UAE jobs: Nearly 50% Emiratis expect a salary hike this year

UAE jobs: Nearly 50% Emiratis expect a salary hike this year

The report found that 74 per cent of employers in the UAE plan to increase salaries in 2022

Photo for illustrative purposes

Published: Sat 26 Feb 2022, 8:11 AM

Half of UAE nationals expect their salary will increase this year, according to a new study released by recruitment consultancy Hays.

Around 48 per cent of Emiratis anticipate their salary will remain the same as in 2021 and two per cent expect a decrease.

“This is the first time since running our annual salary survey that we have seen expectations for salary increases outweigh those expecting their salary to remain the same year-on-year within the Emirati community,” said Grace Eldridge, business manager of Hays Emiratisation division.

“While professionals' expectations are always slightly inflated above actual market trends, we do think these expectations are relatively realistic. Confidence in the market is at a three-year high, with business activity generally above and beyond pre-pandemic levels in the UAE. As a result, we expect a higher number of salary increases to be awarded this year than the past two years,” Eldridge said in Hays Emiratisation Salary Guide 2022.

The report found that almost three quarters – 74 per cent – of employers in the UAE plan to increase salaries in 2022,