The gulf job market is set to grow at an average rate of 9% this year, according to research from online recruitment portal GulfTalent.

The research was based on a survey of more than 1,100 CEOs and managers from firms across the Gulf Cooperation Council. It showed that the biggest driver of employment growth for the year is the recent rise in oil prices which has led to an increase in business optimism.

In the UAE, 13% of firms are reporting an increase in personnel, driven by a recovering oil sector in Abu Dhabi as well as growth in Dubai's non-oil sector, including the impact of infrastructure spending for universal exposition Expo 2020.

Kuwait is set to have one of the fastest rates of job creation, with 18% of firms increasing headcount. Kuwait has the region's highest dependence on the oil & gas sector and is seeing an increase in hiring due to higher oil prices. 

Meanwhile, the Saudi job market is shrinking this year, with 2% of firms reporting a reduction in headcount, mainly due to the government's enforcement of strict “Saudisation” (Saudi nationalisation) policies. The research stated that while the policy has boosted employment opportunities for Saudis, some firms are seeking to achieve mandatory Saudisation ratios by simply reducing their expatriate workers. Overall, more expats are leaving the job market than the Saudis being hired.

Jobs growth in Oman is at 2% as limited oil reserves have curbed the upside of oil price recovery, while strict Omanisation policies, similar to Saudi Arabia, are also limiting companies' ability to hire expatriates.

Among sectors in the region, the oil and gas sector is set to see the most hiring with 39% of firms expanding their workforce. This was followed by healthcare and banking.