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3w ago

Federal Layoffs Surge to Historic Levels Under DOGE-Led Downsizing

March 2025 saw over 275,000 job cuts, with federal layoffs accounting for nearly 80%, signaling deep economic and social ripple effects.

Demonstrators gather outside of the offices of the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. on March 13, 2025, to protest against mass layoffs and budget cuts at the agency, initiated by the Trump administration and DOGE.
Elon Musk looks on during the day of a meeting with House Republicans to discuss the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 5, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File Photo
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Overview

  • The U.S. announced 275,240 layoffs in March 2025, the third-highest monthly total on record, driven by 216,215 federal job cuts led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
  • DOGE's aggressive downsizing efforts, spearheaded by Elon Musk, have slashed federal spending and eliminated positions across 27 agencies, heavily impacting Washington D.C.
  • Downstream effects of federal cuts have led to an additional 4,429 layoffs in healthcare and nonprofit sectors, highlighting broader economic vulnerabilities.
  • Legal challenges and paid notice periods have delayed the full impact of the layoffs, with thousands of workers reinstated by court orders.
  • Hiring plans sharply declined in March 2025, with only 13,198 planned hires compared to 34,580 in February, reflecting growing uncertainty in the labor market.