ABU DHABI, UAE — The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks first in terms of overall skill proficiency in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, a latest report has highlighted.
The UAE also hold the second-highest score globally for business skills, according to the latest Global Skills Report by Coursera.
Coursera’s report revealed that learners from the UAE demonstrated exceptional proficiency not only in business skills (scoring 99 percent, second globally) but also in communication (ranked first globally), leadership and management, and human resources skills (both ranked second globally).
Globally, the UAE secured the 32nd position. With over 800,000 Coursera learners, representing 7.98 percent of the country’s working-age population, the UAE showcased a strong commitment to learning and skills development.
The report highlighted that UAE learners, with a median age of 35, consisted of 42 percent women, and 45 percent of them pursued their learning on mobile devices. There has been a notable 22 percent enrollment growth rate, with learners increasingly investing in Professional Certificates to prepare for digital jobs. These efforts align with the UAE’s commitment to developing human capital under the ‘Principles of the 50’ framework, aimed at attracting talent, retaining specialists, and continuously building skills to drive future growth.
Other key reports on skill sets of UAE residents The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report 2022: This report ranked the UAE 16th globally for its "Skills for Innovation" index. This index measures the availability of skilled workers in a country, as well as the quality of education and training. The INSEAD Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2022: This report ranked the UAE 25th globally for its "Attracting Talent" index. This index measures the attractiveness of a country to foreign talent, based on factors such as the quality of life, the availability of jobs, and the ease of doing business. The Henley & Partners Global Talent Mobility Report 2023: This report ranked the UAE 11th globally for its "Ease of Finding a Job" index. This index measures the ease with which foreign nationals can find employment in a country, based on factors such as the availability of jobs, the level of discrimination, and the cost of living.
Leadership-related skills were found to be of great interest among UAE learners, who excelled in this area. Learners in the UAE displayed a strong emphasis on developing qualities such as people development, negotiation, and leadership, which could prove beneficial in facing future challenges posed by generative AI.
The report also identified data science as a crucial area for growth (24 percent), with UAE learners ranking highest in data visualization (64 percent). This proficiency aligns with the country’s ambitions to become a global technology and innovation powerhouse, emphasizing the need for continuous investments and skills development to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Overall, learners in the UAE exhibited high proficiency across various skill sets, with business skills being their standout strength. Noteworthy expertise was observed in cutting-edge fields such as security engineering (90 percent), software engineering (88 percent), and computer networking (97 percent).
The MENA region as a whole excelled in business skills (52 percent) among its 7.2 million Coursera students. However, the report suggests that regional authorities should allocate more resources to enhance technology (28 percent) and data science (25 percent) skills.
In the MENA region, UAE students led the way in business skills proficiency (99 percent), followed by students from Oman (97 percent), Bahrain (90 percent), Saudi Arabia (81 percent), and Qatar (78 percent).
Saudi Arabian learners showcased the highest level of technology skills (68 percent), but there is still room for improvement in this area. With a median age of 30, Saudi students identified data science as a growing area of interest.
Compared to other regions, learners in the MENA region exhibited a greater inclination towards investing in marketing skills like social media and advertising, as well as leadership skills such as people analysis, human learning (1.6x), and influencing.
MENA learners also displayed a strong interest in AI-related data science skills such as deep learning, artificial neural networks, computer vision, and technology skills such as computer graphic techniques, graphic design, and interactive design.
The Global Skills Report benchmarks business, technology, and data science as the three most in-demand skill areas driving employment in the digital economy. The report drew insights from data collected from 124 million learners across over 100 countries who used Coursera to develop new skills during the past year.
The percentile rankings were used to compare levels of expertise, with a score of 76 percent or higher considered “cutting-edge,” a score of 51 percent to 75 percent labeled as “competitive,” a score of 26 percent to 50 percent categorized as “emerging,” and a score of 25 percent or lower classified as “lagging.”
Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2023 highlights the importance of business, technology, and data science as the key skill areas driving employment in the digital economy. The report provides valuable insights based on data collected from 124 million learners across over 100 countries who utilized Coursera to acquire new skills within the past year.
With the UAE leading the MENA region in overall skill proficiency and excelling in business skills, the country is well-positioned to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. Continuous investments in human capital development and ongoing skills enhancement will be crucial to capitalize on the opportunities presented by emerging technologies and to maintain the UAE’s position as a global technology and innovation hub.
As the digital economy continues to shape the job landscape, the pursuit of business, technology, and data science skills becomes increasingly vital for individuals and economies alike. The MENA region, with its significant Coursera student population, demonstrates a strong foundation in business skills but could benefit from further investments in technology and data science to fuel future growth and competitiveness.
By equipping learners with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape and fostering a culture of continuous learning, the MENA region can drive innovation, create job opportunities, and contribute to the region’s sustainable development.
Coursera’s Global Skills Report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, and individuals seeking to understand the current skill landscape and adapt to the evolving demands of the digital economy. It underscores the importance of lifelong learning and the critical role of online platforms in enabling access to high-quality education and skill development opportunities on a global scale.
As the world embraces the digital era, upskilling and reskilling efforts are essential to ensure individuals and economies remain competitive. The insights provided by Coursera’s Global Skills Report serve as a roadmap for navigating the ever-changing skill requirements and unlocking the potential of individuals and nations in an increasingly digitalized world.