Challenger: U.S. layoffs hit 1.1 million
Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports U.S. employers announced 1.1 million job cuts through November 2025, up 54% from the same period in 2024 and the highest since 2020. Tech led with 153,536 layoffs and retail 91,954, while the report cites major drivers including roughly 300,000 cuts from the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), market conditions, closures, restructuring, AI and tariffs; ADP separately said private payrolls fell by 32,000 in November, driven by small firms.
đ Key Facts
- Total 2025 layoffs through November: 1,100,000 (+54% YoY), sixth time since 1993 surpassing 1.1M (Challenger).
- Sector leaders: Tech 153,536; Retail 91,954; Services 69,089; Telecom 38,035; Food 34,165; Nonprofit 28,696; Media/news 17,163.
- Top cited causes: DOGE ~300,000 direct + 21,000 indirect; market/economic 245,086; closures 178,500+; restructuring 128,255; AI 54,700; tariffs ~8,000.
đ Relevant Data
Black workers comprise 18% of the federal workforce compared to 12% of the overall civilian workforce, and DOGE job cuts have disproportionately affected Black federal workers. The U.S. population is approximately 13% Black.
DOGE job cuts disproportionately affect Black federal workers â Marketplace
Black unemployment reached 7.2% in August 2025, the highest in five years, driven by federal layoffs and end of diversity initiatives. The U.S. population is approximately 13% Black, 60% White, 19% Hispanic, and 6% Asian.
With Black Unemployment Hitting A 5-Year High, Has DEI Become A Scarlet Letter? â Forbes
In the tech sector, employment demographics show White workers at 61.5%, Asian at 23.3%, Black at 7.6%, and Hispanic at 7.9% as of 2024 data, indicating underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic workers compared to their U.S. population shares of 13% and 19%.
Employed persons by detailed industry, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity â Bureau of Labor Statistics
In the retail sector, retail salespersons are 63% White, 10% Hispanic, 10% Black, compared to U.S. population demographics of 60% White, 19% Hispanic, 13% Black, showing overrepresentation of White workers and underrepresentation of Hispanic workers.
Retail salesperson demographics in the United States â CareerExplorer
People of color make up 41% of the federal workforce but constituted a majority of workers affected by recent federal job cuts in 2025.
Report: Federal Job Cuts Having Disproportionate Effect on Women and Minorities â PSHRA