The GCC labor market was valued at USD 110.67 Billion in 2025. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.20% during the forecast period of 2026-2035 to reach a value of USD 183.73 Billion by 2035.
Investments in infrastructure continue to drive growth, such as the UAE moving USD 3 billion towards healthcare projects in 2024, driving demand for skilled workers. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiatives (including NEOM) are leading to labor needs in construction and technology, with a reported 15% increase in expatriates hired in 2024. Combined with the region's efforts to diversify from oil dependency, the forecast for the GCC labor market looks promising.Companies in the GCC are increasingly adopting AI-driven recruitment tools, automating resume screening, and utilizing HR data analytics for better workforce planning. A notable example is the launch of Iris by Qureos in July 2023, an AI recruitment platform that automates candidate sourcing, shortlisting, and outreach. This shift is evident in sectors like finance and tech, where digital-first work cultures are becoming the norm.
Base Year
Historical Period
Forecast Period
Compound Annual Growth Rate
5.2%
Value in USD Billion
2026-2035
*this image is indicative*
The GCC labor market is aimed at minimizing oil dependence via projects such as Saudi Vision 2030. For instance, Saudi Arabia heavily invested in NEOM, developing thousands of construction and technology jobs. This phenomenon is diversifying labor demand, shifting away from the conventional oil and gas industries, and drawing skilled professionals from countries such as South East Asia and the European Union. As states invest more in tourism and renewable energy, the demand for diversified skill sets is on the rise, propelling market expansion.
Nationalization programs, including Saudi Arabia's Nitaqat are reshaping the labor market by prioritizing local jobs. In 2025, the UAE launched fresh quotas for the recruitment of Emiratis within the private sector, impacting industries like retail and hospitality. It may reduce reliance on expatriates but creates a need for training programs to equip locals, particularly managerial and professional roles. This change harmonizes local empowerment and the need for external expertise and motivates sustainable growth in the GCC labor market.
Multibillion-dollar infrastructure initiatives are propelling labor demands in all of the GCC. Qatar's progress for hosting international events, such as the 2026 Asian Games, has stimulated growth in construction jobs, with a projected 20% increase in the employment of unskilled workers in 2024. Similarly, the UAE's expansion of Expo City Dubai in 2025 is driving the demand for skilled workers for logistics and hospitality. This expansion indicates the determination of the region to be a global hub, significantly boosting the growth of the labor market in infrastructure-related sectors.
Greater focus on the technology and health sectors is driving demand for skilled professionals, which is helping to boost the GCC labor market. In 2024, the Kuwait government partnered with European businesses to employ IT professionals for their digital transformation programs, which was a sign of the need for professionals in new fields. The healthcare industry, particularly in the UAE, has also seen growing demand for experts with the introduction of new hospital developments. This trend is driving market growth by attracting high-skilled expats, predominantly from the European Union, to meet specialized labor needs.
The GCC continues to rely heavily on expat labor, particularly from South Asian countries like India and Pakistan. In 2025, Bahrain reported a massive hiring of Indian labor in the construction sector to support its infrastructure development. The cultural dependence offers a reliable pool of manpower for the oil and gas and manufacturing sectors, dominated by clerical and unskilled jobs. The job facilitates market growth through meeting existing labor requirements while maintaining long-term economic progress in the region.
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The EMR’s report titled “GCC Labor Market Report and Forecast 2026-2035” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
Market Breakup by Employment
Key Insight: The unskilled segment is currently dominating the market functionality, driven by infrastructural projects, like preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Qatar. The management segment with many required positions, oversees project developments such as the UAE’s expansion in healthcare into 2024. Mostly, European managers are used for most of these positions. The skilled segment such as IT professionals being brought in from Europe in Kuwait in 2024 for digital projects is filling a technology gap in skilled labor development. The professional segment, including doctors hired in the UAE in 2024, is meeting the need for high skilled labor in the healthcare and tourism sector.
Market Breakup by End Use
Key Insight: The infrastructure sector drives the labor market share in GCC, and oil and gas remain relevant in 2024 employing Indian engineers at Aramco in Saudi Arabia. Manufacturing is growing in Bahrain hiring Pakistani replacements along assembly lines in 2025. Many hospital construction projects in the UAE in 2025 are expected to attract a significant number of doctors from Europe. Hospitality with resort developments in Saudi Arabia will likely hire Sri Lankans in 2025 for tourism goals. Retail in 2025 with hiring quotas in the UAE will see some balance from local to expatriates and in logistics (Dubai), telecom (Kuwait), agriculture (Oman).
