U.S. employers announced 108,435 layoffs in January 2026, marking the highest monthly total for January since 2009, according to data from outplacement firm Challenger Gray & Christmas. The figure represents a 118% year-over-year increase from January 2025 and a 205% surge from December 2025, underscoring growing economic uncertainty as the new year begins.
Transportation and technology sectors bore the brunt of cuts, with UPS planning to eliminate over 30,000 jobs and Amazon reducing its workforce by 16,000. Andy Challenger, the firm’s workplace expert, noted that the scale of early-year layoffs suggests employers finalized downsizing plans in late 2025, reflecting cautious sentiment about 2026’s economic landscape.
While the data focuses on U.S. markets, analysts at KhabarAsia.com highlight potential ripple effects for Asian economies tied to global supply chains and consumer demand. The report arrives as Asian investors closely monitor Federal Reserve policy decisions that could influence capital flows into emerging markets.
