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Uber announces largest workforce reduction since pandemic onset

The ride-hailing and food delivery giant is cutting 10 per cent of its global workforce, marking its most significant layoff since May 2020 when Covid-19 pandemic disruptions forced the company to eliminate 6,700 positions.

LSN Singapore · 2 September 2026

Uber announces largest workforce reduction since pandemic onset

Uber Technologies is undertaking a sweeping restructuring that will see approximately one in ten employees leave the company, the most substantial workforce reduction the San Francisco-based firm has announced since the coronavirus pandemic upended global markets nearly three years ago.

The layoffs represent a significant shift in strategy for the mobility and delivery platform, which has expanded rapidly across Asia-Pacific and other key markets in recent years. The company previously shed 6,700 jobs in May 2020 as pandemic-driven lockdowns severely impacted demand for ride-hailing services worldwide.

The latest cuts come as Uber faces mounting pressure to demonstrate profitability after years of aggressive expansion and spending. The company, which operates in multiple countries across South and Southeast Asia including Singapore, has been reassessing its cost structure and operational efficiency in recent months.

The workforce reduction is expected to affect employees across various departments and regions, though specific details regarding the impact on Uber's Asia-Pacific operations remain unclear. The company has established a significant presence in the region, offering ride-hailing, food delivery, and freight services across multiple markets.