February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

Nafis (an Arabic word meaning “compete”) is a federal UAE program launched in September 2021 to support and incentivize the employment of Emirati citizens in the private sector. The program provides a suite of financial benefits to both Emirati job seekers and private-sector employers, including salary top-ups, pension contributions, child allowances, and unemployment insurance. Nafis serves as the primary implementation mechanism for the UAE’s broader Emiratisation policy objectives.

UAE Context

Nafis was introduced as part of the Projects of the 50, a series of national development initiatives marking the UAE’s 50th anniversary. The program addresses a structural challenge in the UAE labor market: the preference of many Emirati nationals for public-sector employment due to higher salaries, shorter working hours, and greater job security. By bridging the compensation gap and providing additional benefits, Nafis makes private-sector careers financially competitive for Emiratis. The program is administered by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and funded through a dedicated federal budget allocation backed by AED 24 billion over five years.

Key Data

  • Launched: September 2021
  • Funding: AED 24 billion allocated over five years
  • Salary support: Monthly top-up for Emiratis earning below a certain threshold in private-sector roles
  • Child allowance: AED 800 per child per month for qualifying employees
  • Target: Support 75,000 Emiratis entering private-sector employment over five years
  • Pension support: Government contribution to Emirati private-sector employees’ pension funds

Significance for Vision 2031

Nafis is the operational engine driving the Vision 2031 objective of a productive, competitive Emirati workforce. By removing financial disincentives and providing career development support, the program accelerates the structural shift of Emirati talent from government to private-sector employment. This transition is essential for building a sustainable, diversified economy where nationals are active participants in, and leaders of, the private sector that will drive future economic growth.

  • Emiratisation - The broader workforce nationalization policy Nafis supports
  • Vision 2031 - The national framework setting Emirati employment targets
  • Non-Oil GDP - The economic diversification that requires expanded private-sector Emirati participation