According to data from Layoffs.fyi (a website specializing in tracking and compiling data on job losses, mainly in the global technology industry), more than 22,000 technology workers lost their jobs in January 2026 alone, the highest level since October 2025.
Compared to previous years, the scale and pace of cuts are showing a worrying trend. January 2025 recorded 32 companies laying off about 2,537 employees, while January 2024 witnessed more than 34,000 people losing their jobs at 123 businesses.
Although the figures fluctuate year by year, the common point is that the technology industry has not yet escaped the prolonged restructuring cycle.
Leading the January 2026 layoffs is Amazon, with a decision to cut about 16,000 personnel on the 28th.
This move is part of a strategy to streamline the apparatus in the retail, equipment and cloud computing segments.
In an official announcement, Ms. Beth Galetti, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Technology of Amazon, said that the company is reducing intermediate management levels, increasing autonomy for the team and eliminating redundant administrative procedures, while still maintaining investment in strategic areas.
Meta also cut about 1,500 jobs. About 10% of personnel at Reality Labs (the department in charge of metaverse) has been affected.
This decision is linked to the direction of prioritizing stronger investment in artificial intelligence (AI), under the direction of CEO Mark Zuckerberg to tighten the 2026 budget.
In Europe, Ericsson (Swedish multinational telecommunications group) announced the layoff of 1,600 employees in an effort to save costs and protect profits.
Autodesk (a US technology software corporation) cut about 1,000 employees, Pinterest (a social network for sharing images and ideas) cut 700 employees (equivalent to 15% of the workforce), while Shopify and many other technology companies continue to restructure.
Notably, some businesses in the fields of AI and cryptocurrencies have sharply narrowed down their scale or been forced to close down.
According to experts, there are two main reasons that drive the wave of early year layoffs. The first is the new budget cycle when businesses often review personnel strategies based on financial forecasts and business plans for the whole year.
The second is the shift to automation and AI, making many traditional positions redundant when resources are focused on core data infrastructure, technology and technology research.
In addition to financial factors, the dismissal also has the meaning of sending a signal to investors, showing commitment to cost control and maintaining operational efficiency.
However, the current wave of cuts is not limited to Big Tech but has spread to retail, telecommunications, finance, education and AI startups, showing a wider decline in the entire technology ecosystem.
