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The RICS and Macdonald & Company
Middle East Rewards & Attitudes Survey 2013
Executive Summary and Key Findings
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2013 EXECUTIVE SUMMA RY
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ForewordDuba i is back! seems to be the overwhelming
theme at the moment with ambitious new
projects being announced by private sec tor and
government developers alike. Sheikh Mohammed
bin Rashid is again driving these initiatives rom
the very top with his visionary leadership. There is
a prevailing sense o optimism around the city as
inrastructure projects are completed, new hotels
are opened and visitor numbers escalate. The
memories o late 2008/early 2009 are receding.
Condence is the key going orward and there
is a genuine expectation rom long term Dubai
residents and those that have relocated here more
recently that 2013 is going to be a very good year.
We are noticing an increasing appetite rom
employers that wish to source senior candidates
and hire individuals or both replacement and
expansion purposes. The AldarSorouh merger is
on track which is positive or the Abu Dhabi market.
Government spending wil l remain a driving
orce behind the economies here i the oil price is
sustained above the expected level o $100/barrel.
The US economy is improving according to recent
employment statistics but the eect o the $85bn
worth o government spendi ng cuts may have a
slowing eect on growth. Europe and the UK seemto have avoided complete disaster with the euro
intact and global equities markets have refected
this in a very bullish Q1 this year.
There still remains a great enthusiasm rom
indiv iduals rom the UK and Europe to relocate
and work here in the region, with Dubai being the
choice destination, although strong Emiratisation
policies wi ll continue as there are many UAE
nationals still seeking employment.
The situation in the wider MENA region remains
challenging, with political instability, violence and
uncertainty driv ing many job seekers and their
amilies towards the sae havens o Dubai and A buDhabi. This uncertainty is also driving signicant
levels o cash into the banking system and direct
investments.
The most signicant nding o the sur vey is clear:
Condence has returned, coupled with the realistic
optimism rom lessons learnt over the past seven
years. Salaries have remained broadly in line with
2011 and average at AED36,293/month but more
people are receiving bonuses and base salary
increases, suggesting those that perorm well are
being rewarded or their achievements.
Ben Waddilove MRICS, Director, Macdonald &
Company (in association with Unlimited Resources
Recruitment Supply), March 2013
IntroductionNow in its sixth edition, the annual Macdonald
&Company Middle East Rewards and Attitudes
Survey is stil l the most comprehensive survey o
its type undertaken or the property sector in the
Middle East. The survey encompasses a broad
variety o par ticipants across the GCC, Levant
and North A rica. The new timing o the Survey,
which will now be run in January/February/March
every year, coincides with the other Surveys that
we conduct in the UK, Europe, and Asia so that
intelligent comparison and analysis can be made
between all Surveys.
We would like to thank all o the part icipantswho completed the Survey this year. There are
comprehensive statistics on current salaries,
bonuses and employment benets in addit ion to
inormation on broader employment issues and
attitudes which are very relevant to employers and
employees alike. The Executive Summary sets out
the key ndings. Further ana lysis and inormation
on this and the other global Surveys is available
rom Macdonald &Company.
For urther inormation or analysis please contact:
A comprehensive salary benchmarking service
tailor made to individual client s needs is also
available.
An on line statistics package or the 2013 survey
is available at a cost o USD $999. In addit ion to the
MENA region, Macdonald & Company undertake
salary surveys or UK, Asia Pacic, sub Saharan
Arica and Europe. Al l reports are
available at www.macdonaldandcompany.com
For the second year, the results have been collated
and analysed by BluSky Research (a research
trading name o BluSky Marketing Limited
www.bluskymarketing.com).
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KEY FINDINGS
Are anticipating an improvement in economic
activity (+17%*)
o respondents received a base salary increase
(+5%*)
is the average monthly salary or a Real Estate
proessional in the Middle East (-AED 1,672*)
Negative business sentiment has dropped by
7% to 5%. This is the most signicant movement
in positive business sentiment since 2010
secured on average a 11.6% increase in base
salary (-1.2%*)
49% (versus 41%*) o all respondents secured
an annual bonus o AED 68,831 (also -AED
7,600*)
4 *Versus 2011 survey4
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Those working in development, consultancy or
contractor provide the majority o responses
The majority (39%) o respondents presently
work in Dubai (+2%*)
Better salary continues to be the most important
job aspect
o respondents consider the GCC region
to be a preerred location or employment
opportunities and career progression (+7%*)
only 11% o repondents are seriously
considering returning to their country o origin
are airly or very satised with their current
employment
4The RICS and Macdonald & Company Middle East Rewards & Attitudes Survey 2013 Results 55
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0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
5 yrs +3-4 yrs2-3 yrs1-2 yrs0-1 year
RESEARCH SAMPLE PROFILE
Response Rate Total
In its sixth year with 1,058 respondents,
the survey is stil l the most robust and
respected survey o its kind in the Middle
East.
