Korn Ferry’s Workforce 2025 Report Highlights the Key Trends Driving the Workforce in the UAE and Saudi Arabia

Korn Ferry, the global organizational consulting firm, has released its Workforce 2025 Report, presenting findings from over 15,000 professionals across ten global markets. The research explores how people feel about work today, what drives them to stay or leave, and how organisations can better respond to evolving workforce expectations.

As part of its Workforce 2025 research, Korn Ferry has also released two dedicated reports focused on the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. These country-specific reports highlight the unique priorities, pressures and motivators shaping the region’s workforce. They reveal growing sentiment around trust, purpose, AI optimism and generational friction, while also pointing to gaps between what employees want and what employers are delivering.

United Arab Emirates: Key Insights

• Cost of living is placing pressure on expectations. 2 in 3 professionals in the UAE say they would switch jobs for better pay. Yet many feel their compensation has not kept pace with rising expenses, particularly in housing and education, prompting workers to reassess what they value in an employer.
• Trust in leadership drives retention. 3 in 5 UAE professionals would stay in their job because they trust their manager. However, nearly half (44%) say they do not feel comfortable talking to their manager about personal matters affecting their work, indicating that psychological safety remains underdeveloped.
• Generational friction is evident. 68% of Gen Z cite communication and team collaboration as key challenges when working with older generations. Additionally, around 60% of Gen Z surveyed feel they are overlooked for training opportunities due to their age, while 56% believe they are passed over for senior roles for the same reason.
• Pay, benefits and growth remain key motivators for change. According to Korn Ferry’s Workforce 2025 survey, 80% of employees in the UAE say they would consider switching jobs for better pay. In addition to compensation, employees also highlight benefits, job security, and opportunities for growth as important factors influencing their decision to move.

Saudi Arabia: Key Insights

• AI optimism is high, particularly in the public sector. Ninety percent of government employees in Saudi Arabia report receiving AI training. While public-sector readiness is accelerating, the private sector has yet to match this pace, pointing to uneven capability building across industries.
• Employees are more confident about job mobility. 3 in 5 professionals in Saudi Arabia believe they could easily find another job if they chose to leave, reflecting growing optimism and fluidity in the labour market.
• Salary remains a top driver, but purpose matters. As in the UAE, 80% of professionals in Saudi Arabia would change jobs for higher pay. However, the decision to stay or leave is also shaped by whether people feel their work has meaning and whether they are treated with respect and empathy. Unlike in the UAE, job security is not widely reported as a major concern in Saudi Arabia, pointing to a relatively strong and stable employment environment.
• Flexibility remains a critical priority. 83% of professionals in Saudi Arabia say being able to work flexibly is essential to job satisfaction. Despite this, many believe their employers are not offering models that meet their personal and professional needs.
• Generational support and communication need attention. 73% of Gen Z professionals say they need more help developing communication and teamwork skills. However, only 57% of Gen X employees believe this is an issue, again underlining generational disconnects in perception and development needs.
• What’s Driving Talent to Leave? The survey reveals top reasons professionals in Saudi Arabia would consider leaving their current jobs, with employee benefits, pay, and company reputation topping the list.

“This report reflects a growing call for clarity, empathy and adaptability in the way organisations engage their people,”said Vijay Gandhi, Regional Director, Korn Ferry Digital, EMEA. “Employees in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are no longer just seeking better pay, they are actively evaluating leadership quality, growth opportunities, and how aligned their workplace is with their personal values. These insights are vital for any organisation looking to retain and attract top talent in today’s environment.”

With talent expectations evolving faster than ever, Workforce 2025 underscores the need for organizations to build cultures of trust, leadership accountability, and purposeful engagement. The findings serve as a strategic roadmap for employers across the region to recalibrate their people strategies, ensuring they remain competitive in a dynamic, values-driven talent market.

The full Workforce 2025 Reports are now available on the website.

• To view the UAE please visit: https://www.kornferry.com/ae/insights/uae-workforce-report-2025
• To view the Saudi Arabia report please visit: https://www.kornferry.com/sa/insights/saudi-arabia-workforce-report-2025