New York, December 06, 2025
Global corporations including Verizon, Intel, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta have announced major layoffs in 2025, totaling over 100,000 jobs worldwide. Driven by AI transformation, cost pressures, and shifting market dynamics, these cuts affect tech, telecom, retail, energy, and finance sectors from the United States to Europe and Asia.
Global Layoff Scale and Key Companies
2025 has seen unprecedented workforce reductions at several industry giants. Verizon initiated the largest telecom cut with approximately 15,000 layoffs in November, responding to leadership changes and fierce competition from cable rivals offering cheaper plans. In technology, semiconductor leader Intel slashed about 24,000 positions globally, including over 4,000 in the U.S., primarily in Oregon, to restructure manufacturing amid financial challenges. Microsoft followed with a reduction of around 7,000 jobs focused on middle management and legacy divisions, underpinning a strategic shift toward AI, cloud, and gaming.
Retail and logistics also experienced major workforce contractions. Target eliminated roughly 1,800 corporate roles to streamline management layers amid flat sales, while United Parcel Service (UPS) cut a staggering 48,000 positions in the first nine months, reflecting automation and declining parcel volumes. Similarly, Amazon cut more than 10,000 roles globally, mainly in corporate and support areas.
Energy firms navigated volatile markets with significant layoffs. BP’s workforce reductions encompassed 4,700 employees and 3,000 contractors, representing about 5% of its staff, implementing a “simplify and focus” plan. ConocoPhillips announced up to 3,250 job cuts, equating to 25% of its global workforce, driven by cost-cutting imperatives. Automobile manufacturer Nissan is on track to cut 20,000 jobs by 2027, addressing a net loss and tariff impacts.
Other major cuts include Meta’s approximately 3,600 global layoffs concentrated in the U.S., Salesforce’s 2,000 roles trimmed as part of efficiency efforts, and IBM’s 2,700 reductions linked to AI and hybrid cloud transformations. Consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble plans to eliminate about 7,000 white-collar jobs over two fiscal years, emphasizing digital transformation.
U.S.-Specific Layoff Trends
The United States remains a core hub affected by these reductions. Microsoft alone affected an estimated 9,100 U.S. workers within its global 7,000 layoffs figure, reflecting timing and reporting variations. Intel’s domestic cuts similarly exceed 4,000. Amazon and Meta’s U.S. workforces are heavily impacted, with the biggest reductions concentrated in corporate units. Salesforce, Starbucks, and PwC U.S. also trimmed roles ranging from approximately 1,100 to 2,000 to realign operations.
Government and Public Sector Workforce Changes
Federal agency layoffs continue with an estimated 71,981 government employees affected in 2025, according to Layoffs.fyi, including “DOGE-related” cuts. Total federal departures reach approximately 182,528, encompassing multiple termination and resignation programs. These figures exclude individual firings and contractor layoffs but highlight ongoing public-sector workforce adjustments.
Selective Hiring Amid Broad Cuts
Despite widespread layoffs, strategic hiring persists, especially in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity. Leading technology firms like Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Google are increasing recruitment in AI research, cloud infrastructure, data science, and machine learning roles while reducing legacy or non-core personnel. Financial institutions such as BlackRock and PwC are supplementing workforce reductions with targeted increases in ESG, AI-powered analytics, and risk management.
Energy and automotive sectors are simultaneously reducing traditional roles while investing in energy transition initiatives, including renewables, electric vehicles, and digital operating models.
Context and Implications
The 2025 layoff wave is driven primarily by the rapid integration of artificial intelligence and automation disrupting traditional job roles. High inflation, rising interest rates, and slower economic growth impose additional cost-cutting pressures across industries. Companies are prioritizing leaner operations, particularly by trimming middle management and non-strategic corporate layers.
The impact is global but with a pronounced effect in the U.S., especially within the tech, retail, and finance sectors. Not all reductions are one-off restructurings; some represent longer-term efficiency drives that will shape workforce compositions in years to come.
Looking Ahead
These 2025 layoffs are largely viewed as precursors to broader strategic plans shaping 2026 budget cycles. Demand for AI and cloud expertise is expected to accelerate. Further adjustments in retail and logistics, including Target, UPS, and Amazon, are anticipated. Energy companies and automakers will likely deepen hiring focused on sustainability and digital transformation.
Business leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders should monitor these evolving workforce trends closely as companies balance technological advancement with operational efficiency in a rapidly changing global economy.