The UAE’s dynamic economic landscape demands a workforce that is not only skilled but also deeply connected to the nation’s ambitious vision. Emirati youth are central to these ambitions, yet without a clear understanding of their evolving career motivations, aspirations, and drivers, there is a significant risk of misaligning talent development efforts and missing crucial opportunities for innovation and sustained growth.

This white paper, drawing on a nationwide online survey of over 500 young Emiratis, conversations with young Emirati professionals and insights from a multi-stakeholder industry roundtable, addresses this critical challenge. Our findings reveal a generation that prioritises work-life balance (53%) and a supportive environment (51%) over traditional incentives, while family remains the biggest career influencer (46%). They are acutely aware of future trends like AI (42%) yet face significant barriers including high competition for entry-level roles (33%) and a lack of practical experience (28%). The paper further highlights how perceptions of the private sector, pension disparities, and the need for early, practical exposure to professional experiences contribute to a persistent disconnect between youth aspirations and workplace realities.

To bridge these gaps, this paper outlines a collaborative roadmap with actionable recommendations for all stakeholders. It calls for evolving Emiratisation from quotas to quality, harmonising pension systems, and fostering holistic employee well-being. Key solutions include integrating early industry exposure in academia, empowering managers as talent developers, cultivating purpose-driven workplaces, and investing in visible role models.

By translating these insights into actionable strategies, this initiative aims to ensure young Emiratis are not just participants in the workforce, but empowered leaders driving the nation’s successful future.

Download our white paper to explore the full insights:

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