What is the state of nationalization in the Middle East? Are there effective localization policies? Do locals and expatriates enjoy the same pay scale and similar chances for promotion? The aim of the Bayt.com Nationalization in the GCC poll is to answer these questions and more. Key Highlights: •60.8% of professionals feel that local talent gets paid more than expatriate talent •57.7% of professionals feel that unemployment amongst local talent is low •35.42% of professionals feel that leading jobsites are the leading way to hire top national talent •58% of professionals feel that the localization policies are “very effective” or “effective to some extent.” Data for the Bayt.com Nationalization in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) poll was collected online in March 2015, polling 1,270 respondents from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

1. The Bayt.com
Nationalization
in the GCC Poll
April 2015

2. About Bayt.com Research
Research at Bayt.com offers insights and solutions to some of the Middle
East’s most pressing recruitment problems.
Our research staff work in collaboration with government bodies,
universities, and leading organizations. From tackling recruitment practices
to tracking changing demands in skillsets, Bayt.com research covers a wide
array of topics related to careers and work in the Middle East and North
Africa.
In line with Bayt.com’s mission to empower people with the tools and
information to lead a better life, all our research is available for free
on www.bayt.com/en/research-reports

3. About this Poll
Data for the Bayt.com Nationalization in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) poll was
collected online in March 2015, polling 1,270 respondents from the UAE, Saudi Arabia,
Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

4. Study Highlights

5. Split Views About
Unemployment Among
GCC Nationals
Although the majority of respondents in
the GCC believe that unemployment of
nationals in their country of residence is
low, considerable percentages do believe
that unemployment is high.
KSA respondents in particular believe so,
with 48% of them claiming that
unemployment of Saudi nationals is high,
followed by Qatar at 39.3% and Kuwait at
37%, and the UAE at 35.2%.

6. Career Trajectory Among GCC Nationals
National talent seems to
be employed across all
levels in organizations in
the GCC, with the
majority in their senior
management, according
to respondents. This
could be attributed to the
fact that 54% of
respondents believe that
local talent get promoted
faster.

7. Pay and Benefits Among GCC Nationals
The majority of respondents believe that local talent get better pay and benefits when
compared to expatriates, with a further quarter believing that pay depends on merit.
Only 1 in 10 believe that local talent gets paid less.

8. Hiring GCC Nationals
Hiring GCC nationals to 44.5% of
respondents is Easy , with the
best way to hire top national
talent cited by respondents being
through leading career sites .

9. Effectiveness of Localization Policies in the GCC
Localization policies in the GCC
appear to be effective, with 58%
of respondents saying so, and with
only 13.3% of respondents saying
that their companies do not plan
on hiring more local talent in the
next calendar year.

10. Main Findings About
Nationalization in the
United Arab Emirates
(UAE)

11. 1. Unemployment Rates Among Locals

12. 2. Specialized Jobs and Expatriate Talents

13. 3. Local Talent and Pay

14. 4. Career Trajectory of Local Talent

15. 5. Finding and Hiring Local Talent

16. 6. Percentage of Local Talent

17. 7. Average Seniority of National Talent

18. 8. Hiring Plans of National Talent

19. 9. Hiring Techniques of National Talent

20. 10. Improving the Hiring of National Talent

21. 11. Effectiveness of Localization Policies

22. Main Findings About
Nationalization in
Saudi Arabia

23. 1. Unemployment Rates Among Locals

24. 2. Specialized Jobs and Expatriate Talents

25. 3. Local Talent and Pay

26. 4. Career Trajectory of Local Talent

27. 5. Finding and Hiring Local Talent
29.14% (102)

28. 6. Percentage of Local Talent

29. 7. Average Seniority of National Talent

30. 8. Hiring Plans of National Talent

31. 9. Hiring Techniques of National Talent

32. 10. Improving the Hiring of National Talent

33. 11. Effectiveness of Localization Policies

34. Main Findings About
Nationalization in
Qatar

35. 1. Unemployment Rates Among Locals

36. 2. Specialized Jobs and Expatriate Talents

37. 3. Local Talent and Pay

38. 4. Career Trajectory of Local Talent

39. 5. Finding and Hiring Local Talent

40. 6. Percentage of Local Talent

41. 7. Average Seniority of National Talent

42. 8. Hiring Plans of National Talent

43. 9. Hiring Techniques of National Talent

44. 10. Improving the Hiring of National Talent

45. 11. Effectiveness of Localization Policies

46. Main Findings About
Nationalization in
Kuwait

47. 1. Unemployment Rates Among Locals

48. 2. Specialized Jobs and Expatriate Talents

49. 3. Local Talent and Pay

50. 4. Career Trajectory of Local Talent

51. 5. Finding and Hiring Local Talent

52. 6. Percentage of Local Talent

53. 7. Average Seniority of National Talent

54. 8. Hiring Plans of National Talent

55. 9. Hiring Techniques of National Talent

56. 10. Improving the Hiring of National Talent

57. 11. Effectiveness of Localization Policies

58. Summary of Poll

59. Main Findings
Data for the Bayt.com Nationalization in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) poll
was collected online in March 2015, polling 1,270 respondents from the UAE, Saudi
Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

61. Hiring Nationals?
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64. Some of Our Clients
Your Ideal Recruitment Partner

65. Email us at sales@bayt.com or visit us at www.bayt.com
Toll Free (UAE only)
Tel: 800BAYT (800.2298)
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Tel: +971 4 449 3100
Fax: +971 4 447 0332
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Fax: +971 2 631 4269
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Tel: +962 6 550 7445
Fax: +962 6 551 6926
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Tel.: +92 423 597
2051
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Tel: +974 4432 2632
Fax: +974 4432 2892
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Tel: +966 3 893 2500
Fax: +966 3 893 3811
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Tel: +966 2 667 7970
Fax: +966 2 667 7950
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Tel: +966 478 4736
Fax: +966 1 473 0872
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Tel: +965 2 297 4333
Fax: +965 2 297 4334
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Tel: +961 1 267888
Fax: +961 1 267888
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Tel: +973 3 992 6503
Fax: +966 3 896 8563
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Tel: +20 22 517 2891
Fax: +20 22 517 2891
Your Ideal Recruitment Partner

66. Thank You!
For more information,
please get in touch with
roba@bayt.net