UAE jobseekers demand 30% higher salaries amid rising cost of living

Jobseekers in the UAE expect salaries up to 30 per cent higher than what employers are offering, a new report finds. This disparity is particularly noticeable in senior roles, where the gap is even wider.

- ‘Waheed Abbas

New employees are demanding higher salaries due to the rising cost of living in the country while employers now have a bigger talent pool, making it hard for job seekers to get large increases.

Job applicants typically ask for 15-30 per cent more than employers are willing to offer, according to Sharad Sindhwani, Naukrigulf's business and product head. The Naukrigulf Hiring Outlook Report showed that the demand for higher salaries comes amid the rising cost of living in the UAE, particularly for housing, education, and healthcare.