A recent study has revealed that a significant majority of UAE citizens working in the private sector are unhappy with their current salaries, with over 74 percent expressing dissatisfaction. Conducted by Tasc in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), the survey sheds light on the growing disconnect between employee expectations and market realities.
According to a Khaleej Times report, citing the findings, only 25.76 percent of Emirati employees reported satisfaction with their current compensation, a noticeable drop from last year’s 32 percent. The survey also highlighted a strong desire for higher pay, with 43.04 percent of respondents anticipating a raise of 10 percent or more this year — an increase from last year’s 37.63 percent.
The study found that for UAE nationals, the top three factors influencing their decision to stay in their jobs are salary (45.55 percent), job security (42.91 percent), and opportunities for career advancement (37.22 percent). Despite these priorities, a significant portion of employers continue to offer salaries ranging from Dh4,000 to Dh10,000 — though this percentage has dropped from 65.72 percent last year to 56 percent in 2025.
Further analysis showed that 31.10 percent of employers now provide salaries between Dh10,000 and Dh20,000, while only a small fraction (8.37 percent) offer compensation packages between Dh20,000 and Dh30,000.
Speaking about the findings, Ahmad Yousuf Al Nasser, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Market Policies at MoHRE, emphasized the ministry’s commitment to expanding Emirati participation across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and IT. “We see potential in health, education, and IT sectors. Demand is there across all the sectors,” he said.
The report also noted that a growing number of UAE citizens are showing interest in technology-driven roles, with nearly 28.23 percent of employers hiring Emiratis in technology positions. Operations and human resources roles also remain popular, while sectors like agriculture and trade continue to attract a modest share of jobseekers.
Despite the challenges, Mahesh Shadadpuri, CEO and founder of Tasc, highlighted the positive outlook among young Emiratis. “Young Emiratis are very committed and want to do well. They need to leverage this because diversity of the workforce is also very important,” he said.
The study revealed that over 85 percent of employers are now hiring young Emiratis with 0 to 2 years of experience, a notable rise from 81.27 percent last year. The demand for executives with three to eight years of experience has also increased, with 52.63 percent of employers seeking talent at this level.
