2026-01-13 11:23:16

There is a phenomenon worth paying attention to. Big tech companies are laying off large numbers of employees due to AI efficiency improvements, and this has been widely discussed. But the real problem lies with small businesses — in the past three months alone, 37,000 people have been directly laid off.

Even more striking data is this: in the past 8 months, small companies have been reducing staff for 6 months. This is not an isolated phenomenon but a widespread trend. As a result, the 3-month moving average has dropped directly to -37,000, hitting a new low since the 2020 financial crisis.

What does this indicate? The downward pressure on the economy is not just affecting large enterprises; small and medium-sized businesses are the most vulnerable link. For the job market to truly improve, we first need to see how small businesses are doing.

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MysteryBoxAddict

· 6h ago

Small businesses can't withstand this wave directly. Where's the promised economic recovery...

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FlatTax

· 6h ago

Small and medium-sized enterprises really can't hold up; big companies laying off employees make headlines, while small businesses quietly close without anyone caring --- -37000 this number is disgusting, worse than the financial crisis --- To put it simply, small businesses originally have weak risk resistance, and now they are being pressed to the ground and rubbed --- Why do small companies always die first? Large companies can at least survive by burning money --- Has the economy really recovered? Who would believe small businesses are thriving like this --- Even if employment data looks good, it’s useless; grassroots micro and small enterprises are still bleeding profusely

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ReverseTrendSister

· 6h ago

Small businesses are the true vampire hunters. We're used to layoffs at big companies, but when small companies fail, the entire ecosystem collapses.

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TideReceder

· 6h ago

Hmm... Small businesses are the true reflection of the economy; layoffs at big companies are just superficial.

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MidnightTrader

· 7h ago

Small businesses have indeed been overlooked. Big companies laying off employees are trending on social media, while small and medium-sized enterprises are quietly bleeding out. Honestly, I judge the true state of the economy based on employment data from small businesses. -37000 is not a small number; we need to be alert. When small and medium-sized enterprises can't hold on, the lower levels start to feel the pain. This is the real warning sign of a crisis. Wait, are small companies reducing staff in 8 months or 6 months? This pace is a bit alarming... Big companies' layoffs can at least make the news, but who cares if small businesses go bankrupt? Improving employment? We have to wait for these small business owners to survive first.

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