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RIYADH: Saudi telecommunication firm stc Group has been ranked the best workplace in the Kingdom, with energy giant Aramco placed second, a report by LinkedIn showed.

Boston Consulting Group was named the best workplace in the UAE, while aviation company Emirates garnered the second rank, according to a press statement. 

The report revealed that over one-third of companies across the lists in the Kingdom and the UAE are either major- or tech-focused companies. 

The high placing of the companies highlights their’ focus on helping employees build and secure long-term careers in a rapidly evolving work landscape, according to the business-centered social network.

“This year’s list underscores the diverse business landscape in the region, with 14 different industries showing up on the top companies lists in the UAE and ����ֱ��,” said Nabila Rahhal, editor at LinkedIn. 

She added: “From technology and finance to retail and energy, the rankings highlight the breadth of opportunities available and the region’s continued evolution as a thriving hub for innovation, investment, and talent development.”

Affirming the dominance of stc in the Saudi market, in February the company revealed that its net profit for 2024 reached SR24.7 billion ($6.58 billion), representing a rise of 86 percent compared to 2023. 

In January, stc Group’s financial arm, STC Bank, received a non-objection certificate from the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, to commence operations in the Kingdom.

Saudi Aramco posted a net profit of SR398.42 billion in 2024 despite challenging market conditions, including lower prices for crude oil, refined products, and chemicals. 

To prepare the list of best workplaces, LinkedIn uses eight key factors to determine the ranking, which include ability to advance, skills growth, company stability, as well as external opportunity. 

Additional factors used to determine the rankings are company affinity, gender diversity, and educational background, as well as employee presence in the country. 

Best workplaces in ����ֱ�� 

Following stc and Aramco, IT services firm EY secured the third spot, while motor vehicle manufacturer Ceer claimed fourth place on the list.

Consulting firm Elm Co. grabbed the fifth position, followed by manufacturing company Procter and Gamble in sixth and IBM in seventh. 

Professional services firm PwC secured eighth place on the list, while Riyad Bank placed ninth.

In the healthcare sector, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and Bupa were ranked 10th and 11th on the list, prompting Linkedin to write: “Making a comeback after a year’s absence, the healthcare industry in ����ֱ�� is back on the map.”

The 12th spot was secured by MATARAT Holding, followed by media giant Saudi Research and Media Group, which placed 13th. 

Telecommunications firm Mobily and automation machinery manufacturer Siemens grabbed the 14th and 15th positions.

UAE outlook

In the UAE, business consulting firm McKinsey was named third on the list, followed by Abu Dhabi Investment giant Mubadala in the fourth spot. 

Business consultant Kearney grabbed the fifth place, while Mastercard and retail entity Alshaya Group secured the sixth and seventh spots, respectively. 

Visa was eighth on the list, while retail giant Majid Al Futtaim and energy primary Total Energies placed ninth and tenth place, respectively. 

From the manufacturing sector, Procter & Gamble took 11th place, followed by consulting firms Thales, Oracle, in the 12th and 13th spot respectively, with EY in 14th.

HSBC was named the 15th best place to work in the UAE. 

Key trends

LinkedIn added that nine of the top 15 companies in ����ֱ�� are headquartered in the Kingdom, including stc, Saudi Aramco, Riyad Bank, and SRMG.

In contrast, multinational firms comprise 11 of the top 15 companies in the UAE, including McKinsey, Procter & Gamble, and HSBC. 

The report added that regional professionals are eyeing new roles, with 76 percent from the UAE and 73 percent from the Kingdom actively exploring emerging positions this year. 

LinkedIn also highlighted that professionals in these countries are placing equal importance on work-life balance and career growth, alongside salary increases.