The influx of expatriate professionals to the UAE is driving down employee salaries, turning it into an employer’s market and creating a talent surplus, a new study finds.

The average starting salary for professional services positions in the country fell 0.7 percent year-over-year, and more than half of employees plan to look for a new position next year due to the rising cost of life, according to the recruitment consultancy Robert. Half Salary Guide 2025.

Gareth El Mettouri, director for the Middle East at Robert Half, said the UAE has seen an influx of talent in the finance, accounting and human resources sectors, where salaries have been most affected .

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“It is not uncommon for a company to receive more than 2,000 applications for an advertised position. For more specialized positions in legal and technology, we generally see fewer candidates applying,” El Mettouri told Khaleej Times in an interview on Monday.

Gareth El Mettouri, Director Middle East at Robert Half

Starting salaries for finance and accounting positions fell an average of 2.1 percent and as much as 23 percent for some business accounting positions. While people with accounting skills are still in demand – particularly those with financial planning and tax experience – the ready availability of expats coming to the UAE without a role is driving down their market value, Robert Half said .

The UAE’s population has grown immensely, especially in the larger emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, reaching an all-time high due to the influx of investors and professionals into the country.

Dubai’s population stood at 3.798 million as of November 4, 2024, an increase of 140,000 residents in the first 11 months of 2024. In 2023, the emirate’s population increased by more than 100,000 residents.

Abu Dhabi’s population reached 3.789 million in 2023, an increase of 83 percent compared to 2011, according to the Abu Dhabi Census 2023.

Wahid Abbas

Waheed Abbas is an associate editor, covering real estate, aviation and other business topics that directly affect the lives of UAE consumers. He also frequently reports human interest stories.