Market Breakup by Country of Origin
Key Insight: India leads the GCC labor industry growth, supplying workers for construction in Bahrain in 2025, reflecting its role in infrastructure projects. Pakistan provided clerical staff for Saudi Arabia’s manufacturing in 2024, supporting industrial growth. While Bangladesh is meeting unskilled labor needs, Qatar is hiring workers for the 2026 Asian Games in 2024. Sri Lanka contributes to hospitality, with Saudi Arabia’s 2024 resort projects employing service staff. South East Asia, particularly the Philippines, supports logistics in Dubai’s 2024 hubs, while the European Union provides professionals for Kuwait’s 2024 digital projects.
Market Breakup by Country
Key Insight: Saudi Arabia dominates the GCC labor market, with Vision 2030 initiatives like NEOM hiring thousands in 2024, driving demand across sectors. The UAE is witnessing healthcare and logistics growth, hiring South East Asian workers for Expo City Dubai in 2024. Qatar’s market booms with the 2026 Asian Games, employing Bangladeshi laborers in 2024 for infrastructure. Kuwait focuses on technology, hiring European IT specialists in 2024 for digital projects. Oman expands agriculture, employing Bangladeshi workers in 2025 for food security goals, while Bahrain grows in manufacturing, hiring Indian workers for industrial projects.
By employment, unskilled labor to lead due to capacity increases
The unskilled account for the biggest GCC labor market share, which is fueled by the region's use of manual labor in developing its infrastructure. Qatar's hosting preparations for the 2026 Asian Games have spurred Bangladesh laborer hiring since 2024 for stadium and transport developments. Its superiority is a result of the GCC's fast urbanization, as seen with projects such as NEOM in Saudi Arabia, which demands an enormous number of workers to work on construction activities, thereby playing its pivotal role in achieving the region's developmental objectives.
The professional segment is the most rapidly growing, driven by the need for high-level professionals in healthcare and technology. The UAE employed European physicians for upcoming hospital developments, which attests to the demand for professionals in specialized disciplines. The fast growth of this segment comes from the GCC's emphasis on top-class services, especially in Saudi Arabia's tourism industry, where professionals plan luxury experiences, thereby driving market growth.
Infrastructure sector to gain large share with increase in projects
The infrastructure sector is powering GCC labor market expansion through extensive regional projects. The recent opening of Saudi Arabia's NEOM megacity and continued development of the UAE's Etihad Rail network are generating strong demand for skilled workers, engineering skills, and project management capability, making infrastructure a central driver of employment and economic diversification throughout the Gulf. This boom is also driving expansion in ancillary sectors, including construction technology, renewable energy integration, and urban planning, further broadening the scope of job prospects throughout the region.
The medical sector is rapidly growing, fueled by investment in medical infrastructure. The USD 3 billion allocated by the UAE for healthcare projects in 2024 employed workers from the European Union, indicating the growth of the sector. Increased population and government emphasis on healthcare, especially in Kuwait, drive the growth of this segment as digital health programs need IT experts, thereby fueling market growth in high-demanding sectors.
India-based labor to drive the market growth through mass-scale initiatives
India has the largest percentage in the GCC labor market, providing unskilled and skilled personnel across construction and healthcare. Its dominance is attributed to robust migration networks, providing reliable supply of workers, especially in oil and gas, hence acting as a stimulus for market stability. Recent mega projects like Saudi Arabia's NEOM, Qatar's North Field Expansion, and the UAE's clean energy and housing project have added to the high-level recruitment from India, solidifying its position as an important labor partner of the Gulf.
The fastest-growing part is the European Union, led by demand for professional and skilled professionals in technology and healthcare. Kuwait's digital projects in 2024 recruited European IT professionals, indicating growth in the high-skill sector of this part. Its high growth is led by the GCC modernization drive, especially in Saudi Arabia, where professionals are required for renewable energy initiatives, thereby boosting market growth.
Saudi Arabia asserts the strong market position on account of increasing tourism
Saudi Arabia holds the highest percentage in the GCC labor market, thanks to Vision 2030 projects such as NEOM, which recruited thousands of employees in 2024. Its dominance is fueled by its mega-projects in construction and tourism that need a multiskilled workforce. Its leadership is an example of the region's diversification agenda, balancing domestic and foreign labor, to cement its position in the market.
