Investment, administration and marketing professionals have been the hardest hit by the downturn in the Gulf, according to findings from job board GulfTalent.com.

Demand for investment professionals, including private equity and portfolio management, slumped by 48% in the first half of the year on the same period last year, while admin skills demand fell by 47% and 46% for marketing skills.

However, demand for infrastructure-related functions soared by 142%, indicative of massive spending by GCC governments this year on road, railway and airport projects. Demand for audit professionals also jumped by 25%.