Expats are demanding 20-30% more to work in Abu Dhabi or Qatar

An increasing number of expats have slowly come to realise that not all the best financial services jobs are in Dubai, and more and more are considering options in the likes of Abu Dhabi and Qatar. However, they're also demanding more money.

It's now possible to earn 20-30% more working in a financial services position in Abu Dhabi or Qatar than it is for an equivalent job in Dubai, suggests James Sayer, recruiter Robert Half's director of Central Europe and the Middle East.

He told Bloomberg: “When it comes to companies and doing business in the region, Dubai is still the preferred option because people want to live here and the infrastructure is great. People are demanding about 20%o 30% more money to live in Abu Dhabi and Qatar than in Dubai because the cost of living in those areas is higher than in Dubai. Rents in Dubai have fallen significantly, so it’s benefiting from that immensely.”

Part of the reason for the high rents in these countries is, of course, down to a relative lack of supply. While Dubai's sky-high rents plummeted as demand waned in the wake of the financial crisis, the infrastructure in Qatar and Abu Dhabi still has a lot of catching up to do.

Likewise, the vast majority of financial services roles – particularly those for available to expats – remain in Dubai. When making a move that both restricts your career opportunities and offers a less enjoyable lifestyle, it's understandable that many would demand a premium.