2024. The hiring wave that followed large project mobilisation has worked through, and most functions are now at 13-month lows. Construction is the one area improving, with its decline the narrowest in months.
Industry Trends (YoY)
In demand
IT and Telecom/ISP (+6%) Still the strongest sector, though growth has roughly halved since the summer.
BFSI (+4%) Positive, but well down from earlier in the year.
Oil and Gas (+3%) Operators are keeping production staffing steady.
Education (+2%) Back in growth as the new academic year lifts hiring.
Facing challenges
Engineering, Construction & Real Estate (−3%) The decline has narrowed sharply from −18% in the summer.
Advertising, MR, PR & Media (−8%) At a 13-month low, as agencies manage headcount tightly.
Hospitality (−18%) A sharp turn from summer growth as the peak travel season ends.
Production/Manufacturing (−32%) The steepest decline, as last year’s industrial hiring surge unwinds.
Functional Trends (YoY)
In demand
Marketing & Communications (+10%) The leading function, as consumer brands invest in marketing.
Hospitality & Travel (+3%) and Sales & Business Development (+2%) Modestly ahead of last year.
Facing challenges
Engineering & Production (−11%) At a 13-month low, in line with the industrial pullback.
Health Care functions (−16%) At a 13-month low, as providers prioritise efficiency.
HR & Admin (−20%) The weakest function, as last year’s workforce expansion phase has passed.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Overview
The UAE returned to annual growth in September 2026, with hiring up 2% year-on-year. This ends three months of decline. Activity remains well below early-2026 levels, and demand is concentrated in financial services, construction and technology. Support functions continue to shrink.
Industry Trends (YoY)
In demand
BFSI (+40%) At a 13-month high, as Dubai continues to attract banks, asset managers and fintech firms.
Engineering, Construction & Real Estate (+34%) Still strong, though easing from August’s +54%.
IT and Telecom/ISP (+23%) At a 13-month high, on investment in data centres and AI infrastructure.
Consumer Goods/FMCG (+10%) A second month of growth after an extended decline.
Facing challenges
Education (−18%) The decline has narrowed considerably from −33% in August.
Petrochemicals (−33%) At a 13-month low, under continued margin pressure.
Retail/Trade & Logistics (−35%) Reflects a one-off spike in September 2025 rather than weak current demand.
Functional Trends (YoY)
In demand
Software, Hardware, Telecom (+56%) The top function by a wide margin, at a 13-month high.
Engineering & Production (+14%) Back in growth, as construction activity feeds through to engineering roles.
Marketing & Communications (+9%) Back in growth after several months of decline.
Facing challenges
Customer Service (−9%) Automation continues to reduce frontline demand.
Finance & Accounts (−17%) Shared services and automation are holding back hiring.
HR & Admin (−35%) The weakest function, as organisations keep support structures lean.
Regional Highlights
Qatar (+8% YoY): The Gulf’s fastest-growing market, with steady hiring across services and infrastructure.
Oman (+6% YoY): Growth has eased from the double-digit pace of the summer, but Oman remains among the region’s stronger markets.
UAE (+2% YoY): Back in annual growth for the first time since May.
Egypt (+1% YoY): A third consecutive month of growth, though the pace has slowed.
Bahrain (−1% YoY): Slipped marginally below last year.
Kuwait (−2% YoY): A second month below last year after strong growth in June and July.
KSA (−8% YoY): The steepest decline in the region, with the index at its lowest level since January 2024.
About the foundit Insights Tracker
The foundit Insights Tracker (FIT), formerly the Monster Employment Index, provides a comprehensive view of online recruitment trends in the Middle East. By analysing millions of job postings across key industries and functional areas, FIT offers invaluable insights for job seekers and recruiters alike. For more details, visit founditgulf.com.
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