Overview
- The World Health Organization projects a reduction of 2,371 posts from January 2025 levels, bringing its workforce to about 7,030 by June 2026.
- Headquarters in Geneva is set to lose 805 positions and the Africa regional office 638, the largest absolute cuts across the system.
- Roughly half of the downsizing will occur through natural attrition such as retirements and ending temporary contracts, with the remainder from abolishing positions.
- WHO documents show significant grade reshaping, including a drop in senior directors from 65 to 38 and a 37% cut to entry-level professional roles.
- The headline figures exclude many temporary staff and consultants already made redundant, and experts warn the reductions could weaken outbreak response despite reported 2025 savings like a 50% cut in travel costs.