Nokia to cut 14,000 jobs globally in major cost-cutting drive

Finnish telecommunications giant Nokia is set to implement major changes under its new cost-cutting policy. The company plans to cut approximately 14,000 jobs globally as part of a three-year cost-saving program announced in 2023, which represents about 20 per cent of its total workforce.

Nokia currently employs over 74,000 people worldwide, with more than 17,000 working in India. As a result, India-based employees are expected to bear the brunt of this reduction.

The company's decision comes at a time when international tech giants such as Microsoft, Amazon and Google have also undertaken large-scale workforce reductions. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has also planned to cut 15,000 jobs.

Nokia's business slowed somewhat last year. Fourth-quarter 2025 sales stood at 393 million euros, down 15 per cent from the same period the previous year.

As part of the company's restructuring process, Samar Mittal has been appointed as India Country Business Leader and Vibha Mehra as India Country Manager. Job cuts are more likely in departments where multiple teams are performing the same type of work.

Nokia merged its Cloud and Network Services unit with Mobile Networks in 2023. This cost-cutting policy will be implemented to reduce redundant work and increase efficiency.

Job cuts are also likely in Europe. Thousands of employees in Germany, Greece, Italy and France may be laid off. Nokia's rival Ericsson also cut 5,000 jobs last year and may announce further cuts in the future.

Overall, cost reduction and increasing work efficiency have become the main goals in the telecom industry.