Employee Experience
UAE Workforce 2025: Korn Ferry’s Exclusive Survey Findings
Discover what professionals in the UAE expect from work in 2025—key insights on AI, retention, leadership trust, and multigenerational teams.
What Do Professionals in the UAE Expect from Work in 2025?
Ranked 17th globally for talent attraction—and 1st in the Arab world—The UAE continues to strengthen its position as a leading business hub. With a growing population and a rising GDP driven by economic diversification, the competition for top talent is accelerating—and employee expectations are shifting rapidly.
In today’s environment, attracting talent is no longer enough.
To succeed, organizations must understand what motivates professionals—and what will keep them.
Korn Ferry surveyed over 15,000 professionals globally, including 501 respondents in the UAE, to uncover the top trends shaping the workforce in 2025.
Key Insights from UAE Workforce 2025
Generational Gaslighting?
Five generations under one roof.
As age diversity in the workplace increases, so do points of friction—different communication styles, values, and expectations. This section explores the challenges of intergenerational collaboration and how leaders can create more cohesive, high-performing teams.
A New AI World Order
The fear of AI replacing jobs is growing—and it's real.
Our findings reveal how professionals in UAE perceive the rise of AI. Are they optimistic about the future, or concerned about job security? Learn how organizations can ease uncertainty and enable talent to adapt through upskilling and clear communication.
Reward to Retain
Compensation is just the start.
Our data uncovers the primary drivers behind job moves in the UAE. Discover what motivates employees to stay—and what pushes them to leave.
Trust in Leadership
Confidence in managers is being tested.
We examine the current level of trust employees have in their leaders and the growing need for transparency, empathy, and direction. Understand the leadership behaviors that build trust—and the gaps employers must address to drive long-term engagement.
Stay Ahead of Workforce Trends
Download the UAE Workforce 2025 Report to access key insights on evolving employee expectations—and how your organization can adapt to attract, engage, and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive market.
