Global tech layoffs are on the rise in 2026, with more than 80,000 jobs slashed in the first quarter alone. It is projected that total job losses in the tech sector may surpass 3 lakh this year. This trend is led by major companies like Oracle, Amazon, and Meta, according to a report by TradingPlatforms.
The recent surge in layoffs is part of a broader post-pandemic correction phase. Since 2021, over one million tech jobs have been eliminated worldwide as companies adjust their hiring strategies post the Covid-19 era expansion. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are playing a significant role in driving this transformation, with almost half of the layoffs in 2026 attributed to AI-related restructuring efforts.
The United States has been particularly hard-hit, accounting for nearly 77% of the global tech job cuts in 2026. This amounts to more than 61,000 job losses across 62 companies. Oracle leads the pack in global layoffs this year, having cut over 25,000 positions as part of a major restructuring related to its AI infrastructure push. Amazon follows closely with approximately 16,000 job cuts as it focuses on operational streamlining and efficiency enhancements. Meta, the parent company of major social media platforms, has also trimmed around 2,400 roles.
Outside the US, layoffs have been more scattered geographically. Australia witnessed about 4,450 job cuts, while European countries like Austria, Sweden, and the Netherlands experienced significant reductions, mainly due to challenges in semiconductor manufacturing, telecom, and IT services. In Asia, India reported over 2,000 layoffs, with Israel and Singapore following suit. These cuts span various sectors including AI startups, e-commerce platforms, and cybersecurity firms.
In terms of sectors, cloud computing and software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies saw the highest number of layoffs, totaling around 28,000 job cuts. E-commerce firms were next in line with nearly 19,000 job losses. Companies are increasingly restructuring their operations to prioritize investments in AI, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency, despite many reporting strong financial performances. The report underlines that AI has become a key factor in organizational restructuring and workforce decisions today.
While many layoffs are seen as preemptive cost-cutting measures to fund AI infrastructure, the analysis suggests that they are not solely due to automation replacing jobs at a large scale.
