Surge in UAE and Saudi Arabia Tech Hiring as European Talent Looks East

According to a study conducted by workforce solutions and recruitment company Hays, Eastern and Southern Europe are emerging as key sources of IT talent for UAE-based firms, especially for roles related to data, infrastructure, and cybersecurity

In a significant shift within the global tech industry, a potential’ mass exodus’ of tech talent from Europe is anticipated to significantly bolster hiring at companies based in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

According to a study conducted by workforce solutions and recruitment company Hays, Eastern and Southern Europe are emerging as key sources of IT talent for UAE-based firms, especially for roles related to data, infrastructure, and cybersecurity.

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The study revealed that companies in the Middle East offer more than double the salaries for key IT roles compared to some European countries.

Hays’ analysis of the EMEA region’s tech and IT talent market indicates that more than a third of all European tech professionals will leave their jobs this year, citing low salaries as a primary reason.

“Tax-free salaries continue to make the UAE a highly attractive place to work,” Eamonn Hart, Senior Manager – Technology at Hays Middle East, told Khaleej Times.

“Firms can typically offer higher salaries here than in most European countries. With strong market conditions and organizations ramping up operations in the region, it presents many attractive career prospects for specialists looking to leverage their skills.”

In addition to salary, European tech professionals are driven to leave their current positions due to a lack of development opportunities, career progression, and long-term prospects, as well as roles that are not challenging enough.

“Organizations in the UAE can satisfy tech professionals’ thirst for AI and exciting projects,” said Hart. “82 percent of all EMEA tech professionals desire AI training. IT specialists crave exciting work with the newest, most impactful technologies. Indeed, 40 percent of all tech professionals in EMEA cited ‘challenging roles or projects’ as the biggest factor they look for in an organization after pay.”

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The Tech Talent Explorer, which surveyed over 5,000 IT specialists across 20 EMEA countries, found that 22 per cent of techies based in the Middle East are expecting a salary increase of 20 per cent or more this year. In contrast, less than 10 per cent in Europe are expecting such an increase.

According to Hart, UAE-based companies will be recruiting for both the remainder of 2024 and well into 2025. “With technology playing a critical role for businesses wanting to innovate, digitally transform, keep up with competition and market demand, technology professionals will be paramount.

There is currently a key focus on AI positions with cybersecurity becoming increasingly more important,” he said.

The study provided a comparative analysis of salaries for key IT positions across the EMEA. For instance, a network engineer in the Middle East can earn an average of EUR74,900 (Dh298,500), compared to EUR31,000 (Dh123,500) in Czechia and EUR33,000 (Dh131,500) in Spain.

Similarly, a security engineer in the GCC can earn EUR105,000 (Dh418,500), while the same role in Hungary and Spain offers EUR39,000 (Dh155,400) and EUR44,200 (Dh176,100), respectively.

Hart emphasized that 56 percent of tech professionals in the Middle East use AI more than in any European country. This trend presents a strategic advantage for Middle Eastern companies aiming to attract tech talent.

The report suggests that the second half of 2024 will be a pivotal time for hiring from Europe, as many professionals will be open to new opportunities.

“It is well known that salaries tend to be higher in the UAE and KSA, which is obviously an attraction for tech specialists in lower-paying European countries. This report offers new insights as to other ways that Middle Eastern companies can attract this talent — for example, by highlighting AI initiatives and progression plans,” Hart concluded.

Tariq Saeed

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