In 2026, layoffs have touched more than 135,000 tech employees worldwide as big names such as Amazon, Oracle, Meta and Microsoft shrink their workforces because of higher expenses and expanding AI investment.
Layoff tracking services indicate that roughly 135,000 tech roles have been eliminated across over 330 firms so far this year.
The reductions are not limited to tech; large employers in logistics, banking, manufacturing, advertising and retail have also announced staff cuts.
Major Layoffs in 2026
UPS said it will cut up to 30,000 operational jobs during 2026 as part of a restructuring plan, expecting most of the decrease to come from voluntary buyouts and non-replacement of departing workers.
Oracle reported a drop of about 21,000 employees in its fiscal year ending May 2026, with broader estimates suggesting the restructuring could affect as many as 30,000 positions.
Amazon disclosed plans in January to remove roughly 16,000 corporate jobs, while Meta and Microsoft also rolled out sizable workforce reductions.
Other firms such as Omnicom, Dow Chemical, Cisco, American Express and Uber have announced or are rumored to be considering thousands of cuts.
The table below outlines the reported figures.
| Company | Reported Job Reductions |
|---|---|
| UPS | Up to 30,000 |
| Oracle | Up to 30,000 estimated |
| Amazon | 16,000 |
| Omnicom | Around 15,000 |
| Meta | Around 8,000 |
| Microsoft | 4,800 |
| Dow Chemical | 4,500 |
| Cisco | Fewer than 4,000 |
| American Express | 3,840 |
| Uber | 3,300 |
| Renault | Up to 2,400 |
| Nike | 1,400 |
| General Motors | 1,300 |
| Disney | 1,000 |
| Citigroup | 1,000 |
These numbers cover announced layoffs, planned reductions, workforce declines and industry estimates, and do not all represent cuts already completed in 2026.
AI and Rising Costs Drive Restructuring
Artificial intelligence is becoming a key driver of corporate reshaping, with firms increasingly turning to automation to cut operating costs and boost efficiency.
Tech giants such as Oracle, Meta and Microsoft are pouring money into AI infrastructure while reassessing staffing needs.
Nonetheless, AI is not the sole cause of the cuts. Companies also cite higher operating expenses, softer demand, restructuring costs and profit-pressure as reasons.
For instance, UPS is trimming staff as Amazon deliveries decline, and Omnicom's restructuring follows its purchase of Interpublic Group.
Tech Layoffs Continue to Rise
Layoffs.fyi reports that about 135,000 technology workers have been let go in 2026, exceeding the roughly 122,600 job cuts recorded in 2025.
Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas says U.S. tech firms announced about 165,925 job cuts between January and September 2026, a 54% rise over the same period last year.
The discrepancy stems from the different tracking methods and employer groups each organization monitors.
These ongoing layoffs underline how firms are adjusting workforces as AI adoption grows and businesses look to lower costs.
