Almost Two-Thirds of UAE Professionals Prefer to Be Self-Employed, Finds Bayt.com & YouGov Survey

Almost Two-Thirds of UAE Professionals Prefer to Be Self-Employed, Finds Bayt.com & YouGov Survey

A new survey conducted by Bayt.com, the Middle East's #1 job site, and market research agency, YouGov, entitled 'Entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa 2021' has found that almost two-thirds (62%) of UAE residents prefer to be self-employed/have their own business if given the choice. The survey found that personal fulfillment (53%) and freedom to choose work-life balance (46%) emerge as the top reasons for preferring to be self-employed. This is followed by the ability to give back to the community (38%) and freedom to choose what to work on (36%). Those who have already started their business seem to have similar reasoning. When asked about the reasons MENA professionals have for starting their own business, the top three reasons were: 'wanted to do what I love' (29%), 'having a great business idea' (28%) and 'to achieve a better work-life balance' (24%). Of those who prefer to seek employment in a company in the UAE, the main reasons for their preference are: learning new skills (47%) and stability of employment/ job security (47%). "Wealth creation is not the only driver for MENA entrepreneurs, who increasingly tend to be aspirational in other ways. Our survey aims to understand the views of entrepreneurs as