Dubai: There is no other country in the world that attracts more working expatriates than the UAE, according to a new report.
The latest careers website LinkedIn study, which covers more than 380 million members around the world, shows that the UAE remains the most popular destination for professionals seeking greener pastures abroad, beating other job markets like Canada, Australia and Singapore.
LinkedIn came up with the findings after looking at every position that was added to its member profiles between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014. Based on LinkedIn's list, the UAE saw the biggest entry of professionals, posting a gain of 1.89 per cent of its total workforce.
In contrast, other countries saw their professionals move away, with India losing the most talent, at 0.23 per cent of its workforce, France losing 0.20 per cent and Italy 0.19 per cent.
Most professionals who moved into the UAE landed roles in professional services, architectural and engineering, financial services and insurance, technology (software) and retail and consumer products sectors.
They were hired mostly as salespeople, marketing specialists, project managers, corporate finance specialists, accountants, consultants and mechanical engineers.
“This is the second year that the UAE has been revealed as the most attractive destination for professionals,” said Ali Matar, head of talent solutions, LinkedIn Middle East and North Africa (Mena). The professional networking site has more than 16 million members in Mena alone and more than 2 million members in the UAE.
India remains the number one source country for professionals in the UAE, but inflows from other places like United Kingdom, United States and Qatar are on the rise.
“The UAE’s attractiveness as an employment market is no longer limited to the traditional sources of talent, which for years have been India, Pakistan and other Arab states,” said Matar.
“This confirms the country’s status as a strong economy and an appealing working environment that is highly capable of competing on a global scale.”
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai tweeted about the talent migration study.
“The UAE attracts great minds because they value opportunity, quality of life, transparency, good governance and sustainable growth,” the tweet read.
A separate research by health benefits provider Aetna International showed that Dubai is attracting a growing interest from Americans alone, and the emirate has recently overtaken London as the most popular destination for US citizens looking for jobs abroad.
Caroline Pain, marketing director, Aetna International, said people looking for jobs abroad are attracted by the safe and secure environment, as well as the employment opportunities and international lifestyle that Dubai, or the UAE, offers.
“Thirty years ago, Dubai had to work hard to attract skills and expertise. Today, through incredible leadership and vision, Dubai is like no other place in the world, and is seen by many overseas jobseekers as offering great opportunity to develop careers in a range of sectors,” Pain told Gulf News.
Other professionals based in other markets are also moving to Switzerland, the second top destination in the world.
Saudi Arabia is another favourite, landing third on the list, followed by Singapore, Germany, South Africa, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Belgium.
