Meta is cutting 5% of its workforce, or more than 3,600 employees
Meta will cut about 5% of its workforce, focusing on getting rid of low-performing employees at the social media giant.
www.cbsnews.comHere’s a concise update on Meta layoffs based on the latest publicly reported information.
Direct answer
- Meta has announced and carried out multiple rounds of layoffs since 2025, including a ~5% headcount reduction in January 2025 and significant cuts to Reality Labs in early 2026, with ongoing concerns about additional rounds as the company shifts toward AI initiatives. [CNBC: Meta targets lowest-performing employees in 2025 round][CBS News: Meta cuts about 5% of workforce in 2025][CNBC: Several hundred Meta layoffs in 2026 coverage]
Context and key details
- 2025 layoff round: Meta disclosed plans to reduce roughly 5% of its staff, aimed at removing lower-performing employees as the company anticipated an “intense year” focused on AI and related technologies. The cuts were expected to affect thousands of employees given Meta’s headcount at the time. [CNBC 2025-01-14 summary][CBS News 2025-01-13 reporting]
- 2026 developments: Reports in early 2026 indicated renewed layoff activity, particularly within Reality Labs, with expectations of around 10% further reductions in the near term and potential deeper cuts depending on business priorities. [YouTube coverage and mainstream reporting in January–May 2026]
- Focus of reductions: Across these rounds, Meta has signaled a pivot toward AI, while some units such as Reality Labs (VR/AR) have been targeted for job cuts as resources shift to core AI initiatives. [CNBC/CBS summaries; related coverage]
What this means for employees and operations
- The company has used layoffs as a mechanism to recalibrate its workforce sizing to its strategic priorities, with severance and transition support typically provided per prior practices. [CNBC 2025 coverage]
- Ongoing uncertainty about future rounds has persisted, given Meta’s continued emphasis on AI deployment and platform optimization. [2026 coverage]
If you’d like, I can:
- Compile a brief timeline of Meta layoff announcements with dates and approximate headcount affected.
- Pull current, reputable sources for the latest confirmed numbers and any official statements.
- Create a quick summary table comparing the 2025 and 2026 layoff rounds (percent of workforce, divisions affected, stated rationale).
Would you like me to pull more precise, up-to-date sources or prepare a timeline table?
Citations
- Meta targets lowest-performing employees in 2025 round[1]
- Meta cuts about 5% of workforce in 2025[2]
- Meta layoffs coverage affecting Reality Labs and AI focus in 2026[3][5]