Heineken Plans 5,000-6,000 Job Cuts Worldwide

Heineken, the Dutch brewing giant behind brands like Amstel and Birra Moretti, announced plans Wednesday to eliminate between 5,000 and 6,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years, affecting nearly 7 percent of its 87,000-strong global workforce. The cuts, aimed at reducing costs amid declining beer demand, come as the company grapples with shifting consumer habits and economic pressures.

The restructuring targets both brewing operations and administrative roles, including brewery closures, market consolidations, and centralized back-office functions, particularly in Europe and lower-growth regions. Heineken's finance chief, Harold van den Broek, stated during a media call, "We really do this to strengthen our operations and to be able to invest in growth." The company has not specified which sites will be impacted, though it noted the changes will generate savings to support future investments.

Financial results underscore the challenges driving the decision. For 2025, Heineken reported a 1.2 percent drop in total beer volumes, with steeper declines in key markets: 3.4 percent in Europe and 2.8 percent in the Americas. Overall revenues fell 4.7 percent to 34.3 billion euros...