Years Experience
How many years experience
do you have in your discipline?
The general level o experience o the
sample has reversed this year with less
senior respondents (44% with 16 years
plus experience, down rom 47% in 2011
and consistent with 2010).
Middle East Regional Experience
How long have you worked in the Middle
East Region?73% o the survey respondents have 5
or more years experience working in
the Middle East versus 65% last year.
While those with between 2 to 4 years
experience working in the Middle East
has dropped rom 24% to 15% in 2013.
2,083
9%
6%
8%
25%
24%
24%
23%
19%
18%
14%
17%
15% 1
7%
22%
29%
2010 2011 2012/13
1,033 1,041
1,439
1,058
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Over 21yrs16-20yrs11-15yrs5-10yrsUp to 4yrs
23%
23%
30%
29%
5%
6%
6% 1
0%
4% 5
%
14%
14%
15%
10%
73%
2010 2011 2012/13
5%
9%
65
%
56%
0
5,00
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
2012/132011201020092008
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7/14The RICS and Macdonald & Company Middle East Rewards & Attitudes Survey 2013 Results 7
Ethnicity
From which o these regions do you
originate (Ethn icity)?
Respondents who originate rom the
Middle East (Non GCC) now account or
22% o the total respondents (up rom 19%
last year), while those rom UK/Europe
remain one o the largest groups with 32%
(up rom 30%). Those who originated rom
Asia/ Far East have dropped rom 31% in
2011 to 27% this year.
Normal Place o Work
Where is your normal place o work?
Those who presently work in Dubai (39%,
up rom 37% in 2011) still represent the
majority o respondents to the survey.
Numbers working in Abu Dhabi have
declined down rom 28% in 2011 to 21%
this year. However those in Qatar (12%)
and Saudi Arabia (9%) are increasing in
number.
Employer Type
What is the main activ ity o the
organisation?Those working in development (31%,
up rom 23%), consultancy (30%, down
rom 38%) or contractor (18%, down rom
21%) continue to provide the majority
o responses (73% in total, down rom
82% in 2011) to this years salary survey.
Respondents rom the Government sector
have increased slight ly, up rom 6% in
2011 to 8% this year.
2010 2011 2012/13
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Other
Other Emirates
Kuwait
Egypt
Bahrain
Oman
Saudi Arabia
Qatar
Abu Dhabi
Dubai
2010 2011 2012/13
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
2010 2011 2012/13
39%
38%
30%
22%
21%
18%
24%
23%
31%
3%
3%3%
5%5%
5% 6
%8%
4%
1%2%
1%1% 1
%1%
6%7%7%
4%6%
5%
27%31%31%
4%4%
6%
3%3%3%
22%19%
15%
32%30%
31%
RESEARCH SAMPLE PROFILE
Consultancy Contractor Development Financial
Institution
FM Service
Provider
Government Occupier Education Non-prot
39%37%
43%
21%28%
25%
12%7%7%
9%6%
7%
3%2%2%
2%2%2%
2%2%
1%
2%2%2%
2%2%2%
7%8%
7%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
UK/Europe
Middle East (Non GCC)
GCC
Australasia
Asia/Far East
Americas
Africa/South Africa
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2011 NO. 2011 % 2012/13 NO. 2012/13 %
Academic 13 1% 6 1%
Ana lyst/ Research 23 2% 10 1%
Architect/Design 103 7% 79 8%
Business Development Management 65 5% 40 4%
CEO/MD/Head 77 5% 57 5%
CFO/Financial Director/Controller 39 3% 47 5%
Claims & Dispute Resolution 25 2% 15 1%
Construction Management 79 6% 66 6%
Corporate Property Consultancy 14 1% 8 1%
Development Management 43 3% 39 4%
Energy 23 2% 15 1%
Engineering Services Management 80 6% 45 4%
Environmental 14 1% 7 1%Facilities Management Consultant 21 1% 11 1%
Facilities Management In-house 20 1% 26 3%
