Middle East Manned Security Services - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The Middle East manned security services market was valued at USD 2.63 billion in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD 2.83 billion in 2026 to reach USD 4.09 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 7.66% during the forecast period (2026-2031). Spiraling infrastructure outlays linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the UAE’s Etihad Rail, and Qatar’s high-frequency events pipeline continue to anchor spending, while tightening regulatory regimes mandate higher‐quality, licensed guard forces that command premium rates. Corporate and sovereign buyers are increasingly bundling physical guarding with AI-enabled video analytics, drone patrols, and biometric access to cut headcount without compromising coverage. Wage pressures triggered by new Emiratization and Saudization quotas and a 35% annual guard turnover rate are pushing providers toward integrated contracts that mix technology with smaller, better-paid teams. Intensifying cross-border investments by global consolidators such as Allied Universal underscore how scale and capital are now prerequisites for sustained profitability.

Middle East Manned Security Services Market Trends and Insights

Surging tourism-led event pipeline across GCC drives premium guarding demand

Saudi Arabia aims to attract 116 million visitors by 2030, anchored by mega-events such as the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and the FIFA World Cup 2034, all of which require layered human security backed by smart crowd analytics. Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 illustrated the volume and specialization needed, deploying 3,000 foreign riot police plus anti-drone systems. Regional organizers now demand multilingual guards trained in VIP escort and real-time incident reporting, creating a service premium that boosts revenue per guard hour. Providers able to field certified teams with stadium-specific training win repeat contracts as new venues come online. As Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha expand their conference portfolios, event guarding has matured from ad-hoc staffing to year-round, framework‐style agreements.

Mega-infrastructure projects expanding guarded footprints

Vision 2030’s USD 1 trillion construction docket, spanning NEOM’s 170-km linear city, Qiddiya’s entertainment cluster, and Etihad Rail’s 1,200-km network, requires constant perimeter protection, drone surveillance, and cyberwatch centers. Contractors like Wood PLC secured USD 920 million in regional awards during 2024, hiring 500 additional personnel to service remote hydrocarbons and renewables sites. Guarding scopes now bundle risk assessments, access control design, and long-term command-center operations, locking providers into multi-year revenue streams. The Middle East manned security services market thus sees higher contract values and lower churn, improving profitability for scale players.

Wage-inflation from new Emiratization and Saudization quotas

Saudi Arabia’s Nitaqat system now mandates 40% nationals in consulting and cybersecurity functions, while the UAE expands job-classification targets under Emiratization. Because Saudi nationals earn at least SAR 4,000 (USD 1,067) monthly to count toward quotas, guard payroll outlays rise 15-25% when firms rebalance headcount. Non-compliance triggers visa caps and tender bans, so providers pass higher labor costs to clients, eroding price competitiveness against technology alternatives.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Mandatory PSBD/DPS licensing raising service-quality premiums
• Growing preference for integrated guarding-plus-tech contracts among property developers
• High guard-turnover inflating recruitment/training costs

Segment Analysis

The commercial segment retained 45.12% of Middle East manned security services market share in 2025, leveraging sustained retail, hospitality, and mixed-use construction in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. High-rise developers favor integrated guarding-plus-tech packages with fewer on-site guards but round-the-clock video analytics. Government and institutional customers, though smaller today, are expanding fastest at an 8.42% CAGR as Riyadh and Doha front-load security for giga-projects and sovereign event hosting. Contract values in this tier are larger, multi-year, and include stringent localization clauses, raising barriers for foreign entrants. The Middle East manned security services market size for government work is therefore expected to double by 2031 among suppliers that demonstrate Saudization compliance and secure weapons permits.

Commercial contracts still outnumber government tenders, but pricing pressure is higher; developers award on total cost of ownership, rewarding guard firms that embed analytics to trim rosters by 20-30%. In contrast, ministries pay premiums for vetted, Arabic-speaking teams supported by secure command centers. Industrial buyers, led by the energy sector, require hazardous-environment certification, boosting average daily rates by up to 40% compared with retail guarding. Residential compounds in Dubai and Abu Dhabi adopt community-wide access apps that integrate with SIRA’s monitoring hub, shifting value toward tech-savvy providers.

Static guarding held 58.10% of the Middle East manned security services market in 2025, underpinned by building codes that require certified on-site personnel during all occupancy hours. The Middle East manned security services market size tied to static posts will continue to rise in absolute terms even as its share declines, because total guarded square footage expands across giga-projects. Event and crowd-control assignments, however, grow at an 8.74% CAGR, catalyzed by stadium projects, international expos, and a surge in cultural festivals that necessitate multi-lingual, crowd-analytics-trained personnel.

Mobile patrol services merge GPS dispatch with body-worn cameras, allowing one crew to cover up to eight low-risk sites during a shift. Cash-in-Transit remains niche but high margin; providers such as Brink’s integrate smart safes and real-time fleet telemetry to cut risk premiums. K9 explosive-detection units enjoy steady demand at airports and large construction sites that house imported explosive bolts. Across categories, technology convergence is relentless: 40% of new static contracts in Dubai now specify built-in thermal cameras and AI intrusion alerts, embedding hardware amortization into monthly guard fees.

The Middle East Manned Security Services Market Report is Segmented by End-User (Commercial, Industrial, Government and Institutional, and More), Service Type (Static Guarding, Mobile Patrol, and More), Guard Classification (Unarmed Guards and Armed Guards), Contract Duration (Long-Term Above 12 Months, and Short-term/Event-based), and Country. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

List of companies covered in this report:

• G4S PLC
• Transguard Group LLC
• Securitas AB
• Allied Universal Topco LLC
• Prosegur Compañía de Seguridad SA
• Arabian Security and Safety Services Co. Ltd.
• Hemaya Security Services Co.
• Spark Security Services LLC
• Vanguards Safety and Security Services Co.
• Jond Security Services Co.
• Royal Falcon Security Services LLC
• Sharaf Din Group of Companies LLC
• Control Risks Group Holdings Ltd.
• GardaWorld International Protective Services Inc.
• ICTS Europe S.A.
• Al-Majal G4S Security Services KSA Co.
• AMNCO (The Arab Security and Safety Services Co.)
• APSG Group Saudi Arabia
• Securiguard Middle East LLC
• Al Safeer Security Services LLC
• First Security Group LLC

Additional benefits of purchasing this report:

• Access to the market estimate sheet (Excel format)
• 3 months of analyst support