Unemployment in the UAE jumped to 4% in 2008, from 3.45% in 2007, according to figures from the Ministry of Economy.

An Abu Dhabi-based economic advisor told Emirates Business 24|7: “We have to consider the fact that some expatriates have left the country since the global financial crisis. This means the jobless rate among expatriates will not increase sharply.

“But the rate among UAE nationals could record a higher increase given the rapid growth in their number. However, this is not basically for economic reasons but due to the reluctance of nationals to join the private sector and their preference for the public sector.”