Job Shifts: What's in Store for 2026?

In 2025, the job market was a mixed bag. Early in the year, job cuts were few, but things took a turn in the last few months. Big companies started letting go of many workers, leading to some of the highest job losses seen in years. Looking ahead to 2026, opinions vary. Some think things might balance out, with more jobs in healthcare and lower unemployment. But others are worried. Economic uncertainty and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) could make hiring unpredictable and keep job cuts high. Figuring out which jobs are at risk is tough. The government shutdown and delayed reports have made it hard to get a clear picture. But one thing is clear: tariffs will keep affecting jobs, especially in retail and services. These sectors rely on consumer spending, which is becoming less stable.Experts say almost every sector could see layoffs. Unemployment is rising, and job growth is slowing down. Wages aren't growing as fast as they were last year. Tariffs, less investment in healthcare, and stricter immigration policies are making things harder. AI is another big concern. It's already replacing some jobs, especially those involving repetitive tasks like accounting, legal work, and customer service. Physical jobs are safe for now, but that might change soon. If AI investment slows down, it could lead to an economic crisis, hitting construction and manufacturing hard. In 2025, job cuts reached nearly 1. 2 million, a big jump from the year before. Experts think 2026 might follow a similar pattern. While some believe the fear around AI is overblown, the overall economic situation doesn't look promising.