The UAE has once again secured top place on the global stage — this time for its performance in the labour market. According to the 2025 edition of the World Competitiveness Yearbook by the IMD World Competitiveness Center, the country ranked first globally in 10 key labour and employment indicators, outperforming some of the world’s most advanced economies.
These rankings reflect the UAE’s consistent focus on competitiveness, growth, and quality of life — making it an increasingly attractive destination to live, work, and invest.
UAE Ranked First Globally in the Following Labour Market Indicators:
- Working hours
- Employment rate
- Workforce growth
- Low labour disputes
- Employment growth
- Absence of bureaucracy
- Labour market competitiveness
- Low costs of terminating employment
- Availability of international experience
- Availability of senior specialised managers
These results highlight the UAE’s ability to maintain a strong and competitive labour environment while continuing to make room for skilled international talent and senior management across sectors.
UAE’s Other Top Rankings in the 2025 World Competitiveness Yearbook
Second place in:
- Financial skills
- Labour force participation rate
- Proportion of foreign labour force
- Availability of skilled foreign labour
Third place in:
- Availability of skilled labour
- Unemployment expectations
- Availability of qualified engineers
Additional global rankings include:
- 4th in labour regulations and long-term unemployment rate
- 5th in labour unit costs for the overall economy
- 6th in youth unemployment
- 8th in low brain drain
This isn’t the only win for the UAE on the international stage this year. In April 2025, the country was ranked 2nd globally in combating tax evasion and 5th in tax efficiency, strengthening its image as a modern, well-regulated economy with global standards.
For anyone watching the region’s growth trajectory — whether from a business, policy, or workforce perspective — the UAE continues to stand out.
