UAE Private Sector Employs More Than 190,000 Emiratis
The UAE’s private sector has crossed a major Emiratisation milestone, with more than 190,000 Emiratis now employed across private companies in the country.
| Written by Riya Malhotra
According to figures released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Emiratis are now working across nearly 32,000 private-sector companies, reflecting the continued progress of the UAE’s national talent agenda. Around 95 per cent of companies covered by Emiratisation policies met their targets for the first half of 2026.
The latest numbers signal a growing shift in the UAE labour market, where private-sector participation is becoming a stronger part of the national employment strategy. For employers, the focus is no longer only on meeting compliance requirements, but on building sustainable career pathways for Emirati talent.
The milestone also comes as the UAE continues to strengthen the Nafis programme, which has been extended until 2040. The long-term extension reflects the country’s continued focus on supporting Emirati participation in the private sector and creating stable, future-ready employment opportunities for UAE nationals.
For HR leaders, the development brings both opportunity and responsibility. As more Emiratis enter private-sector roles, companies will need to look beyond recruitment numbers and invest in onboarding, mentorship, skills development, leadership pipelines, and retention strategies that support long-term career growth.
Emiratisation has also increasingly become linked to quality of employment. From January 2026, the UAE raised the minimum wage for Emiratis working in the private sector to AED 6,000 per month, with establishments given until 30 June 2026 to adjust salaries for existing Emirati employees.
This makes the next phase of Emiratisation especially important for HR teams. Hiring Emirati talent is only the first step. The larger challenge will be ensuring that employees are placed in meaningful roles, supported by capable managers, and given clear progression opportunities within the organisation.
As the UAE’s private sector continues to expand its national workforce, Emiratisation is becoming more than a policy target. It is emerging as a long-term people strategy, one that will shape workforce planning, employer branding, learning and development, and leadership succession across industries.
Source: The National News, Khaleej Times, Gulf News
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