Layoffs surge 87 percent in 2025, highest total since 2020. Over 600,000 jobs lost, government and tech sectors hit hardest
Layoffs are surging across the country, and the numbers are staggering. So far in 2025, 602,493 jobs have been cut, marking an 87 percent increase over last year. This is the highest year-to-date total since 2020, when pandemic-driven layoffs devastated the workforce. The trend is clear, but what most people don’t realize is that these cuts were predictable months in advance.
Companies rarely make sudden decisions when it comes to mass layoffs. The warning signs are there, but most employees don’t see them until it’s too late. Hiring freezes, budget reductions, and vague corporate restructuring announcements are all early indicators. By the time layoffs hit the headlines, the decisions have already been made.
The hardest-hit industries tell a story of shifting priorities. Government job cuts have skyrocketed 680 percent compared to last year, largely driven by cost-cutting measures. The technology sector has seen a 35 percent increase in layoffs, as companies adjust to slowing growth and rising operational costs. Retail job losses have surged 296 percent, reflecting weaker consumer spending and store closures.
Executives and shareholders always know what’s coming. They see the financial reports, analyze market trends, and plan accordingly. Employees, on the other hand, are often left in the dark until the pink slips arrive.
https://www.challengergray.com/blog/april-2025-job-cuts-plunge-but-doge-drives-2025-layoffs-to-pandemic-era-highs/
https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2025-05-01/us-announced-job-cuts-decline-in-april-recruitment-firm-challenger-says