Tech layoffs top 30,000 in 2026. Worst hit countries revealed

Dubai: Workers across major technology hubs are confronting another wave of job losses early in the year, with more than 30,700 layoffs recorded globally in just over a month, according to a February 2026 report by financial research platform RationalFX based on data from TrueUp, TechCrunch, WARN filings and industry trackers. The figures suggest workforce reductions are not slowing and could exceed last year’s totals if the current pace continues.

The US accounts for the overwhelming majority, with about 24,600 layoffs, representing just over four-fifths of the global total. Sweden ranks second with 1,900 job cuts, followed by the Netherlands with 1,700. India has recorded about 920 layoffs, and Israel has recorded 774. Additional reductions have been reported in the Czech Republic, Germany, Argentina, France and the British Virgin Islands, showing that workforce contraction is affecting both major economies and smaller financial or technology hubs.

The report states that the speed and distribution of cuts indicate a shift in how technology companies operate rather than a short-term slowdown tied to economic cycles. Nearly one million technology jobs have been eliminated globally since 2021 following the industry’s post-pandemic correction, when companies that expanded aggressively began reassessing costs, productivity and organisational structures.

Layoffs are no longer limited to entry-level or support functions. The report notes that recent job reductions have included senior positions and specialised technical roles, indicating that restructuring is reaching deeper into corporate hierarchies. Analysts tracking employment patterns say companies are redesigning teams around automation and artificial intelligence systems that can handle tasks once assigned to human staff.

Employers are increasingly prioritising candidates with AI expertise while reducing roles tied to routine corporate processes. Some industry leaders argue that retraining alone may not offset job displacement if automation continues advancing at its current pace.

Among individual companies, Amazon represents the largest single contributor to this year’s layoffs. In January, the company announced plans to eliminate about 16,000 corporate positions, one of the biggest workforce reductions in its history, following a separate round of 14,000 job cuts announced in October 2025. Management said the goal is to streamline decision-making, reduce organisational layers, and invest heavily in artificial intelligence.

Employees based in the US were given 90 days to apply for internal roles before separation packages took effect. Severance pay, job placement assistance, and continued health benefits were offered to those who left.

The scale of reductions stands in contrast to the company’s financial performance. Amazon reported revenue of $716.9 billion last year and is preparing capital expenditure that could approach $200 billion this year, much of it directed toward cloud computing and AI infrastructure.

Social media group Meta has cut more than 1,000 roles from its Reality Labs division, the unit focused on virtual reality and metaverse technologies. Executives said the reductions are part of a broader strategy to redirect resources toward areas showing stronger growth potential, including artificial intelligence and core platform products.

Other major companies have also announced job reductions. Payments firm Block plans to eliminate about 1,100 positions as part of a restructuring programme designed to streamline operations and integrate services. Software groups Autodesk and Salesforce have each disclosed layoffs of roughly 1,000 employees while reorganising teams to focus on cloud and enterprise platforms.

Geographic data in the report show that job losses remain concentrated in established technology hubs. Seattle leads worldwide layoffs by city, with more than 16,500 workers affected, largely reflecting reductions at companies headquartered there. San Francisco and Menlo Park follow, reinforcing the trend that traditional innovation clusters are absorbing the largest employment shocks.

Europe presents a similar pattern. Sweden’s ranking is driven primarily by layoffs at telecommunications equipment manufacturer Ericsson, which is reducing staff to strengthen competitiveness amid a slower global 5G market. The Netherlands total reflects job cuts at semiconductor equipment maker ASML, which is restructuring management and technical roles even after reporting strong demand and record sales.

Asia has also recorded workforce reductions. India leads regional layoffs, followed closely by Israel. The report notes that several major technology markets, including Japan, Indonesia and China, have not reported confirmed layoffs so far this year. However, it cautions that disclosure levels vary and may affect totals.

RationalFX analysis indicates that if layoffs continue at the current rate, global technology job losses could reach about 273,000 by year end, exceeding the roughly 245,000 recorded last year. Researchers say the trend reflects a long-term shift toward leaner corporate structures, tighter cost control and technology-led productivity gains.

Experts expect hiring demand to remain uneven across roles. Positions requiring advanced technical skills, data expertise, and experience with artificial intelligence are likely to expand, while administrative and operational roles face continued pressure. The coming months will determine whether job creation in emerging technology fields can offset ongoing workforce reductions elsewhere.