How Many Employees Does Facebook Have in 2024?
As of March 2023, Facebook employs approximately 65,964 people globally. While still a massive workforce, this represents a substantial decline from the over 87,000 employees Facebook reported in late 2022. Through significant layoffs and hiring freezes, the company‘s workforce is shrinking rapidly.
In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at Facebook‘s current employee numbers, recent job cuts, open positions, workforce diversity, compensation, and employee satisfaction at the prominent tech company. With insightful data, analysis, and research, we’ll answer: how many people work for Facebook today and what‘s shaping the workforce?
Key Employee Count Statistics:
Facebook global headcount as of March 2024: ~65,964
Down 21% from 87,314 employees in September 2022
11,000 employees laid off in November 2022 (13% of workforce)
10,000 more job cuts planned for 2024
5,000 open roles eliminated that were never filled
Majority of layoffs in recruiting and business teams
Engineering, research, technical teams still hiring
Layoffs Lead to Declining Employee Count
Facebook‘s employee numbers have dropped steeply since late 2022, primarily driven by two major rounds of layoffs. In November 2022, Facebook‘s parent company Meta announced plans to cut 13% of employees, impacting approximately 11,000 workers. Sources cited slowing revenue growth, overhiring during the pandemic, and cost cutting as reasons behind the layoffs.
In March 2023, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced another 10,000 roles would be eliminated through a second restructuring round. Additionally, around 5,000 open jobs that were never filled are being removed. Combined, the layoffs and unfilled roles mean Facebook‘s workforce could shrink by 21,000 in less than a year – over 20% of employees.
The majority of layoffs have impacted recruiting and business teams, as Facebook looks to reduce hiring and marketing costs. However, teams developing Facebook‘s core apps and services, including engineers and technical staff, have been less affected. The company is still looking to hire top talent in these critical areas.
Generous Layoff Support Provided
While large-scale job cuts are always unfortunate, Facebook aims to support separating employees through generous severance, benefits, and career transition help.
According to Mark Zuckerberg‘s November 2022 announcement, US-based laid off employees are receiving:
16 weeks of base pay, plus two additional weeks per year of service, with no cap
Full payment of all remaining Paid Time Off
6 months of company-paid COBRA health insurance
3 months of career support from an external vendor
Immigration law support if needed
Additionally, Facebook is providing at least 90 days notice for any layoffs outside the US to comply with labor laws. Employees globally are receiving stock awards that were due to vest on November 15, 2022.
The substantial severance packages aim to give workers time to find new roles. However, the job market for tech talent remains highly competitive.
What Roles is Facebook Still Hiring For?
Despite workforce reductions in recruiting, marketing, and business ops, Facebook has thousands of open positions across essential product development, engineering, and research teams. These technical roles remain crucial to Facebook‘s core services.
Some examples of teams and functions with open headcount include:
Engineering:
- Software engineering – iOS, Android, Web, Backend, Systems
- Data science and analytics
- Machine learning and artificial intelligence
- Augmented and virtual reality
Technical Operations:
- IT support – Security, Networking, Cloud
- Data center techs and facilities
- Production and manufacturing
Research:
- Computational social science
- Applied machine learning
- User experience and behavior
Business:
Advertising sales – Retail, Entertainment, Technology
Finance – Planning, Procurement, Accounting
Recruiting – Technical sourcing and university recruiting
Jobs are available globally, with certain locations like Menlo Park, London, Tel Aviv, Singapore seeing more openings. Competitive compensation, benefits, equity, growth opportunities attract top candidates.
Diversity and Inclusion at Facebook
Like most large tech firms, Facebook makes diversity and inclusion a priority – albeit with mixed results.
In the US in 2021, 45.6% of all employees were women, underrepresented minorities, veterans, or people with disabilities. Specifically:
38.2% of managers were Black, up 30% since 2020
Hispanic/Latinos made up 5.6% of staff
34.6% of employees were Asian
10.6% identified as LGBTQ+
4.7% have disabilities
Globally, 36.7% of managers were women, increased from 31.8% in 2020. Overall, 44% of staff were female in 2021.
However, Facebook‘s diversity data lacks 2022 metrics following substantial layoffs. Maintaining diversity amidst job cuts proves challenging. Recent controversies around workplace discrimination have also marred progress.
But Facebook states its committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. The company spends over $150 million per year on inclusion programs. Employee resource groups, training, and development aim to nurture underrepresented groups. Plans for 2024 include more transparency around workforce demographics.
What Do Employees Say About Company Culture?
Despite recent turmoil, Facebook employees rate it well across key categories like compensation, career growth, diversity, and work-life balance, according to Comparably data based on nearly 10,000 employee reviews.
85% give Facebook an "A+" overall Culture Grade
83% rate Facebook compensation as fair
84% are satisfied with benefits
84% find the work environment positive
Satisfaction is highest in administrative roles (90%) and lowest for customer success (55%) and longer-tenured staff (73%).
Employees highlight competitive pay, strong benefits, remote work flexibility, and meaningful work. But recent changes create uncertainty around job security and leadership vision.
Meta also faces ongoing scrutiny around ethics and social impact. Younger generations are increasingly wary of working for Facebook due to reputational concerns.
Final Thoughts on Facebook‘s Workforce in 2024
In 2024 and beyond, Facebook faces challenges around retaining talent, rebuilding morale, and reshaping its workforce to be leaner and more focused. While still a top destination for engineering talent, recruiting will get harder amid stagnating brand sentiment.
However, a more nimble 66,000 person workforce allows Facebook to reinvest in high priority growth areas like AI, VR/AR, video, and the Metaverse. Facebook remains well-positioned to evolve, innovate, and enable meaningful human connection through technology.
But further turbulence likely lies ahead as Facebook adapts to a new economic reality. Maintaining a positive work culture and productive workforce through such dynamic change won‘t be easy. With smart leadership and resilient employees who believe in the mission, Facebook can successfully navigate its next chapter.
