Meta to dismiss thousands more staff

Previously known as Facebook, the social media giant was rebranded
as Meta Platforms in 2021 and has since laid off tens of thousands
of employees as it seemingly chases one tech trend after another

META LAYOFF WAVES

Pandemic
over-hiring
correction

“Year of
efficiency”

Performance-
based layoffs

Reality Labs*

Artificial
Intelligence
restructuring

NOV
2022

EARLY
2023

EARLY
2025

JAN-
MAR
2026

MAY
2026

11,000
10,000
3,600
~2000
8,000

Total
since Meta
rebranding:
~34,600

Meta will also not fill 6,000 open job vacancies

Rumoured
second round

LATE
2026

Additional 8,000

Name “Meta” comes from strategic shift by CEO Mark
Zuckerberg (right) towards developing metaverse –
interconnected digital ecosystem spanning virtual and
augmented reality (VR/AR). After spending $80 billion
on project, Meta has now shifted focus towards AI and
mobile devices, retreating from metaverse and its
troubled Horizon Worlds online platform

Note: Meta also frequently hires staff, with its workforce remaining around 70,000-80,000 strong

*Formerly Oculus VR, produces VR and AR hardware and software, including Quest headsets

Sources: BBC, Bloomberg, HRD
Illustration: Google Gemini
Picture: Getty
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