The emergence of AI in HR, payroll automation, employee wellness platforms and tech investment have emerged as being among the 10 most important HR trends in the MENA region this year.
The trends emerged from a survey of sector professionals ahead of the 11th annual HR Tech MENA Summit.
Set to take place in Dubai from May 13-14, 2025, the summit promises to be a landmark event for HR and technology professionals.
MENA HR trends 2025
Under the theme “The Digital Handshake: Blending Tech and Touch,” the gathering will showcase the latest trends and innovations in HR technology across the Middle East and North Africa region.
Survey insights of the top 10 trends shaping the future of HR in the MENA region are:
- Data-driven decision making: By 2025, 65 per cent of HR professionals expect at least 51 per cent of their decisions to be data-driven, highlighting the growing importance of analytics in HR strategies
- AI integration: 70 per cent of respondents consider AI integration in HR processes as extremely important, signalling a shift towards more intelligent, automated systems
- Top HR tech trends: The survey identifies reporting and data analytics (32 per cent), AI-driven recruitment (30 per cent), and employee wellness platforms (21 per cent) as the most impactful HR technology trends
- Nationalisation support: 82 per cent of participants believe technology will play a crucial role in supporting nationalisation programs, addressing a key regional priority
- In-demand HR skills: Data analysis (28 per cent), AI and machine learning expertise (26 per cent), and change management (23 per cent) emerge as the most sought-after skills for HR professionals
- HR tech investments: 76 per cent of organisations plan to increase their HR technology spending, indicating a strong commitment to digital transformation
- AI-driven tools: 59 per cent of companies are likely to invest in AI-driven tools for recruitment and talent management
- Automation trends: Payroll processing (27 per cent), recruitment (24 per cent), and performance evaluations (22 per cent) are the top HR functions expected to be automated
- Learning culture: Gamified learning experiences (23 per cent), micro-learning opportunities (19 per cent), and AI-powered personalised learning paths (17 per cent) are seen as promising methods to support a learning culture
- Agentic AI applications: AI-driven recruitment and predictive workforce planning (both at 32 per cent) are considered the most promising applications of agentic AI in HR
The HR Tech MENA Summit brings together top C-level HR executives and decision makers from top GCC corporates, along with the leading HR solution providers.
Sidh NC, Director of QnA International and organiser of the HR Tech MENA Summit said: “We are encouraged by the findings of our survey, pleased to see technology being embraced by HR professionals.
“HR functions as a strategic partner to management, aligning human capital with organisational goals and ensuring the organisation can effectively achieve its mission and objectives underscoring the significance of the findings.”
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