Qatar is the most rapidly growing country, driven by events such as the 2026 Asian Games, which boosted employment of Bangladeshi workers in 2024. Its rapid growth is driven by its emphasis on infrastructure and tourism, requiring diverse labor to service international events. Qatar's potential is driven by its aggressive growth objectives, putting it at the forefront as a driver of market growth in the GCC.
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The GCC labor market is distinguished by the vibrant competitive environment, where the role of recruitment agencies and government initiatives is crucial in determining the dynamics of the workforce. The agencies are targeting strategic alliances to serve various labor needs, like Alahad Group's partnership with Indian companies in 2025 to provide construction workers for Bahrain's infrastructure developments.
Technology adoption is also critical, with companies such as Brunel International launching digital platforms during 2024 to simplify the recruitment of professionals in the tech industry in Kuwait. Also, government policies such as Saudi Arabia's Nitaqat initiative are pushing competition by promoting local employment while still requiring expatriate talent, especially in the health and IT sectors. These policies are promoting market expansion through overcoming the region's requirement for a balanced workforce, facilitating economic diversification, and increasing labor market efficiency.
Alahad Group is one of Pakistan's leading manpower recruitment companies that specializes in providing qualified labor to overseas markets, especially the Middle East. It provides services in visa processing, medical examination, and deployment support for a smooth experience for employers and employees.
Established in 1975 by Jan Brand, Brunel International has its headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Today, Brunel International has become a worldwide expert in providing tailored project and workforce solutions to businesses in a wide range of sectors, including energy, life sciences, and technology.
Founded in 1948 by Aaron Scheinfeld and Elmer Winter, ManpowerGroup is based in Wisconsin, USA. ManpowerGroup has become a worldwide leader in workforce solutions with services including staffing, talent management, and outsourcing. ManpowerGroup has operations in more than 80 countries, bringing millions of people to meaningful job opportunities.
Randstad Middle East, a subsidiary of the international Randstad Group, was established in 1960 and has its headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Middle East region specializes in delivering staffing and workforce solutions in diverse industries such as engineering, healthcare, and finance.
*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*
Other key players in the GCC labor market are Hays Middle East.
Stay ahead with Expert Market Research’s GCC Labor Market Report 2026, your definitive guide to workforce dynamics, migration trends, and future employment opportunities in the Gulf region. Download your free sample report today to explore GCC labor market trends 2026, sector insights, and strategic forecasts that help businesses, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions.
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The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.20% between 2026 and 2035.
Key strategies driving the market include embracing digital transformation and AI-driven HR solutions to optimize workforce planning, adopting hybrid and remote work models for flexibility, offering competitive salaries and benefits to attract skilled talent, and implementing workforce localization programs like Saudization and Emiratization to develop local skills while balancing expatriate expertise.
The key trends in the market include the increasing demand for skilled labor from enterprises, rising investments towards upskilling of labor, and growing demand for labor from oil and gas, logistics, and healthcare sectors.
Unskilled, clerical, management, skilled, and professional are the different segments included in the GCC labor market based on employment.
Oil and gas, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, retail, logistic, telecom, and agriculture, among others, are the various end uses in the market.
A labor market deals with the demand and supply of labor to carry out physically or mentally demanding tasks.
A strong labor market means the demand for labor is high as the employment is healthy across various sectors.
The countries of origin for labor in the GCC are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, and European Union, among others.
The primary types of employers in the market include private sector and public sector.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain are the major countries in the labor market in the GCC.
In 2025, the market reached an approximate value of USD 110.67 Billion.
The key players in the market include Alahad Group, Brunel International, ManpowerGroup, Randstad Middle East and Hays Middle East.
Key challenges for market players include talent shortages, particularly in digital and technical roles, regulatory complexities across different countries, and difficulties in integrating diverse work cultures within multinational teams. Additionally, economic fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties affect labor demand, requiring strategic planning, workforce training, and adaptive policies to maintain stability.
Explore our key highlights of the report and gain a concise overview of key findings, trends, and actionable insights that will empower your strategic decisions.
| REPORT FEATURES | DETAILS |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Historical Period | 2019-2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026-2035 |
| Scope of the Report |
Historical and Forecast Trends, Industry Drivers and Constraints, Historical and Forecast Market Analysis by Segment:
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| Breakup by Employment |
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| Breakup by End Use |
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| Breakup by Country of Origin |
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| Breakup by Region |
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| Competitive Landscape |
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| Companies Covered |
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