Meta to Lay Off 10% of Workforce (8,000 Employees) on May 20
Meta plans to cut about 10% of its roughly 79,000 employees—around 8,000 staff—in an initial layoff wave on May 20, with additional cuts slated for later in 2026. Executives will adjust headcount targets based on advancements in the company’s AI capabilities.
1. Initial Layoff Wave Details
Meta will cut about 10% of its global workforce—around 8,000 of 79,000 employees—in an initial layoff wave on May 20. Executives anticipate further reductions later in 2026 but have not finalized targets for the second phase.
2. AI and Future Workforce Strategy
Leadership plans to calibrate additional job cuts based on developments in artificial intelligence capabilities, aiming to streamline management layers and boost efficiency through AI-assisted operations.
3. Historical Context and Financial Position
These 2026 reductions follow a 21,000-job cut during the 2022–2023 "year of efficiency." Meta generated over $200 billion in revenue and $60 billion in profit last year, and its share price is up 3.7% year-to-date despite elevated AI spending.