Emirati women hold 71.6% of skilled private sector Emirati jobs
MoHRE says Emirati women now account for 71.6 per cent of skilled Emirati nationals in private sector jobs, with strong representation in education, healthcare and IT.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
Emirati women in the private sector in the UAE now account for 71.6 per cent of all skilled Emirati nationals working in private companies, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation's Labour Market Observatory Report, cited by Gulf News. For Emirati job seekers and employees, the figures show where skilled hiring is strongest, while the same ministry update also repeats an important rule on workplace discipline: penalties must be fair, proportionate and based on an investigation.
Emirati women in the private sector UAE: the key figures
The report points to a strong concentration of Emirati women in skilled, technical and leadership roles.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Skilled Emirati nationals in private sector who are women | 71.6% |
| Emiratis in IT occupations who are women | 57% |
| Emirati women in private sector who are skilled workers | 98.4% |
| Emiratis in leadership positions who are women | 54.7% |
| Emiratis in technical and specialised occupations who are women | 71.7% |
Sector data was equally strong. In private education and healthcare, Emirati women make up 94.1 per cent of all Emirati nationals in education-related professions and 91.6 per cent of Emiratis in healthcare occupations.
Across the wider workforce, women account for 74.5 per cent of employees in education-related occupations, 66.9 per cent in healthcare professions and 38.1 per cent of the total workforce in IT occupations. The report also said skilled women make up 45.7 per cent of the total female workforce, women hold 18.4 per cent of leadership positions, and 36.4 per cent of establishments have contributed to employing women.
What the UAE workforce growth means for job seekers
The same report showed that the UAE workforce grew by 12.4 per cent in 2025 and by 2.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2026. The number of establishments rose by 7.8 per cent last year, although it fell by 0.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2026.
Young people accounted for 54 per cent of the country's total workforce by the end of the same period. For early-career candidates, that matters because it shows how large the younger workforce has become.
For Emirati candidates, the latest figures land as firms continue to face hiring goals. Job seekers can track related policy deadlines in our guide to UAE firms with 50+ staff urged to meet 31 December Emiratisation target. Sector-specific demand is also worth watching, especially in finance, where Dubai finance sector adds 10,000 Emirati jobs in 4 years.
UAE labour law: disciplinary penalties must be proportionate
In the same source text, MoHRE stressed that employer authority in the private sector is limited by legal safeguards. Any disciplinary measure or penalty must fit the violation, follow an investigation, and give the employee a chance to be heard.
Aisha Ahmed Al Hammadi, Acting Head of the Litigation and Grievances Section at MoHRE, said employers should separate 2 questions. First, did a violation happen. Second, is the penalty legally justified after looking at the circumstances, the impact on work and the steps the employer followed.
The ministry referred to Article 39 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, as amended. It says disciplinary penalties can range from written notices and written warnings to dismissal from service, while preserving the employee's entitlement to end-of-service gratuity in line with the applicable legal rules. If you are checking how gratuity is treated in another common money issue, read UAE gratuity and bank loan rules: can your bank take it?.
MoHRE also said workplace conduct rules should be clear and easy to understand. The clearer the rules, the lower the chance of violations, and the fairer the accountability process becomes when something goes wrong.
What workers and applicants should do next
If you are applying for a private-sector job, the report suggests paying close attention to roles linked to education, healthcare, IT, leadership, and technical or specialised work. You can browse current openings on JobXDubai Jobs.
If you already work in the private sector, there are 3 simple checks based on MoHRE's reminder:
- Read your employer's workplace instructions and conduct rules carefully.
- If an employer alleges misconduct, take part in the investigation and use your chance to explain what happened.
- Check whether any penalty matches the seriousness of the issue and whether the process was followed.
Key takeaway
The MoHRE figures, reported by Gulf News, show Emirati women holding a leading share of skilled private-sector roles in the UAE, especially in education, healthcare and technical work. The same update is also a reminder that employees have legal safeguards if an employer tries to discipline them.
FAQ
What percentage of skilled Emirati private-sector workers are women?
According to MoHRE's Labour Market Observatory Report, Emirati women account for 71.6 per cent of all skilled Emirati nationals employed in the private sector. Gulf News cited the figures.
Which sectors show the strongest presence of Emirati women?
The report showed very high shares in private education and healthcare. Emirati women make up 94.1 per cent of Emirati nationals in education-related professions and 91.6 per cent in healthcare occupations.
What did the report say about IT jobs?
Emirati women represent 57 per cent of Emiratis working in IT occupations, according to the report. Across the wider workforce, women account for 38.1 per cent of the total workforce in IT occupations.
Did the UAE workforce grow in 2025 and 2026?
Yes. The report said the UAE workforce grew by 12.4 per cent in 2025 and by 2.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2026.
Can a UAE employer punish an employee without an investigation?
MoHRE said disciplinary measures in the private sector must follow an investigation, give the employee a chance to be heard, and be proportionate to the violation. The ministry said employer authority is not unrestricted under the law.
Further reading
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