The UAE has emerged as the most popular destination for professionals looking to migrate, according to a new study by networking site LinkedIn.  The global study, which tracked talent migration among the 300 million members on LinkedIn’s network, found that the UAE gained 1.3 per cent as a percentage of its total workforce in a 12-month period, topping a list of 20 nations.

Of this talent inflow, 75 per cent was from outside the Middle East, and more than 40 per cent reported a new role with a promotion and higher designation, a statement said.  India was the top destination from where most professionals moved to the UAE, followed by the UK, Pakistan, the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The industry sectors that attracted the most talent were management & leadership, engineering, sales accounting and lifestyle.

The UAE has attracted more professional talent as a percentage of its workforce than countries such as Canada, Brazil, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, India, Singapore and Australia, the statement said.

Ali Matar, head of Talent Solutions, LinkedIn MENA, said: “This latest study shows that two Middle Eastern nations, UAE and Saudi Arabia, have gained talent at 1.3 per cent and 0.9 per cent respectively. Talent inflows are from Europe, USA, the Subcontinent, and other Arab nations, showing that the Gulf states still retain their attractiveness for employment.”

Overall, the study found that the countries that topped the list in exporting talent to other countries were Spain, United Kingdom, France, the United States, Italy and Ireland.

The UAE is building up its talent base as it prepares to host Expo 2020 in Dubai. The six-month long event is expected to provide up to 277,000 new job opportunities in the market and boost the economy.  W-T-W.org will explore the reasons why and particularly opportunities for women.