The United Arab Emirates has reached a significant milestone in its ambitious drive to integrate more Emirati nationals into the private sector. As of June 30, 2025, over 152,000 Emiratis are now employed across 29,000 private companies, a remarkable increase from just over 100,000 in May 2024. This impressive figure meets the Emiratisation targets set for the first half of the year, confirming the success of national employment strategies led by the UAE’s leadership and institutions such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
This is not just a numerical achievement; it’s a transformation of the nation’s workforce landscape.
What Are Emiratisation Targets?
Emiratisation targets refer to the UAE government’s strategic goals to increase the number of Emiratis working in the private sector. These targets are part of a broader initiative to create a balanced, diversified, and sustainable national workforce, reducing the heavy reliance on expatriate labor while empowering UAE nationals to take up meaningful roles in the economy.
Set and monitored by the MoHRE, these targets are enforced through a combination of mandates, incentives, and support mechanisms that help both employers and Emirati job seekers align with national priorities.
The Numbers Behind the Success
The leap from 100,000 Emiratis in the private sector in May 2024 to more than 152,000 by June 2025 represents a growth rate of over 50 percent in just a little over a year. These Emirati professionals are now contributing to six key economic sectors:
- Business Services
- Financial Intermediation
- Trade
- Repair Services
- Construction
- Manufacturing
Each of these sectors plays a critical role in the UAE’s economic diversification efforts and long-term vision as outlined in UAE Vision 2031.
Why Is Emiratisation Important?
The Emiratisation targets go beyond employment numbers. This initiative is deeply rooted in the UAE’s commitment to:
- Building a knowledge-based economy
- Creating sustainable career opportunities for nationals
- Enhancing the global competitiveness of the workforce
- Strengthening the private sector’s role in national development
By embedding Emirati talent into private enterprises, the UAE is ensuring that its citizens play an integral role in shaping the future of the nation, while companies benefit from local insight, leadership potential, and long-term workforce stability.
The Role of the Nafis Programme
A cornerstone of the Emiratisation strategy is the Nafis Programme, launched under the UAE’s “Projects of the 50” initiative. Nafis means “competitive” in Arabic, and that’s precisely what the programme aims to do — boost the competitiveness of Emirati talent in the private sector.
What Does Nafis Offer?
Nafis offers a wide range of benefits for Emiratis entering or currently employed in the private sector, including:
- Salary Support: Wage subsidies to make private sector jobs more attractive compared to government positions
- Unemployment Benefits: Temporary financial support for those between jobs
- Child Allowance: Financial support for Emirati families
- Professional Development: Access to vocational training and upskilling programs
- Job Matching Services: Tools that help match Emiratis with roles in suitable private firms
To explore more about these offerings, citizens can visit nafis.gov.ae
Support from the Private Sector
Much of the recent success has been due to increased collaboration between government bodies and private companies. Organizations across sectors are now proactively recruiting, training, and retaining Emirati talent to not only meet legal obligations but also drive long-term success.
Some of the ways companies are aligning with Emiratisation targets include:
- Dedicated HR strategies for hiring Emiratis
- Creating mentorship and career development programs
- Partnering with Nafis and local universities
- Reshaping internal cultures to foster inclusion
These partnerships ensure that Emiratis are not just filling quotas but taking on meaningful roles that contribute to the company’s growth and innovation.
Policy and Legislative Support
The UAE Cabinet has implemented a number of legislative reforms to encourage Emirati employment, such as:
- Mandatory Emiratisation quotas for companies with more than 50 employees
- Fines and penalties for non-compliance
- Incentives and recognition for companies that exceed targets
- Career fairs and job expos supported by the government to connect Emiratis with private employers
These legal frameworks have provided a strong push for change across industries.
Real-Life Impact: Stories from Emiratis in the Private Sector
Many Emiratis are now sharing their positive experiences of transitioning into the private workforce. From banking and finance to engineering and IT, their stories illustrate the changing mindset and the new opportunities available to national talent.
Fatima Al Suwaidi, a financial analyst at a multinational investment firm in Dubai, said:
“The Nafis programme gave me the confidence and support I needed to move into the private sector. Today, I feel like I’m truly contributing to the UAE’s economy in a dynamic and exciting environment.”
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Emiratisation?
While hitting the 152,000 mark is a major success, the journey doesn’t stop here. The UAE has ambitious long-term targets that extend to 2026 and beyond. Future plans include:
- Increasing Emiratisation quotas annually
- Expanding into new sectors like green energy and AI
- Promoting leadership development among Emiratis
- Enhancing support for female workforce participation
- Improving retention rates in private sector roles
The focus will now be on sustained integration, ensuring that Emiratis not only enter the workforce but grow and thrive within it.
Additional Incentives and Benefits for Emiratis
In addition to employment support, the UAE continues to implement social benefits that enhance quality of life for Emirati citizens. For example:
Marriage Leave for Government Employees
As part of its family support strategy, the UAE government now provides 10 days of paid marriage leave for government employees during their first year of marriage. This can be taken either as a single block or in segments, offering flexibility and support for newlyweds.
This policy reflects the broader goal of supporting Emiratis across various aspects of life — employment, family, and personal development.
Conclusion: A Bold Step Toward National Growth
The UAE’s achievement of placing 152,000 Emiratis in the private sector by mid-2025 is a clear indicator of successful governance, forward-thinking policy, and a unified national vision. Through the Emiratisation targets, the Nafis Programme, and continuous collaboration between public and private sectors, the country is redefining what a sustainable and inclusive economy looks like.
The journey ahead remains filled with opportunity. As the UAE continues to nurture its national talent and invest in long-term development, Emiratis will play an ever-increasing role in driving innovation, competitiveness, and prosperity for generations to come.
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