Survey: Worker satisfaction and confidence has declined in the Middle East
Overall satisfaction and confidence for workers in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region has declined, as a gap grows between the adoption of AI and the readiness of workers to use it. That is according to a survey from ManpowerGroup that examines employee sentiment around the world.
The overall Global Talent Barometer score for 2026 was 67%, declining somewhat since the previous year. This decline follows the introduction of new measures regarding proficiency in AI. Meanwhile, stress may be growing, with 7 in 10 workers saying they recently experienced burnout.
The survey shows AI is increasingly part of everyday work across the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region. More than half of workers (52%) now regularly use AI, yet new questions on AI proficiency lowered confidence somewhat.
At the same time, over half of workers reported no recent training (56%), and 51% said they had no mentorship opportunities, even as concerns about AI‑driven job displacement rises.
The study, which surveyed 3,627 workers, highlights a significant lack of support for employees navigating this digital transition. Approximately 56% of workers reported they have not received any recent training, and 51% noted a total lack of mentorship opportunities.
This lack of guidance coincides with rising fears about job security. One third of employees expect they might lose their jobs soon, and 47% worry that automation could replace their specific roles within two years.
Satisfaction in the workplace
The survey results on the topic of workplace satisfaction show mixed feelings. The general job satisfaction index sits at 60%, a small increase from the previous year, though fewer were optimistic enough to say they are satisfied enough to not voluntarily leave in the next six months.
Most workers, specifically 62%, intend to stay with their current employers, and 85% remain confident in their existing skills. However, many are still looking for better opportunities, with 64% of the workforce actively searching for new jobs. The technology sector faces a particular challenge with retention, as only 52% of workers in that field plan to remain in their current roles.
Overall confidence
In the Global Talent Barometer, the regional confidence index held steady at 73%, but this overall figure masks growing concerns about technical skills. For example, a smaller percentage said they have access to the latest tech available to their industry.
While 85% of employees still feel they have the specific skills needed for their current roles, their comfort with new tools is dropping. This is particularly true in the consumer goods and services industry, where confidence in using modern technology fell by 14 points to just 56%. The data shows that as artificial intelligence becomes more common, the perceived gap in technical training is starting to weigh on the workforce.
Health and wellness
Employee health also remains a major concern across the region. The data shows that half of workers experience high stress every day. In addition to that, 71% of respondents said they have dealt with burnout recently.
The primary drivers for this exhaustion are persistent stress and heavy workloads. While the overall well-being index rose slightly to 66%, certain groups are struggling more than others. For example, young women in the Gen Z age group reported daily stress levels of 57%, which is significantly higher than the 33% reported by older women from the Baby Boomer generation.
“The Global Talent Barometer highlights that transformation cannot come at the expense of well-being,” said François Lançon, regional president for Asia Pacific and Middle East at ManpowerGroup.
“With burnout still high and more than half of workers reporting no recent training or mentorship, organizations need to balance performance goals with initiatives that strengthen resilience and support continuous learning. Using these insights, leaders can shape strategies that strengthen engagement and support.”
