Last updated: 31 October 2026
Meta cut about 8,000 jobs in May 2026, roughly 10% of its staff, as it pours money into AI. It came after a smaller round in Reality Labs in January. Here's what happened, what it means for India, and where Meta is still hiring.
Meta layoffs timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | About 5% of staff cut as "low performers" |
| Oct 2025 | About 600 roles cut in Meta's AI unit, including FAIR |
| Jan 2026 | About 10% of Reality Labs cut (1,000+ people); some VR studios shut (NYT, CNBC) |
| Feb 2026 | Meta said there would be no annual 5% low-performer cut in 2026 (Business Insider) |
| 20 May 2026 | About 8,000 jobs cut (about 10%) in three waves; about 7,000 more staff moved into AI-workflow roles; 6,000 planned hires cancelled (Al Jazeera, Reuters) |
| 30 Sep 2026 | Headcount 66,775, down 15% year on year (Meta Q3 results) |
In a memo reported by Reuters, Mark Zuckerberg said Meta does not expect other company-wide layoffs this year.
What it means for India
- Business Today, citing the Economic Times, reported "dozens" of roles cut in India in ad sales, marketing and related teams in May 2026.
- Indian staff were reportedly offered 4–6 months' salary. Meta has not confirmed India numbers.
- Indians on H-1B visas in the US who were affected have 60 days to find a new sponsor.
Severance
In the US, Meta confirmed 16 weeks' base pay plus 2 weeks per year of service (Al Jazeera). Medical cover of up to 18 months was reported. India terms were reported as 4–6 months' salary.
Is Meta still hiring?
Selectively. Meta keeps hiring for AI and its superintelligence lab, and is spending $135–145 billion on capex in 2026. But overall hiring has been cut back, including 6,000 planned hires cancelled in May. Expect fewer openings, mostly in AI and infrastructure. Preparing anyway? See our Meta data engineer interview questions.
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Say hi to Day on WhatsAppHow Day works →If you are affected: what to do this week
- Read the separation letter carefully before signing. Check your last working day, severance, notice pay and leave encashment.
- Ask for your full and final settlement timeline in writing, plus your relieving letter and experience letter.
- Check your gratuity if you have close to 5 years of service. Our gratuity calculator shows what you are owed.
- Move or keep your PF; do not withdraw it in a hurry.
- Update your resume and LinkedIn the same week. Run your resume through a free ATS check.
- Tell your network. Ex-colleagues are the fastest route to referrals; see how to get a job referral.
We track every major round in our India layoffs tracker 2026. Numbers marked "reported" come from news outlets and have not been confirmed by the company.
FAQs
How many people did Meta lay off in 2026?
About 8,000 in May 2026, after more than 1,000 in Reality Labs in January.
Did Meta lay off employees in India?
Reports say "dozens" of roles in India were cut, mainly in ad sales and marketing. Meta has not confirmed a number.
What severance did Meta give?
In the US, 16 weeks' base pay plus 2 weeks per year of service. India terms were reported at 4–6 months' salary.
Why is Meta laying off employees?
To shift spending and people towards AI. Meta plans $135–145 billion of capex in 2026.
Is Meta still hiring?
Yes, mainly for AI and infrastructure, but far less than before.
