US layoffs leap 118% in January

05/02/2026 Argaam


US layoffs rose sharply in January, hitting the highest level since 2009 during the month, against the backdrop of reduced hiring plans, Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported.

 

US Layoffs in January 2026

Item

Estimates

Previous Reading

Current Reading

Change

Layoffs (‘000)

-

49.79

108.43

+118%

Planned Hirings (‘000)

-

6.09

5.3

(13%)

 

This data reflected a weak outlook for the US labor market, ahead of the release of January's non-farm payrolls report on Feb. 11, which was delayed due to the recent partial government shutdown.

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