New Delhi: Meta Platforms is reportedly planning to lay off at least 10 per cent of its global workforce—around 8,000 employees—as early as next month, according to a Reuters report.
Further rounds of layoffs are also expected in the second half of the year, although details remain unclear. The initial phase, likely to begin in May, is expected to account for about 10 per cent of the company’s total workforce.
The report added that the scale and timing of job cuts could depend on developments in artificial intelligence capabilities, which are increasingly shaping the company’s restructuring plans.
Meta is also said to be considering deeper reductions, potentially affecting 20 per cent or more of its workforce. If implemented at that level, the layoffs could impact roughly 16,000 employees, based on the company’s workforce of nearly 79,000 as of December 31.
The company, led by Mark Zuckerberg, has not officially confirmed the reported plans and did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The development comes amid a broader wave of job cuts across the global technology sector in 2026. According to a recent report by TradingPlatforms, more than 80,000 tech jobs have already been cut in the first quarter of the year, with total losses projected to exceed three lakh by year-end.
The report noted that the current wave of layoffs builds on a wider post-pandemic correction, with over one million tech jobs lost globally since 2021 as companies adjust hiring after the Covid-era expansion.
Artificial intelligence and automation have emerged as key drivers of this shift, with nearly half of all layoffs in 2026 linked to AI-led restructuring.
The United States remains the worst-affected market, accounting for nearly 77 per cent of global layoffs so far this year, with more than 61,000 job cuts reported across 62 companies.
Among major firms, Oracle has recorded the highest number of layoffs in 2026, cutting over 25,000 roles as part of a restructuring linked to its AI infrastructure push. Amazon follows with around 16,000 job cuts aimed at streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
With IANS inputs