Key Highlights of the Month
The foundit Insights Tracker (FIT) in the Middle east recorded a 7% annual increase in online recruitment activity, with the index rising from 131 in November 2023 to 139 in November 2024. Month-on-month, the index declined slightly from 141 in October 2024, reflecting seasonal fluctuations. Over the past three months, e-recruitment activity also saw marginal dips. However, robust growth across key industries highlights a promising trajectory as the region advances toward economic diversification and sustainability.
Month-on-Month (MoM) Hiring Trends
Industry Trends
- Education (+32%): Led growth with surging demand for online and academic learning.
- Engineering, Construction & Real Estate (+21%): Benefited from infrastructure expansions.
- Oil & Gas (+18%): Continued upward momentum supported by sustainability initiatives.
Declines
- Retail/Trade & Logistics (-8%): Impacted by evolving consumer behaviours.
- IT & Telecom (-1%): Experienced marginal contraction annually but grew 3% over the last month.
Other Trends
- Hospitality, Production/Manufacturing, and Healthcare (+12% to +10%): Maintained strong annual growth.
- BFSI (+4%): Showed modest growth, reflecting the rise of fintech in the region.
Regional Trends
- Oman (+10%): Led growth, supported by infrastructure and manufacturing projects.
- Bahrain (+9%) and Kuwait (+4%): Posted notable gains due to diversified hiring across sectors.
- Qatar (0%): Maintained stability in recruitment activity.
- Egypt (-2%) and KSA (-4%): Declined amidst economic recalibrations.
- UAE (-5%): Registered a drop, reflecting sector-specific adjustments.
Hiring Trends – Functional Area
Recruitment activity demonstrated a mixed performance across functional areas:
In Demand:
- HR & Admin (+58%): Surged due to organisational expansions.
- Software, Hardware, and Telecom (+28%): Reflected the adoption of advanced technology.
- Purchase/Logistics/Supply Chain (+25%): Gained from supply chain optimisations.
Facing Challenges:
- Finance & Accounting (-23%): Declined due to talent shortages and a shift to gig roles.
- Marketing & Communications (-20%): Experienced budget-related contractions.
- Customer Service (-19%): Declined due to automation and cost-streamlining efforts.
Regional Highlights
- KSA (+22%): Recorded significant annual growth, driven by digital transformation in industries like software and education.
- UAE (+50%): Demonstrated strong hiring in Engineering (+50%) and HR & Admin (+113%) driven by infrastructure projects.
- Hospitality & Travel in KSA and UAE (-7% and -5%): Saw declines due to seasonal challenges and market adjustments.
About the foundit Insights Tracker
The foundit Insights Tracker (FIT), formerly the Monster Employment Index, provides a comprehensive view of online recruitment trends in the Middle East. By analysing millions of job postings across key industries and functional areas, FIT offers invaluable insights for job seekers and recruiters alike. For more details, visit founditgulf.com.
