Layoffs surged practically 40 p.c final month, with employers eliminating 85,979 positions — the most important August hit because the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, in response to new analysis.
The evaluation, launched Thursday from the Challenger, Grey & Christmas consulting agency, famous that the cuts, which have hit the pharmaceutical, monetary and retail industries particularly laborious this yr, are doubtless linked to a few of President Trump’s insurance policies since his return to workplace in January.
Thus far, employers have made 892,362 cuts in 2025 — essentially the most since 2020 when 1,963,458 cuts have been introduced from January to August amid the pandemic, in response to the agency’s evaluation.
The specialists wrote that the White Home’s Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) and its sweeping cuts to the federal workforce doubtless had a ripple impact that prompted cutbacks. “DOGE actions” has been the highest cause cited for job cuts and layoffs up to now in 2025, per the evaluation.
“After the impact of DOGE on the federal government, employers are citing economic and market factors as the driver of layoffs,” stated Andrew Challenger, a labor knowledgeable and senior vice chairman on the agency. “We’ve also seen a spike in cuts due to operation or store closings and bankruptcies this year compared to last.”
The pharmaceutical trade, with 19,111 layoffs, and monetary sector, with 18,092 cuts, noticed the largest losses final month.
“Economic uncertainty and market volatility have increased pressure on companies in finance to tighten belts,” Challenger stated.
The retail sector additionally has been hit laborious this yr, the analysts discovered.
Retailers have eradicated 83,656 jobs this yr by means of August — up 242 p.c from the 24,489 cuts introduced throughout the identical interval final yr. Challenger cited the function that Trump’s tariff insurance policies have doubtless performed and will proceed to have by means of the remainder of the yr.
“Retailers are being hard hit by tariffs, inflation, and ongoing economic uncertainty causing bankruptcies and closures,” he stated. “If tariffs and consumer spending constraints play out, the approaching holiday shopping season may see fewer seasonal hires and, in fact, high layoffs.”
Challenger additionally famous that seasonal hiring tends to choose up in September every year.
“Coming off the lowest August on record for hiring plans, it may be a troubling sign,” he stated.
