A new survey conducted by the leading job portal in the Middle East, in collaboration with Yojov, a leading market research organization, reveals that 55% of professionals in the region are satisfied with their working hours, followed by workplace culture (50%) and work-life balance (46%). The primary goal of this survey, titled "Best Industries to Work in the Middle East and North Africa 2023," is to help professionals understand current satisfaction levels in specific sectors and make informed decisions aligned with their future career paths.
Most Popular Sectors
Several industries across the Middle East and North Africa are expected to experience significant growth, driven by post-pandemic recovery trends, creating new employment opportunities for job seekers. The survey indicates that banking/finance/accounting (9%), advertising/marketing/public relations, and business consulting/business management (7% each) are the most attractive sectors for job seekers.
Commenting on the findings, Ula Hadad, Human Resources Administrative Manager at the platform, said: "This survey enables employers to develop and implement hiring strategies that meet job seekers' expectations, thereby strengthening their competitive edge. The fundamental purpose of this research is to provide job seekers with valuable insights to make wise choices in today’s dynamic job market."
Changing Career Sectors
The survey also found that 24% of professionals in the region have changed their industry at least once in the past two years. The main reasons cited include better pay (41%), improved career advancement opportunities (29%), and lack of recognition (28%).
Meanwhile, nearly 6 out of 10 professionals (58%) are considering switching sectors in the coming months, with better compensation (63%) and enhanced career progression (38%) being the top motivators. Oil/gas/petrochemicals and information technology/internet/e-commerce (9% each) emerged as the most appealing sectors for those contemplating a change.
Looking ahead, respondents anticipate that the information technology/internet/e-commerce sector will see the highest growth rate over the next year (28%).
Most Attractive Sectors
33% of professionals believe the oil/gas/petrochemicals sector offers the highest salaries (including non-monetary benefits) in their country of residence, followed closely by banking/finance/accounting, according to about one in five respondents.
On the other hand, education/academia (23%), healthcare/medical services (22%), and banking/finance/accounting (20%) were identified as the most attractive sectors for women. Meanwhile, oil/gas/petrochemicals (19%), banking/finance/accounting, and information technology/internet/e-commerce (17% each) were the top choices for local talent.
Additionally, several early-career respondents noted that banking/finance/accounting and military/security/police (16% each) are the most common employers of recent graduates.
From the perspective of Zafar Shah, Research Director at Yojov: "This survey highlights evolving professional needs and motivations, enabling employers to identify key focus areas in recruitment. It uncovers critical factors such as work-life balance, job satisfaction, salary expectations, and career growth potential. The data empowers recruitment experts to recognize what truly motivates professionals and integrate these insights into hiring processes."
Data for the survey on "Best Industries to Work in the Middle East and North Africa" was collected online between January 18 and February 3, 2023, with participation from 1,764 individuals across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, and other countries.
