WHO Faces Massive Workforce Cuts: 2,000 Jobs Lost After US Funding Withdrawal

The World Health Organization has announced that its workforce will shrink by nearly a quarter – or over 2,000 jobs – by mid-2026. This drastic reduction comes as the agency implements reforms following the United States' withdrawal as its top donor.

Impact of US Withdrawal

US President Donald Trump's administration withdrew from the WHO in January 2025, prompting the agency to scale back its operations and cut its management team by half. Washington was the UN health agency's largest financial backer, contributing about 18% of its overall funding.

Workforce Reduction Details

According to a presentation to member states, the Geneva-based WHO projects its workforce will decrease by 2,371 posts by June 2026 from 9,401 in January 2025. This reduction results from job cuts, retirements, and departures. A WHO spokesperson confirmed the total number of staff leaving and noted the workforce would shrink by up to 22%, depending on vacant post fillings. The cuts do not include many temporary staff or consultants, whom UN sources say have been made redundant.

Director-General's Statement

Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described this year as "one of the most difficult in WHO's history" in a message to staff. He emphasized that the organization is navigating a "painful but necessary process of prioritisation and realignment" and is preparing to move forward with a "reshaped and renewed Organization."

Budget Challenges

The slides also revealed a $1.06 billion hole in the WHO's 2026-2027 budget, nearly a quarter of the total required. This is down from an estimated gap of $1.7 billion in May. Excluded from this figure is $1.1 billion in expected funding from deals in negotiation. The WHO spokesperson attributed the smaller unfunded portion to a reduced budget, a new fundraising round, and increased mandatory fees from member states.