Meta to Lay Off 8,000 Employees in May, Further Cuts Expected in 2026
Meta plans to reduce its global workforce by approximately 10% starting May 20, with additional layoffs anticipated later in the year.
Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is set to initiate a significant workforce reduction on May 20, 2026, affecting about 8,000 employees, or roughly 10% of its global staff.
The company is also planning further layoffs in the second half of the year, though details regarding the timing and scale of these cuts have not been finalized.
These measures are part of Meta's broader strategy to streamline operations and reallocate resources toward artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has emphasized the transformative potential of AI, stating, "We're starting to see projects that used to require big teams now be accomplished by a single very talented person."
In recent months, Meta has already implemented layoffs in its Reality Labs division, which focuses on virtual reality and metaverse projects, and has closed several VR game studios.
As of December 31, 2025, Meta employed nearly 79,000 people. The upcoming layoffs reflect the company's ongoing efforts to adapt to technological advancements and market demands.