{"id":50227,"date":"2026-03-05T12:35:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T07:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/?p=50227"},"modified":"2026-03-05T12:35:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T07:05:23","slug":"foundit-insights-tracker-gulf-jan-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/foundit-insights-tracker-gulf-jan-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Middle East Hiring Trends: January 2026\u00a0Sees 53% YoY Growth: Insights from the\u00a0foundit\u00a0Tracker\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Highlights of the Month<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;foundit&nbsp;Insights Tracker (FIT) in the Middle East recorded a strong 53% annual increase in online recruitment activity in January 2026. Month-on-month, the index grew 5%, reflecting a positive start to the year across the region.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past three months, e-recruitment activity&nbsp;expanded&nbsp;26%, with the six-month view showing a sustained 38% rise. Growth was broad-based, led by IT &amp; Telecom, Production\/Manufacturing, and HR &amp; Admin, reinforcing the region&#8217;s continued momentum on economic diversification and digital transformation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file aligncenter\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/07_fit_Gulf_Jan_26.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of &lt;strong&gt;Gulf Hiring Trends in\u00a0Jan 2026     &lt;\/strong&gt;.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-07d48fe6-3655-4131-8e5c-19211d483745\" href=\"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/07_fit_Gulf_Jan_26.pdf\"><strong>Gulf Hiring Trends in\u00a0Jan 2026     <\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/07_fit_Gulf_Jan_26.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-07d48fe6-3655-4131-8e5c-19211d483745\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Month-on-Month (MoM) Hiring Trends<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Industry Trends<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Growth<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>BFSI (+9%):<\/strong>\u00a0Led monthly gains, reflecting renewed activity in financial services and continued fintech expansion.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Oil &amp; Gas (+6%):<\/strong>\u00a0Rebounded with solid month-on-month growth despite a marginal annual dip.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Retail\/Trade &amp; Logistics (+4%)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Hospitality (+4%):<\/strong>\u00a0Maintained\u00a0steady upward movement heading into the new year.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Declines<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Education (-15%):<\/strong>\u00a0Registered\u00a0the sharpest monthly contraction,\u00a0likely reflecting\u00a0post-January-enrolment cycle adjustments.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Petrochemicals (-2%):<\/strong>\u00a0Continued its modest downward trend month-on-month.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Annual (YoY) Industry Standouts<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/search\/it-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IT\u00a0<\/a><\/strong> &amp;<strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/search\/and-telecom-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Telecom<\/a><\/strong> (+57%):<\/strong>\u00a0Continued to dominate annual growth, driven by accelerating digital adoption across the Gulf.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Production\/Manufacturing (+50%):<\/strong>\u00a0Sustained exceptional growth, underpinned by Gulf-wide\u00a0industrialisation\u00a0programmes.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Engineering, Construction &amp; Real Estate (+21%)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Hospitality (+21%):<\/strong>\u00a0Maintained\u00a0strong year-on-year expansion.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/search\/oil-and-gas-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oil\u00a0<\/a><\/strong> &amp; <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/search\/oil-and-gas-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gas<\/a><\/strong> (-2%)<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>Healthcare (-2%)<\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong>Consumer Goods\/FMCG (-7%):<\/strong>\u00a0Were the sectors to record annual contractions, reflecting sector-specific\u00a0recalibrations.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hiring Trends &#8211; Regional<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>UAE (+48%):<\/strong>\u00a0Led annual growth across the Gulf, continuing its strong hiring momentum across multiple sectors.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Kuwait (+22%):<\/strong>\u00a0Posted notable annual gains, supported by diversified sectoral activity.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Oman (+19%):<\/strong>\u00a0Maintained\u00a0its upward trajectory, backed by infrastructure and manufacturing projects.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Bahrain (+8%)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>KSA (+7%):<\/strong>\u00a0Recorded moderate annual growth.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Qatar (+5%)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Egypt (+3%):<\/strong>\u00a0Maintained\u00a0steady, if modest, recruitment activity.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Month-on-month<\/strong>, UAE (+7%) and Oman (+5%) led regional gains, while Bahrain (-9%) was the only country to register a meaningful monthly decline.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hiring Trends \u2013 Functional Area<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Recruitment activity&nbsp;demonstrated&nbsp;a broadly positive performance across functional areas:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In Demand:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>HR &amp; Admin (+54% YoY):<\/strong>\u00a0The top-performing functional area annually, reflecting sustained\u00a0organisational\u00a0expansion and workforce buildout across the region.\u00a0<br>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Software, Hardware &amp; Telecom (+35% YoY):<\/strong>\u00a0Driven by continued technology adoption and digital infrastructure investment.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Engineering &amp; Production (+25% YoY):<\/strong>\u00a0Aligned with ongoing infrastructure and industrial projects.\u00a0<br>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Customer Service (+19% YoY)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Purchase\/Logistics\/Supply Chain (+16% YoY):<\/strong>\u00a0Benefited\u00a0from expanding commercial and supply chain activity.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Facing Challenges:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Finance &amp; Accounting (+1% YoY):<\/strong>\u00a0Barely flat annually, reflecting a continued shift toward automation and fintech in financial roles.\u00a0<br>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>HR &amp; Admin (-3% MoM):<\/strong>\u00a0Despite strong annual numbers, saw a marginal monthly pullback,\u00a0likely a\u00a0post-December correction.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Regional Highlights<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>UAE (+48% YoY):<\/strong>\u00a0Demonstrated\u00a0the strongest annual growth in the Gulf, with\u00a0particular strength\u00a0in Engineering, Construction &amp; Real Estate (+31%) and a robust performance in Sales &amp; Business Development (+24% YoY), reflecting expanding commercial and infrastructure activity.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Kuwait (+22% YoY):<\/strong>\u00a0Emerged\u00a0as a standout performer, with broad-based annual gains across sectors pointing to growing economic diversification.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>KSA:<\/strong>\u00a0IT &amp; Telecom (+63% YoY) was the standout sector, while Production\/Manufacturing recorded an exceptional +87% YoY \u2014 underscoring the Kingdom&#8217;s Vision 2030-driven push to build industrial capacity.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the\u00a0foundit\u00a0Insights Tracker<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The\u00a0foundit\u00a0Insights Tracker (FIT), formerly the Monster Employment Index,\u00a0provides\u00a0a comprehensive view of <strong>online recruitment trends in the Middle East (Gulf)<\/strong>. By\u00a0analysing\u00a0millions 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Highlights of the Month&nbsp; The&nbsp;foundit&nbsp;Insights Tracker (FIT) in the Middle East recorded a strong 53% annual increase in online recruitment activity in January 2026. Month-on-month, the index grew 5%, reflecting a positive start to the year across the region.&nbsp;&nbsp; Over the past three months, e-recruitment activity&nbsp;expanded&nbsp;26%, with the six-month view showing a sustained 38% [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48299,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-50227","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-insights-tracker"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50227"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50227\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50229,"href":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50227\/revisions\/50229"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.founditgulf.com\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}