United Arab Emirates Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
United Arab Emirates's services employment was 67.97% in 2025, ranked 115th globally. This represents a 0.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's services employment stood at 67.97% in 2025, a rise of +0.02% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 68.13% by 2026. United Arab Emirates ranked 115th globally.
The United Arab Emirates’ share of employment in services rose from a trough of 50.76 percent in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 69.00 percent in 2020, reflecting a sustained structural shift toward a post‑oil economy over the 35‑year span. By 2025 the services‑employment ratio stood at 67.97 percent, ranking 115th globally, and remains just above peers such as Cabo Verde (67.69 percent) and Cuba (67.56 percent) while trailing Belize (68.52 percent) and Kazakhstan (68.79 percent). The modest decline from the 2020 high suggests that the rapid expansion of tourism, finance and logistics that drove the earlier surge has begun to plateau, even as the UAE continues to diversify away from hydrocarbons. Future movements will likely hinge on the pace of digital transformation and the ability to attract high‑skill labor, factors that could either reinforce the current level or revive upward momentum in services employment.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 68.38% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 68.25% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 68.13% | - | - |
| 2025 | 67.97% | +0.02% | #115 |
| 2024 | 67.94% | +0.24% | #115 |
| 2023 | 67.70% | +0.01% | #116 |
| 2022 | 67.69% | +0.21% | #120 |
| 2021 | 67.47% | −1.53% | #122 |
| 2020 | 69.00% | +1.58% | #127 |
| 2019 | 67.42% | +0.27% | #121 |
| 2018 | 67.15% | +0.33% | #124 |
| 2017 | 66.83% | +0.50% | #121 |
| 2016 | 66.33% | +0.22% | #122 |
| 2015 | 66.11% | −0.17% | #122 |
| 2014 | 66.27% | +0.09% | #123 |
| 2013 | 66.18% | +0.22% | #123 |
| 2012 | 65.96% | +0.46% | #123 |
| 2011 | 65.50% | +0.37% | #122 |
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 services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's services employment was 67.97% in 2025. Ranked 115th globally. This represents a 0.0% increase from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's services employment peaked at 69.00% in 2020.
The lowest services employment in United Arab Emirates was 50.76% in 1991.
United Arab Emirates ranks 115th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Arab Emirates's services employment is projected to reach 68.13% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of United Arab Emirates in 2025 was 67.97%. This ranks 115th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_services-employment,
title = {United Arab Emirates Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}