Emiratisation on track with 190,000 employed in private sector | The National

Companies with at least 50 employees must ensure Emiratis make up 10 per cent of their workforce by the end of 2026. Silvia Razgova / The NationalInfoTotal of 95 per cent of companies met targets in first half of this yearThe NationalJuly 20, 2026

More than 190,000 Emiratis are now employed in the private sector across the UAE, marking a significant milestone in the Emiratisation programme.

95 per cent of mandated companies met their Emiratisation targets in the first half of 2026, reflecting strong private-sector compliance.

The programme requires companies with at least 50 employees to maintain a minimum 9 per cent Emirati workforce, rising to 10 per cent by year-end.

The 190,000 Emirati workers are distributed across 32,000 companies, highlighting broad private-sector participation in building a competitive labour market.