Washington: US employers announced 275,240 job cuts in March, a 60% increase from February and more than double the figure of last March, as efforts to overhaul the federal workforce continues, according to data Thursday by US-based global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas.

According to Anadolu Agency, the first quarter of 2025 has seen 497,052 cuts announced nationwide, marking the highest quarterly total since the first quarter of 2009 during the Great Recession. The monthly total represents the third-highest number of job cuts ever recorded and the highest March figure since tracking began in 1989.

The Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) restructuring accounted for nearly 80% of the reductions. Specifically, DOGE's restructuring led to the elimination of 216,215 positions in March. "Job cut announcements were dominated last month by DOGE plans to eliminate positions in the federal government," said Andrew Challenger, the firm's senior vice president. "It would have otherwise been a fairly quiet month for layoffs."

The federal workforce reduction has resulted in the elimination of 280,253 positions over the last two months, with an additional 4,429 layoffs attributed to cuts in federal contracts, primarily impacting non-profit and healthcare organizations.

Beyond government reductions, several private sectors experienced concerning trends. Technology companies announced 15,055 layoffs in March, while retailers cut 11,709 positions. Consumer products and automotive manufacturers have eliminated 14,619 jobs this year, a 54% increase from 2024. Although significant, these cuts have not reached the levels seen during the coronavirus pandemic, which peaked at 671,129 in April 2020.

"Several sectors will be impacted by tariffs going forward, including Consumer, Auto, and Retail," Challenger warned.