Layoff trend in tech giants continues in 2025

In the first half of 2025, the tech world has once again been dominated by news of layoffs. Mass layoffs, which have become one of the significant issues of recent years, have continued this year as part of the financial and technological transformation processes of major companies. The decisions made by industry giants, in particular, affect not only their employees but the entire global economic agenda.

According to data from Layoffs.fyi, a platform that tracks tech-focused layoffs, more than 150 major technology companies have laid off a total of 72 thousand people in the first six months of the year. In the same period last year, approximately 100 thousand people had lost their jobs. Although there has been a 28 percent decrease compared to last year, the trend of shrinking employment in the sector continues.

Looking at 2023, the picture was even more striking: 213 thousand employees lost their jobs in the first half of that year. Data from the last two years shows that the sector is undergoing a global restructuring and that personnel reductions have become a macro trend.

MAJOR COMPANIES RESTRUCTURED IN MAY

Microsoft is preparing to sign off on one of the most talked-about layoff decisions of 2025. Having laid off 3 thousand people in May, the company plans to cut another 9 thousand positions, which accounts for 4 percent of its global workforce. Thus, it is projected that a total of 12 thousand Microsoft employees will be laid off this year.

Similarly, CrowdStrike, one of the key players in the cybersecurity field, announced that it would part ways with 5 percent of its employees to adapt to the rapid changes in the field of artificial intelligence. In a television program he attended, the company's CEO, George Kurtz, stated that the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence accelerate the transformation of ideas into products, improve customer experience, and increase efficiency.

RECORD INCREASE IN MARKET VALUE OF TECH GIANTS

Despite employment losses in the sector, there is a noticeable rise in the market values of technology companies. According to current data from Companiesmarketcap.com, all of the world's top five most valuable companies come from the technology sector. NVIDIA sits at the top of the list with a market value of 3.8 trillion dollars, followed by Microsoft with a value of 3.7 trillion dollars. Apple is in third place with 3.2 trillion dollars, Amazon is fourth with 2.4 trillion dollars, and Alphabet (Google) is in fifth place with a market value of 2.2 trillion dollars.

It is noteworthy that while company values continue to rise, particularly under the influence of investments in artificial intelligence and digital transformation, the contraction in human resources persists. Sector analysts also point out that new job positions may emerge in the coming period.