Dubai is attracting 32% of new entrants aiming for careers in global financial services, even though it has been caught up in the US-led conflict with neighbouring Iran and has faced direct missile and drone attacks.
Dubai strengthens its appeal to new finance recruits
Despite nearby conflict, Dubai continues to pull in talent, as new recruits prioritise earnings, career opportunities, and international exposure in their decision-making.
I recently appeared on The Business Breakfast show on Dubai Eye to discuss these findings, taken from a global deVere Group survey of early-career and newly qualified professionals seeking roles in international financial advisory and wealth management.
They highlight a clear shift toward launching careers in cross-border finance from the outset, rather than first gaining experience in domestic markets.
Other jurisdictions represented include Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Mauritius, Hong Kong, Australia, and Malaysia.
As I was quoted by Khaleej Times, Investment International, IFA Magazine, and Wealth DFM Magazine, amongst others, around 63% of respondents say they want international client exposure from the very start, prioritising roles that span multiple jurisdictions. Dubai’s role as a hub linking Europe, Asia, and Africa continues to support that demand.
Global client exposure drives relocation decisions
Another 57% cite access to expatriate and globally mobile clients as a key driver behind their relocation plans. For new recruits, working with clients who hold assets and interests across borders is seen as essential to accelerating their career development.
Beginning a career in an international environment can fast-track professional growth. Dubai, in particular, provides immediate access to global clients, giving early-career professionals a significant advantage from the outset.
The strength of demand stands in contrast to an increasingly tense security backdrop. The UAE has been directly targeted during the conflict with Iran, with repeated missile and drone attacks across the region and elevated threat levels shaping the environment.
Even so, the poll suggests that geopolitical risk is not acting as a primary deterrent.
Only 9% of respondents say the conflict would prevent them from relocating, with most placing greater emphasis on long-term career opportunities.
Tax remains a central driver, with 66% of recruits identifying higher net income as a key motivation. Dubai’s zero-income-tax structure continues to set it apart from established European financial centres, and the ability to retain more earnings early in a career is a major factor influencing relocation decisions.
Tax benefits and career progression outweigh risk
Career progression is another key factor shaping decisions. Around 59% of respondents expect faster advancement in Dubai than in their home markets, driven by strong hiring demand and the continued expansion of international advisory firms serving globally mobile clients.
Financial professionals are making deliberate choices about where to start their careers.
Dubai offers higher net earnings, strong demand for talent, and access to international markets, factors that appear to outweigh geopolitical concerns.
The poll also points to Dubai’s growing visibility as a financial centre among new entrants. Around 48% of respondents report increased awareness of career opportunities in the UAE over the past 12 months, reflecting continued expansion among international advisory firms.
With nearly one in three new recruits targeting Dubai, the emirate is reinforcing its position as a key entry point into international financial services.
The steady inflow of early-career talent continues to strengthen its role as a connector of global clients and capital, even amid sustained regional tensions.
To read my previous blog post, click here.