UAE Hits Record: 152,000 Emiratis in Private Sector by June 2025
Dubai, July 22, 2025 – The UAE has hit a major milestone. The ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) confirms that more than 152,000 Emiratis are now employed in the private sector. The figure, recorded at the end of June 2025, marks a sharp rise in national workforce participation, with nearly 29,000 private companies now employing UAE nationals.
This is the highest number ever recorded. It is a strong indicator that Emiratisation policies are working just according to the planning that made them possible.
What’s Driving the Surge in Emirati Private-Sector Jobs?
A record has not come about on its own. There are some solid policies behind this marvellous achievement:
1. Nafis Programme Is Doing the Heavy Lifting
The Nafis programme is fueling this trend. Launched under the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, it gives companies real incentives to hire nationals. Think: salary top-ups, training, bonuses, and even child allowances. That’s why thousands of Emiratis are landing jobs they actually want. That too in places that used to overlook them.
2. Sectors Are Opening Up
Finance, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing are no longer off-limits. Emiratis are stepping into real roles: analysts, nurses, coders, engineers. These aren’t token placements, rather they’re part of the daily workforce, and companies are finally seeing the value of hiring locals.
3. The Rules Are Clear; Hire or Pay
If you run a company with 50 or more employees, you’re expected to meet annual Emiratisation targets. That’s not a polite request. It’s a policy now.You will have to pay the price if you miss it. Penalties are very real now. These aren’t empty threats. MoHRE means business.
4. Enforcement Is Real
By mid-2025, 2,200 companies had already been hit with fines for non-compliance. The system is digital, the checks are regular, and the pressure is rising. The new policies are efficiently and effectively fixing the balance in favour of locals. No exceptions are allowed.
From 100,000 to 152,000 in Just 13 Months
Compare the numbers. In May 2024, Emiratis in the private sector stood at just over 100,000. By June 2025? That figure surged by over 50%.This aligns with the UAE’s broader Vision 2030 goals: building a diversified economy and reducing dependence on public-sector employment. That shift is now visibly underway.
Sectoral Participation and Economic Impact
Nearly 29,000 private companies across the UAE now employ Emiratis. That’s not a niche trend anymore. It’s a real transformation. And it’s touching almost every industry.
The private sector is now absorbing Emirati talent across industries.
- Finance
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Logistics
- Manufacturing
- Construction
All of these sectors are seeing stronger national participation. This includes skilled positions and leadership-track roles, not just entry-level placements.
This milestone is not a game of numbers. It is part of a major governmental scheme aimed at uplifting emiratis in the long run. It’s about creating long-term, competitive career paths for UAE nationals, especially the youth.
Why This Matters Long-Term
This isn’t just a hiring push. It’s a transformation.
A more nationally representative workforce:
- Strengthens economic resilience
- Promotes social stability
- Reduces youth unemployment
- Builds local leadership in the private sector
It also signals that the private sector is no longer a foreign-only domain. Emiratis are choosing it and they are thriving in it. But challenges remain. There are skill gaps. Industry mismatches. There is significant resistance in some sectors. That’s why MoHRE is calling for closer collaboration between government, businesses, and educational institutions.
Looking ahead, the government’s next target is 10% Emiratisation in skilled private-sector roles by the end of 2026. For now, the push continues. MoHRE expects a 1% increase every six months for eligible firms.
Conclusion
This isn’t just a win for statistics. It’s a moment that shows Emiratisation is turning from policy into reality. From wage support to workforce integration, from compliance crackdowns to youth employment, the UAE is making it clear: Emiratis belong in the private sector. And they’re here to stay.
References
- Nafis | نافس. https://nafis.gov.ae/.Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
- “UAE’s Emiratisation Drive: Over 150,000 Citizens Now Working in Private Sector.” Khaleej Times, https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/emiratisation-152000-citizens-private-sector. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
- وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين – دولة الإمارات – MOHRE. https://www.mohre.gov.ae/. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
- https://www.actvet.gov.ae/en/media/lists/elibraryld/economic-vision-2030-full-versionen.pdf
