Situation in the Middle East

Question

Hi All,

Is anyone aware of lay-offs happening in the Middle East? I'm aware one firm in Dubai has cut some of its junior headcount for its strategy team, so I was wondering if other firms are following suit?

Additionally if anyone has some general insight or clarity regarding the overall job market in the GCC and whether potentially other firms are picking up hiring, that would also help.

Thanks

Answer 1

Hello there, I left very recently the McKinsey Dubai office. Hiring is still happening, especially in the Riyadh and Doha offices.

Hiring is lower than after Covid (2021 and 2022) but still higher than 2024 and 2025 levels today, as firms are expecting a recovery when geopolitical tensions ease.

I would not hesitate to apply. If hiring is slowed the worst that can happen is that your interviews are delayed, but you will not be rejected because of it.

Happy to chat in more detail about the ME situation

Answer 2

It is no secret that there are significant recent layoffs across the consulting spectrum in the GCC region including MBB and tier 2.

However, certain firms (especially boutique, independent and even one MBB firm) are initiating the hiring process and reaching out to candidates selectively.

Happy to share more, feel free to reach out.

Answer 3

As far as I’m aware, mainly based on what I’m hearing from BCG and McKinsey, the situation is not particularly positive at the moment. The market across the GCC is still cautious, with very limited hiring.

My sense is that conditions are unlikely to improve before the next year.

Best,
Franco

Answer 4

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

First of all, apart from perhaps a brief period during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has really never been a complete hiring freeze, in any region or country.
Moreover, at the same time, there has really never been a time when consulting firms have not laid off employees, because it is virtually impossible to keep the balance considering the strong hiring.
Lastly, this means for you that if you have a clear rationale for a GCC office - it's very hard without any proper ties to the region - I would strongly advise you to polish your application files to perfection, secure a strong referral, apply, and see about the result.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files, for your upcoming pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 5

While the GCC consulting market remains large, firms are quietly trimming headcount and raising the bar. Dubai offices in particular over-hired in recent years and are now adjusting to softer utilization rates by letting go of junior talent through performance reviews.

The overall market has not stalled, but the growth center has shifted dramatically to Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is absorbing most regional hiring due to ongoing Vision 2030 projects, while Dubai focuses on specialized execution over generalist junior roles.

If you want to land a role in the region right now, target Riyadh offices or focus on high-demand sectors like energy, AI, and sovereign wealth. Generalist strategy hiring in Dubai is currently tight.