Meta to Cut 10% of Global Workforce in May, Citing Efficiency Push

April 23, 2026 - 21:25

Meta has informed employees that it intends to lay off approximately 10% of its total workforce in May, a move driven by the company’s ongoing focus on operational efficiency and rising operational costs. The decision, communicated internally to staff, marks one of the largest single-round reductions in the company’s recent history.

According to internal memos, the layoffs will affect thousands of employees across various departments, including engineering, product development, and corporate functions. Meta leadership emphasized that the cuts are part of a broader restructuring effort to streamline operations and reduce redundancy in a rapidly shifting economic environment. The company has faced mounting pressure from investors to control expenses after years of aggressive hiring and significant investments in the metaverse and artificial intelligence.

Employees impacted by the layoffs will receive severance packages and extended benefits, including health insurance coverage for a set period. The company has also pledged to provide career transition support and outplacement services to help affected staff find new roles. While the announcement has created uncertainty among the workforce, Meta executives have framed the reductions as necessary to ensure long-term financial health and competitiveness.

The layoffs come amid a broader trend in the technology sector, where major firms have been downsizing to adapt to changing market conditions. Meta’s stock has shown mixed reactions in pre-market trading following the news.