MUSCAT – The number of workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries increased by approximately 9.4 million during the period 2021–2025, according to data from the Statistical Centre of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.
It shows that labour markets across GCC countries have recorded significant growth in recent years. The total workforce rose from around 27.7 million in 2021 to about 37.1 million in 2025, representing a growth rate of 34.1 percent over the period.
The average annual growth rate of the workforce between 2021 and 2025 stood at approximately 7.6 percent, reflecting steady and accelerating expansion in Gulf labour markets. This growth is attributed to development policies implemented by GCC states aimed at improving labour market efficiency, expanding the private sector’s role, increasing economic participation, and developing national skills in line with digital and technological transformation.
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The data also shows that expatriate workers recorded an average annual growth rate of 9.1 percent during the same period, compared to 4.4 percent for national workers.
The workforce structure in GCC countries continues to be dominated by male expatriate labour, which accounted for about 66.5 percent of the total workforce in 2025. This highlights ongoing efforts to increase citizen participation in the labour market and enhance productivity and professional skills among nationals.
The services sector accounted for the largest share of employment at 38.8 percent, followed by construction at 19.8 percent, and the domestic or household sector at 17.4 percent. The trade and industry sectors together accounted for approximately 22.3 percent, reflecting the structural composition of GCC economies and their reliance on services and construction activities.
GCC countries continued to record low unemployment rates compared to global averages. The unemployment rate stood at around 2.5 percent in 2025, compared to a global average of approximately 5.2 percent, according to estimates from the International Labour Organization. This reflects the effectiveness of employment policies, economic programs, and human capital development initiatives across the region.
These indicators confirm ongoing structural transformation in GCC labour markets, driven by economic diversification strategies and national programs aimed at enhancing participation, improving workforce efficiency, and supporting sustainable growth across productive and service sectors.