Facilities Management Service Provider 30 2% 23 2%
Financial/Real Estate Analyst 33 2% 37 4%
Fund Management 7 0% 8 1%
General Practice 8 1% 11 1%
Health and Saety 38 3% 18 2%
Interior Design 14 1% 11 1%
Investment Brokerage/Agency 11 1% 3 0%
Landlord & Tenant 4 0% 7 1%
Landscape Architect 11 1% 7 1%
Oce Agent 4 0% 11 1%
Planner 27 2% 15 1%
Property Asset Management 23 2% 29 3%
Project Management 145 10% 112 11%Quantity Surveying 208 15% 78 8%
Residential Agent/Sales/Leasing 9 1% 15 1%
Residential Development 9 1% 11 1%
Retail Agent/Leasing 8 1% 14 1%
Urban Designer 13 1% 5 0%
Valuation 24 2% 20 2%
Other 123 9% 96 9%
RESEARCH SAMPLE PROFILE
Average Middle East Rea l Estate Salar y
(AED)
What is your current monthly basesalary? (excluding all benets such as
bonuses, car etc).
The average base salary o a Real Estate
proessional in the Middle East is AED
36,293 per month or marginally down
versus 2011 by AED 1,673 or 4.4%. The
slight decline in average monthly salar y
could be attributed to the 3% decline in
respondents with over 16 years industry
experience.AED 0
AED 5,000
AED 10,000
AED 15,000
AED 20,000
AED 25,000
AED 30,000
AED 35,000
AED 40,000
2012/1320112010
AED 38,352 AED 37,965 AED 36,293
AVERAGE MIDDLE EAST REAL ESTATE SALA RY & BONUSES
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AED 0
AED 10,000
AED 20,000
AED 30,000
AED 40,000
AED 50,000
AED 60,000
Over 21yrs16-20yrs11-15yrs5-10yrsUp to 4yrs
AED22,558
AED17,695
AED13,508
2010 2011 2012/13
AED28,326
AED24,976
AED23,928
AED35,560
AED33,582
AED33,364
AED44,625
AED40,839
AED40,526
AED50,463
AED57,049
AED51,400
Years Experience Average Salary (AED)
Salary at last review by years experience
within discipline
Those respondents with over 21 years
experience continue to earn the highest
average base monthly salary at AED
51.4K. However this is down rom AED
57.0K in 2011. Those respondents with up
to 4 years experience, have seen a drop
in average salary rom AED 17,695 to AED
13,508 in 2013.
Change to Salary at last review
What change i any was made to your
Monthly Base Salary at your last pay
review?
There has been an uplit in those
receiving an increase in their base salary
this year, with 35% receiving an increase
(versus 30% last year). 3% received a
salar y reduction (versus 5% last year),
while 46% experienced no change in
salar y (versus 50% last year).
Average Proper ty Salary Increase
I your salary was increased, please
indicate % increase?The average salary increase has declined
since 2011, down rom 12.8% to 11.6% in
2013. However, the % o respondents who
have secured an annual salary increase
has grown to 35% and is the highest level
in the last 3 years.
AVERAGE MIDDLE EAST REAL ESTATE SALA RY & BONUSES
2%
Up not disclosed (+1%)
12%
Up by 15% + (+5%)
9%
Up by 11-15% (+5%)
4%
Up by 6-10% (-4%)
8%
Up by
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Average Proper ty Salary Increase:
Region
I your salary was increased, please
indicate % increase?
An nual Bonuses Received (AED)
What was the approximate value o your
annual bonus (or bonuses) over the last 12
months?
49% o the survey respondents received
a bonus (up rom 41% in 2011), whi le 51%
received no bonus whatsoever (down
rom 59% last year).
Important Job Aspects
How important are each o the ollowing to
you in your job?Salary and responsibility continue to
be the most important actors when
it comes to job satisaction, ollowed
closely by career progression, job
security and management style within the
organisation.
