As labour markets across the Arab region undergo rapid transformation, understanding evolving skills demands has become more critical than ever. In response, ESCWA and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have recently released a new regional research brief titled “Skills dynamics in the Arab region: New evidence from online vacancy data”. The brief examines evolving labour market demands in selected Arab countries using online job vacancy data, providing fresh evidence to inform skills development and employment policies amid structural change in the region.
Drawing on data from the ESCWA Skills Monitor and the ILO skills taxonomy, the brief analyses skills dynamics in Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The findings point to a growing demand for cognitive and socioemotional skills, often required in combination, alongside a declining demand for manual skills.
The brief also highlights shifts in the three countries towards ICT- and service-oriented roles, underscoring emerging growth opportunities in the private sector, and the importance of targeted training and education policies to address skills mismatches and better align workforce capabilities with labour market needs.
