The federal workforce experienced a significant contraction in 2025, shrinking by 10.3%, which translates to a loss of nearly 238,000 jobs. This decline, as analyzed by the Pew Research Center, reflects the impact of the Trump administration’s policies during its second term in office.
According to the analysis, the number of federal workers dropped to 2,074,649 by December 2025, from 2,312,301 a year earlier. This reduction is characterized by an increase in separations—including quits, retirements and layoffs—with 348,219 federal employees leaving their roles, marking an 80.8% increase from 2024. Simultaneously, modern hires plummeted to 116,912, a decrease of 55.6% from the previous year.
These job losses were broadly felt across various demographics and categories, but notably affected younger and less experienced employees. The proportion of federal workers under the age of 35 fell from 18% to 16.8%, while those with less than two years of experience dropped significantly from 16.2% to 10.3% within the same timeframe.
Major Agency Cuts
Among federal agencies, the Education Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) saw the most drastic reductions. The Education Department’s workforce decreased from nearly 4,300 employees to fewer than 2,500, a staggering 42.6% drop. USAID’s headcount fell by an astonishing 92.4%, dwindling from almost 4,900 to just 370 employees.
Impact on Various Occupations
The job cuts predominantly impacted white-collar positions, which constituted 92.1% of the federal workforce at the end of 2024. The headcount in white-collar occupations declined by 10.6%, while blue-collar roles saw a more modest 6.7% reduction.
Notable losses in specific job categories included:
- Medical workers, including 4,038 nurses
- Tax professionals, with reductions of 3,141 internal revenue agents
- Information technology managers, who saw a decrease of 13,986
- General attorneys, with a drop of 6,608
- Contact representatives, who declined by 6,629
Redacted Data Challenges
The analysis faced challenges due to the lack of available demographic data from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which has ceased publishing information regarding the gender, race, ethnicity, and disability status of federal workers. This limitation complicates a comprehensive understanding of how these job cuts impact various segments of the workforce.
Looking Ahead
The overall reduction in federal workforce numbers raises critical questions about the future of public service and the ability of government agencies to fulfill their missions effectively. As the Biden administration continues to shape its policies, the implications of these cuts will likely be a topic of ongoing discussion and analysis.
We encourage readers to share their thoughts on the federal workforce changes and their potential impact on public services. Join the conversation and share this article to foster awareness and discussion on this important topic.
