Most UAE professionals prefer to be self-employed: YouGov

Most UAE professionals prefer to be self-employed: YouGov

Almost two-thirds (62%) of UAE residents prefer to be self-employed/have their own business if given the choice, according to a new survey conducted by Bayt.com, a leading job site in the region, and market research agency YouGov.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 a way to maximize impact and drive growth and innovation in the economy,” said Ola Haddad, Director of Human Resources at Bayt.com.“As part of our research strategy, Bayt.com will continue to research topics that provide professionals in the entrepreneurial ecosystem with credible data to make informed decisions.”UAE entrepreneurial ecosystemEntrepreneurship continues to be a growing trend