As UAE employers look ahead to 2027, experts say attracting and retaining talent will require more than competitive salaries and benefits.
Nishant Mahajan of Marsh Middle East and Africa said employees are increasingly looking for job security, wellbeing, career growth and flexibility. He also stressed that clear communication will be important as companies adapt to economic changes and new technologies.
At the same time, businesses are shifting from simply hiring more people to redesigning roles, developing existing talent and using AI to improve efficiency. Marsh’s 2026 research found that 62% of Middle East business leaders were concerned about talent shortages, compared with 54% globally.