The number of online job listings in Saudi Arabia for software, hardware and telecom specialists increased by 58 per cent in May compared to the same month last year, while hiring in the oil and gas sector continues to decrease, said an industry expert.

“Saudi Arabia remains a strong market with increased growth across various sectors, as shown by our latest Monster Employment Index Middle East,” said Sanjay Modi, managing director, Monster.com (India, Middle East, South East Asia and Hong Kong), which publishes the Monster Employment Index is a monthly gauge of online job posting activity in Middle East.

The index is based on a real-time review of tens of thousands of employer job opportunities culled from a large representative selection of career Web sites and online job listings.

“Again, Saudi Arabia is the second most active market in the region during the month of May 2015, with a 32 per cent increase in online job listings, closely following Egypt which continues to be the leader with 33 per cent increase in online job listings as compared to last year,” explained Modi.

“The creative industry continues to lead the growth momentum, with an increase in demand for online jobs of 57 per cent compared to last year. However, month on month, the growth momentum has slowed down from the impressive 77 per cent in April 2015. The two other industries which are hiring are IT & Telecom and Retail / Trade & Logistics, with a 41 per cent year on year and 36 per cent year on year, respectively.

“Occupation wise, software, hardware and telecoms specialists were the most sought after position during May 2015, closely followed by creative specialists (marketing / communications) with a 51 per cent increase from the same period last year,” added Modi.

“Kuwait is the only country in the region with a 1 per cent decrease in online job listings activity for the month of May 2015, as compared to the same period last year,” continued Modi.

Saudi highlights:

•    Monster Employment Index Saudi Arabia grew 32 percent on the year; same as in April 2015.

•    Advertising, market research, public relations, media and entertainment lead all industry groups on the year.

•    Annual growth rate plunges in oil and gas sector yet again.

•    Among occupation groups, software, hardware, telecom registers the steepest growth in demand, year-on-year.


 Egypt (up 33 percent) supplanted Saudi Arabia (up 32 percent) this month to lead all countries by the way of long term-growth. It is notable that the long-term growth momentum slowed in both the countries between April and May 2015.

Online recruitment market continues to grow in UAE (up five percent) as well but at a slower pace on the year. The three-month growth turned is positive even this month. Clearly, there is increased hiring in the last two of months. – TradeArabia News Service