European industrial sectors face mass layoffs in automotive and furniture industries

European industrial sectors are facing significant workforce reductions. In the automotive industry, European companies have announced the loss of 104,000 jobs over the last two years. In Poland, the sector saw 1,500 job losses in 2024, with projections of 2,800 losses in 2025. This trend is driven by the crisis in the internal combustion engine market and the transition to electromobility, impacting Polish suppliers who depend on major Western manufacturers like Volkswagen.

Simultaneously, the furniture industry is experiencing a downturn. IKEA has announced global job cuts exceeding 1,500 positions this year. In Poland, approximately 400 manufacturing employees will lose their jobs, specifically affecting plants in Goleniów and Wielbark. In Sweden, the cuts are primarily targeting administrative and headquarters roles, with significant impacts in Älmhult and Malmö. The Ingka Group and Inter IKEA have both confirmed large-scale reductions as part of ongoing restructuring.