Global tech sector sees nearly 196,000 layoffs in 2026

The global technology sector has experienced significant workforce reductions in 2026, with nearly 196,000 professionals laid off by late October. A peak in job losses occurred in May, when approximately 29,000 positions were eliminated in a single month.

Major companies driving these reductions include chipmaker Intel, which reduced its workforce by 15% (roughly 15,000 jobs), and Cisco, which cut over 4,000 roles. Oracle reported a year-over-year headcount decline of approximately 21,000 employees, citing the high costs associated with expanding AI cloud infrastructure. Other major firms, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, have also implemented rolling or strategic layoffs to prioritize investments in artificial intelligence and cloud ecosystems.

Recent waves of cuts in October have also impacted Meta, eBay, and Netflix. Industry trends suggest a massive reallocation of corporate capital toward AI infrastructure is a primary driver behind these sustained workforce reductions.