MENLO PARK, Calif., April 23, 2026 Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced plans to eliminate approximately 10% of its global workforce and freeze hiring for around 6,000 open positions, affecting nearly 8,000 employees. The tech giant confirmed the layoffs as part of a broader restructuring effort, with the cuts expected to impact nearly 8,000 employees. Meta had nearly 79,000 employees at the start of the year, according to internal figures corroborated by multiple sources.
The company also revealed plans to leave approximately 6,000 currently open positions unfilled, further tightening its operational budget. These measures come despite Meta’s announcement of capital expenditures ranging between $115 billion and $135 billion for 2026 alone.
Workforce Reductions and Hiring Freeze
The layoffs, which represent one of the largest workforce reductions in Meta’s history, follow a series of cost-cutting initiatives by the social media conglomerate. The decision to freeze hiring for thousands of open roles suggests a strategic shift toward streamlining operations amid economic uncertainties.
Janelle Gale, Meta’s Vice President of Human Resources, emphasized the need for "financial discipline" in a statement. The company has not disclosed which departments or regions will be most affected by the cuts, but insiders suggest that non-core divisions may face deeper reductions.