According to a report released Thursday by Challenger, a global outplacement and executive training firm, U.S. employers announced 35,553 layoffs in December, a sharp 50% drop from 71,321 in November and an 8% decrease from 38,792 during the same month last year. The total number of layoffs in December marked the lowest monthly figure since July 2024 (when 25,885 layoffs were announced) and the lowest December total since 2023 (when 34,817 layoffs were announced). This marks the fourth time this year that monthly layoff numbers have been lower than the same period last year. Andy Challenger, a workplace expert and Chief Revenue Officer at Challenger, stated: “ ‘The year has come to a close with the lowest number of planned layoffs for the entire year. While December is typically a slow month for change, the decline in layoffs coupled with an increase in hiring plans is undoubtedly a positive sign after a year of frequent layoffs.’”