Technology layoffs in 2026 surpass 2025 totals

Global technology layoffs in 2026 have already surpassed the total number of job losses recorded in 2025. As of August 2026, approximately 125,759 employees across 264 companies have been laid off, exceeding the 2025 full-year total of 122,606.

The United States accounts for the vast majority of these cuts, with approximately 24,600 layoffs recorded early in the year. Amazon has been a major contributor to these figures, announcing plans to eliminate roughly 16,000 corporate positions to redirect resources toward artificial intelligence investment. Seattle, San Francisco, and Menlo Park have emerged as the most heavily affected tech hubs.

Industry analysts suggest that companies are increasingly restructuring workforces around artificial intelligence, particularly impacting roles adjacent to automatable functions such as support and content moderation. Beyond the United States, Sweden has also seen significant job cuts, ranking second globally in recorded losses.