Private Sector Employment Among Emiratis Hits 152,000 – A Notable Jump from 2024

Compared to May 2024 – when just over 100,000 Emiratis were working in private businesses – the increase is significant. Most of these roles fall within key economic sectors including business services, finance, trade and repair, construction, and manufacturing – all considered vital to the country’s long-term development.

This progress is largely driven by a coordinated national push. Policies and initiatives – including the government-backed Nafis programme – have played a central role in boosting Emirati employment across industries. The goal is not only to place citizens in jobs but to build inclusive, future-focused workplaces where they can contribute to sustainable business growth.

Nafis, which means ‘precious’ in Arabic, is a federal programme designed to elevate the role of Emirati talent in the private sector over a five-year period. It offers a suite of support schemes – from salary top-ups and child allowances to unemployment benefits and training opportunities. In line with a broader shift toward more inclusive employment policies, Emirati government employees are also now entitled to 10 days of paid marriage leave during their first year of marriage – either taken at once or split into multiple periods.

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