Over 1 lakh jobs gone in 2025: Why tech, non-tech companies are slashing workforce
The tech sector's wave of layoffs hasn't slowed in 2025. Big names like Intel, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta have all slashed staff, collectively eliminating over 76,000 jobs in just six months. And if we take some of the big non-tech companies in account, the layoffs rise to over 100,000.From hardware giants to social media platforms and fintech startups, these companies are in the middle of major shakeups -- blaming market pressure, AI investments, and shifting internal priorities. Tens of thousands of skilled workers now find themselves job hunting in an increasingly AI-first economy.advertisementHere are the major tech companies driving layoffs this year:1. INTEL PLANS 25,000+ JOB CUTS IN LARGEST TECH LAYOFF IN HISTORY
Intel has announced plans to cut up to 25,000 jobs, nearly 20% of its workforce, under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan. A major chunk of the cuts will affect its Foundry division, where 15-20% of the workforce is being trimmed starting July.With Intel's global headcount at nearly 109,000 as of December 2024, this marks one of the biggest single-company layoffs the tech world has ever seen.2. PANASONIC CUTS 10,000 POSITIONS IN GLOBAL RESTRUCTURINGPanasonic is slashing 10,000 jobs, or 4% of its workforce, in a broad restructuring move. About half of those cuts will take place in Japan, with the rest overseas.The company is scaling back from traditional product lines like TVs and industrial gear and shifting attention to future-ready segments like AI.advertisementThe restructuring is expected to cost 130 billion yen ($896 million), with an aim to boost profitability by 150 billion yen ($1 billion) by March 2027.3. MICROSOFT CONTINUES MULTI-PHASE LAYOFF WITH 6,500+ JOB CUTSMicrosoft's layoff strategy has been rolled out in stages. In May, over 6,500 employees -- about 3% of its global workforce -- were let go. Cuts impacted engineering, marketing, legal, and program management.Another round is expected in July, this time targeting sales and marketing teams. The company aims to improve its engineer-to-manager ratio and reallocate talent toward AI development.4. META TARGETS "LOW PERFORMERS" IN 5% WORKFORCE REDUCTIONMeta has laid off around 3,600 employees, or 5% of its staff, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg doubles down on performance. Cuts began in February and hit Facebook, Horizon VR, and logistics teams the hardest.Zuckerberg described 2025 as an 'intense year' and said the company would accelerate efforts to 'move out low performers faster.'
5. GOOGLE CONDUCTS MULTIPLE LAYOFF ROUNDS ACROSS KEY DIVISIONSGoogle has gone through several rounds of layoffs this year. Around 200 workers in the global business team were let go, with additional cuts across Android, Pixel, Chrome, HR, and Cloud divisions.advertisementThe HR layoffs mainly impacted recruiters and admin roles, as Google ramps up reliance on AI tools for basic operations.6. AMAZON CONTINUES STRATEGIC WORKFORCE REDUCTIONSAmazon has cut around 14,000 management-level jobs, along with 100 roles in its devices and services division, which includes Alexa, Ring, Echo, and Zoox.CEO Andy Jassy has pushed to simplify Amazon's structure, reducing manager-to-worker ratios and targeting $3.5 billion in annual savings.7. BLUE ORIGIN CUTS 10% OF WORKFORCE IN SPACE INDUSTRY SHAKEUPBlue Origin has let go of over 1,000 employees, or 10% of its workforce, as it shifts toward faster manufacturing and more regular launches.The layoffs came just a month after the long-awaited debut of its New Glenn rocket. Roles affected include engineering, R&D, and upper management.8. IBM LAYS OFF 8,000 EMPLOYEES AS AI REPLACES HR FUNCTIONSIBM has laid off around 8,000 workers, most of them in HR, as AI agents take over routine admin tasks. Around 200 HR roles were directly replaced by automation.However, IBM says overall hiring continues, especially in software and sales, where AI savings are being reinvested.
Comparison of the major tech company layoffs as of June 2025
advertisement9. HP IMPLEMENTS 6,000 JOB CUTS UNDER "FUTURE NOW" RESTRUCTURINGHP's "Future Now" plan aims to save $1.4 billion by cutting up to 6,000 jobs. Layoffs span factory workers, support staff, HR, and engineers in outdated product lines.The company is betting on AI-enabled PCs and high-performance computing for its next phase of growth.10. BLOCK ELIMINATES NEARLY 1,000 WORKERSJack Dorsey's Block cut 931 roles -- about 8% of its workforce -- in March. The restructuring also saw 200 managers reassigned to individual contributor roles and nearly 800 open positions axed.Dorsey cited strategy shifts and performance as key reasons.11. CROWDSTRIKE REDUCES GLOBAL WORKFORCE BY 500 EMPLOYEESCybersecurity firm CrowdStrike cut around 500 jobs, or 5% of its staff, as it attempts to recover from a software bug that affected millions of Windows machines.The goal is to speed up operations and trim redundancy.
Comparison of the major tech company layoffs as of June 2025 (considering the total at around 76,000)
advertisementNON-TECH COMPANIES DRIVING BIG LAYOFFSIt's not just tech companies feeling the brunt of AI and automation. Non-tech companies are laying off employees in large numbers as well:1. Nissan plans 20,000 job cuts: Nissan is slashing 20,000 jobs globally by 2027 and reducing its factory network from 17 to 10. The company posted a loss of 750 billion yen ($5.06 billion) in FY 2024 and is grappling with low China sales and tariff pressures.2. Salesforce cuts 1,000+ roles: Salesforce let go of more than 1,000 employees, even as it expands AI-based roles. The company says affected workers are being encouraged to apply for new positions internally, particularly in AI sales.3. Workday sheds 8.5% of its workforce: Workday cut around 1,750 jobs -- 8.5% of its workforce -- in a shift toward AI. The company is reallocating talent toward AI-focused hiring, with a promise of at least 12 weeks' severance for those laid off.4. Starbucks drops 1,100 corporate employees: Starbucks eliminated 1,100 corporate roles under CEO Brian Niccol. The cuts don't affect baristas or in-store staff, and are intended to streamline management and improve integration across departments.
advertisement5. Match group eliminates 13% of staff: Match Group, parent of Tinder and Hinge, let go of around 325 employees, or 13% of its workforce. The cuts aim to reduce management layers and increase product rollout speed as dating app growth stalls.6. Automattic cuts 16% of workforce: Automattic, which owns WordPress and Tumblr, laid off 16% of its 1,500-person global team. The company says it's focusing on productivity and profitability in a tough digital content market.7. Porsche plans 1,900 job cuts: Porsche will eliminate 1,900 jobs by 2029 -- 15% of roles at key sites in Stuttgart and Weissach. The move is aimed at streamlining operations and catching up on delayed electric vehicle plans.THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE CRISISSo far in 2025, tech industry layoffs have crossed the 100,000 mark, with US-based companies driving the majority of cuts.The reasons vary -- economic pressure, rapid AI adoption, and strategic pivots all play a role.Monthly data shows sharp spikes, especially in February and April. As companies pour money into automation and leaner teams, traditional roles continue to vanish -- leaving thousands in search of work in a drastically changing landscape.
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