The U.S. job market has taken a worrisome turn. Job cuts are over a third higher than the same period in 2024. More government and private sector job cuts are on the way.

Layoffs announced by U.S.-employers jumped to levels not seen since the last two recessions amid mass federal government job cuts, canceled contracts and fears of trade wars, offering the clearest sign yet of the toll taken on the labor market by the policies of President Donald Trump's administration.

With employers announcing close to 222 thousand job cuts so far this year, the 2025 layoff rate is at its highest year-to-date total since 2009 when over 428 thousand cuts were planned.