3%
AED 200K Plus (=)
7%
AED 90K - AED 199.9K (+1%)
14%
AED 35K - AED 89.9K (+4%)
10%
AED 20K - AED 34.9K (+1%)
14%
Up to AED 19.9K (+2%)
51%
Nil (-8%)
81%82%
81%
77%
75%78%
75%73%74%
74%73%74%74%
71%73%
70%70%
68%
68%66%
64%61%
59%56%
42%38%
41%
39%38%38%
34%37%
33%23%
27%25%
2010 2011 2012/13
0% 20% 40% 60% 80 00%
Travel Opportuni ties
Latest Technology
Range o Clients
Location
Training/Personal Development
Range o Interesting Work
Working Environment
Management Style
Job Security
Career Progression
Responsibility
Salary
AVERAGE MIDDLE EAST REAL ESTATE SALA RY & BONUSES
80% 1
AVERAGE SA LA RY INCR EASE
Total 11.6
Dubai 11.8
Abu Dhabi 11.0
Qatar 10.5
Saudi Arabia 11.8
Oman 12.7
Bahrain 8.2
Egypt 8.4
Kuwait 20.0
Other 15.6
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Job Satisact ion
How satised overall are you with your
current job?
The majority o survey participants (75%,
down rom 76% in 2011) are airly or very
satised with their current employment.
19% say that they are not very satised
(down 18% rom last year).
Relocating to Abu Dhabi
I living in Du bai and commuting to Abu
Dhabi, how likely are you to consider
relocating there permanently now?
O those respondents who live and
commute to Abu Dhabi, 28% would
consider relocating there on a permanent
basis, up 2% rom 2011. However, 14%
stated they were unl ikely to permanently
move up rom 12% in 2011.
Relocating to India or Far East
Are you considering relocating to India or
the Far East due to increased economicactivity there?
55% o the survey respondents would at
least consider relocating to India or the
Far East due to the increased economic
activity there (up rom 53% last year).
6%
Not at all (-1%)
19%
Not very (+1%)
52%
Fairly (-1%)
23%
Very (=)
MARKET SENTIMENT
45%
Unlikely (-2%)
45%
Possible (+5%)
10%
Very likely (-3%)
7%
No due to increased
housing cost (-2%)
14%
Unlikely (+2%)
15%
Possible (-1%)
13%
Very likely (+1%)
51%
Not Applicable (=)
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Returning Home
Are you considering returning home
to the UK, Europe, US, Arica, Asia or
Austra lasia?
Only 11% o the survey respondents,
(down rom 15% in 2011) who are in a
posit ion to return to home, are serious ly
considering returning to their country o
origin.
GCC Preerred Location
Do you still consider the GCC region to
be a preerred location or?
48% o the survey respondents consider
the GCC region to be a preerred location
or nancia l reasons (down by 6% rom
last year).
Economic Activity ChangeIn your chosen proessional activ ity, do
you anticipate economic activity in the
next 12 months to increase, decrease or
remain unchanged?
Business sentiment or condence has
improved signicantly by 17%, with 57%
anticipating an improvement in economic
activity during 2013, versus 40% in 2011.
While negative business sentiment has
dropped by 7% to 5%. This is the most
signicant movement in positive business
sentiment since 2010
MARKET SENTIMENT
19%
Not Applicable (=)
34%
Unlikely (+4%)
36%
Possible (=)
11%
Very likely (-4%)
11%
Family reasons (-1%)
48%
Financial reasons (-6%)
41%
Employment opportunities
and career progression
(+7%)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Remain unchangedDecreaseIncrease
44%
40%
57
%
12%
12%
5%
44% 4
8%
38%
2010 2011 2012/13
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People make the difference.
We connect you to that difference.macdonaldandcompany.com
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www.macdonaldandcompany.com
Macdonald & Company is the leading proessional recruitment consultancy
or the real estate, built envi ronment, energy and environmental sectors.
Establ ished in 1994 and headquartered in the UK, we apply local knowledge
with true global connection through our oces in Asia-Pacic, the Middle
East and Arica. Our specialist teams act or every class o organisation
owning, occupying, nancing or advising on property, construction and
engineering developers, investors, institutions, unds, banks, consultancies
and contractors. We are the preerred recruitment partner o RICS the Royal
Institution o Chartered Surveyors. The Companys Energy & Environmental
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Macdonald & Company is a subsidiary o the London Stock Exchange quoted
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People make the dierence.
We connect you to that di erence.