America’s Layoff Wave: Government Cuts Lead a Turbulent 2025

The U.S. job market in 2025 is experiencing one of its sharpest downturns in years, with employers announcing more than 1.09 million layoffs through October—a 65% jump from the same period in 2024.

Government cuts surged to record highs, hitting more than 307,000 job losses as DOGE-related reductions reshaped the public workforce.

Tech, retail, and warehousing also saw major contractions, with each sector shedding tens of thousands of workers amid restructuring, automation, and sluggish demand.

Despite the widespread downturn, some industries reversed course: aerospace, defense, transportation, and apparel all saw significant declines in layoffs, signaling areas of stabilization after years of volatility.