U.S. employers announced 85,979 job cuts in August 2025, up +39% MoM and +13% YoY, marking the highest August total since 2020 and extending the year’s trend of elevated layoffs.

• YTD job cuts reached 892,362, up +66% YoY and already +17% above 2024’s full-year total, the highest January–August tally since 2020.

• Pharma led sector cuts in August with 19,112 layoffs (22,433 YTD, +142% YoY), while finance announced 18,092 (44,986 YTD, +27% YoY).

• Retail cuts totaled 83,656 YTD, a +242% YoY surge, reflecting pressures from tariffs, inflation, and bankruptcies.

• Non-profit layoffs hit 22,151 YTD (+449% YoY), the highest since 2020, while tech cuts (102,239 YTD) fell -3% YoY.

• Regionally, East-based cuts rose +224% YoY, led by Washington D.C. federal reductions (+754%), while the West remained flat and the Midwest and South saw more moderate increases.