United Arab Emirates Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
United Arab Emirates's industry employment was 30.59% in 2025, ranked 163rd globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's industry employment stood at 30.59% in 2025, a rise of +0.02% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 30.50% by 2026. United Arab Emirates ranked 163rd globally.
The United Arab Emirates’ share of employment in industry fell from a high of 43.24 percent in 1997 to a low of 28.94 percent in 2020, reflecting a long‑term shift away from manufacturing and construction toward services and trade. Over the 35‑year span covered by the World Bank series, the indicator has declined steadily, reaching 30.59 percent in 2025, which places the UAE at rank 163 globally and aligns it closely with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 30.60 percent and Hungary’s 30.53 percent. The all‑time trough in 2020 coincided with the pandemic‑induced slowdown in industrial output, while the earlier peak occurred during a period of rapid infrastructure expansion in the late 1990s. Despite the recent modest rebound, the share of industrial employment remains well below its 1990s level, suggesting that further diversification of the economy or targeted incentives for manufacturing will be needed to reverse the downward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 30.35% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 30.42% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 30.50% | - | - |
| 2025 | 30.59% | +0.02% | #163 |
| 2024 | 30.58% | −0.20% | #163 |
| 2023 | 30.78% | +0.03% | #166 |
| 2022 | 30.75% | −0.13% | #172 |
| 2021 | 30.88% | +1.93% | #173 |
| 2020 | 28.94% | −1.05% | #165 |
| 2019 | 29.99% | −0.22% | #168 |
| 2018 | 30.21% | −0.28% | #169 |
| 2017 | 30.49% | −0.46% | #172 |
| 2016 | 30.95% | −0.16% | #173 |
| 2015 | 31.11% | +0.26% | #174 |
| 2014 | 30.85% | −0.03% | #175 |
| 2013 | 30.88% | −0.16% | #176 |
| 2012 | 31.04% | −0.42% | #175 |
| 2011 | 31.46% | −0.35% | #175 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Arab Emirates matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's industry employment was 30.59% in 2025. Ranked 163rd globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's industry employment peaked at 43.24% in 1997.
The lowest industry employment in United Arab Emirates was 28.94% in 2020.
United Arab Emirates ranks 163rd globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Arab Emirates's industry employment is projected to reach 30.50% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of United Arab Emirates in 2025 was 30.59%. This ranks 163rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_industry-employment,
title = {United Arab Emirates Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}