According to a new study by LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network, the vast majority of professionals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) intend to continue living and working in the country over the next six to twelve months. Furthermore, 66% of respondents stated a firm intention to remain.
These results underscore the sustained role of the UAE as a global hub for talent and innovation. Moreover, recent data from LinkedIn and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs demonstrated that the UAE recorded one of the strongest hiring recoveries post-pandemic among major global markets in 2025. Early data from June 2026 indicates a resumption of hiring recovery and international talent flows following instability in the first half of the year.
Despite the strong desire of UAE professionals to build their future in the country, many are not actively participating in professional communities that could help them navigate the rapidly changing job market. Almost all respondents—96%—consider their professional network important for navigating a career shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid workplace changes. However, 74% noted that they regularly or frequently view online content related to work or career but do not participate in it actively.
The study revealed a gap between recognizing the value of a professional network and knowing how to use it. Approximately 42% reported uncertainty about where to start, while 41% said they did not know how to turn contacts into meaningful relationships. Barriers related to confidence were also identified: four out of ten professionals (40%) worry about bothering people or wasting their time, while 33% fear judgment. More than half, specifically 58%, stated they had not received enough guidance on how to build professional connections or develop their network.
Nevertheless, the results suggest that professionals may underestimate others' willingness to help. About 86% stated that they would very likely respond to or support someone seeking career assistance, even if they were not personally acquainted with them. The study found that while career opportunities in the UAE still depend on skills, networks help translate those skills into visibility and momentum. 39% believe having the right skills and experience gives them the greatest chance of securing new opportunities, while 25% point to a strong professional network, and 23% to online visibility.
The value of these networks is already yielding results: 42% reported that online professional communities helped them expand their knowledge, and 41% reported establishing a contact that supported their career. Najat Abdelhadi, a career expert at LinkedIn, noted: 'The UAE continues to be a place where people come to build ambitious long-term careers. But in a rapidly changing job market, skills alone are not enough. Visibility and relationships are also important, especially for people just starting their journey in the country, early in their careers, or looking to transition to a new sector.'
She added that networking does not require starting with a big request or a perfectly written message. 'Small interactions add up to big things: LinkedIn members receive connection requests almost three times more often and messages almost five times more often if they have interacted with a post from one of their contacts.'
The study was conducted by Censuswide from July 20 to August 10, 2026, among 625 full-time or part-time respondents in the UAE, aged 18 to 80.