United Arab Emirates: jobs and pay

Is there a minimum wage in the UAE?

There is no general minimum wage in the UAE. The UAE Government portal says the Labour Law sets no minimum salary, only a general requirement that wages meet employees' basic needs.

There is one exception. According to the portal page on Emiratis in the private sector, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation set a minimum monthly wage of AED 6,000 for Emirati nationals working in the private sector, effective 1 January 2026. Private employers must pay wages through the Wage Protection System, which lets the ministry check that pay arrives in full and on time.

Official sources: u.ae: Payment of salaries/wages · u.ae: Emiratis' employment in the private sector

What is the unemployment rate in the UAE?

Unemployment in the UAE was 2.2% of the labour force in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimate published by the World Bank. Youth unemployment (ages 15 to 24) was 6.5%, and labour force participation was 78.6%.

These are ILO model estimates, not survey results. Most of the UAE's workforce are foreign nationals on employer-sponsored residence permits, who generally leave the country if they lose their job, which keeps measured unemployment low. The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre runs the national labour force survey, including unemployment among Emiratis; its site blocked our automated check today.

Official sources: World Bank: unemployment, total (ILO estimate), UAE · World Bank: youth unemployment (ILO estimate), UAE

What are the legal working hours in the UAE?

Normal working hours in the UAE private sector are 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week, under Article 17 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on labour relations, according to the UAE Government portal. During Ramadan, working hours are cut by 2 hours a day.

The Executive Regulations of the Labour Law can raise or lower daily hours for certain sectors or groups of workers. Commuting time does not count as working time except for categories named in the regulations. A worker with more than one employer cannot be required to work beyond the hours in their contract without written agreement. Government employees follow separate federal rules.

Official sources: u.ae: Working hours and overtime

What is the retirement age in the UAE?

An Emirati national is entitled to a pension at the retirement age of 60 with at least 15 years of insured service, according to the UAE Government portal. Earlier retirement is possible under set conditions on age and years of service.

The pension scheme, run by the General Pension and Social Security Authority, covers Emirati and other GCC nationals. Contributions total 20% of salary: 5% from the employee, 12.5% from the employer and 2.5% from the government. Foreign workers are not in the pension scheme; private-sector expatriates receive an end-of-service gratuity instead. The pension is calculated on the average pensionable salary over the last 6 years of service.

Official sources: u.ae: Pensions and social security for UAE citizens · General Pension and Social Security Authority

How is end-of-service gratuity calculated in the UAE?

A private-sector worker with more than 1 but less than 5 years of service receives 21 days' wage for each year worked, and 30 days' wage for each year after the first 5, according to the UAE Government portal. The total cannot exceed 2 years' wages.

The gratuity is based on the basic wage, not allowances. The same page describes an optional alternative savings scheme under which employers contribute 5.83% of an employee's monthly basic salary during the first 5 years and 8.33% after that. Emirati and GCC nationals in the pension scheme follow the pension rules instead.

Official sources: u.ae: End-of-service benefits in the private sector

How does unemployment insurance work in the UAE?

An insured worker who loses their job receives 60% of their subscription salary for up to 3 months, capped at AED 10,000 a month for those with a basic salary up to AED 16,000 and AED 20,000 a month above that, according to the UAE Government portal.

Premiums are no more than AED 5 a month for the lower category and AED 10 for the higher. To claim, a worker must have been subscribed for at least 12 continuous months. Workers who do not subscribe, or who stop paying premiums, can be fined AED 400. The scheme is set by Ministerial Decision No. 604 of 2022 and is run under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Official sources: u.ae: Unemployment insurance scheme

What is the United Arab Emirates' unemployment rate?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 2.2%. The peak was 4.3% in 2020 and the low 1.6% in 2016. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 8.3%, and the United Arab Emirates placed 19th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 156th highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in the United Arab Emirates?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in the United Arab Emirates was 6.5%, according to the ILO. The peak was 13.5% in 2020 and the low 5.1% in 2016. It is 18th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 18.3%. Worldwide: 138th of 174.

What share of people in the United Arab Emirates are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in the United Arab Emirates at 78.6% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 76.6% (2009) to 79.5% (2019). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 45.2%, and the United Arab Emirates placed 2nd highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 12th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in the United Arab Emirates?

53.0%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in the United Arab Emirates for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 58.2% in 2020 and the low 37.2% in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 24.0%; the United Arab Emirates is 4th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 91st of 174.

What is the employment rate in the United Arab Emirates?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in the United Arab Emirates was 76.9% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 77.6%; its low point was 2005, at 74.3%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 40.0%; the United Arab Emirates is 2nd highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 11th of 174.

How many workers in the United Arab Emirates are self-employed or family workers?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 1.5%. The peak was 1.6% in 2023 and the low 0.2% in 2005. It is 19th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 21.6%. World rank, highest first: 172nd of 174.

How many people in the United Arab Emirates are employees?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in the United Arab Emirates at 94.9% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 94.8% (2023) to 96.6% (2014). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 74.1%, and the United Arab Emirates placed 5th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 6th of 174.