Heineken to Cut Up to 6,000 Jobs Amid Beer Slump

Heineken NV has announced plans to cut between 5,000 and 6,000 jobs, or about 7% of its global workforce, as the company faces a slowdown in beer demand.

The Dutch brewer said most of the job reductions will take place in Europe. Heineken currently employs around 87,000 people worldwide.

The decision comes as beer consumption has declined in major markets, including the United States and Europe. The company reported that its beer volumes fell by 2.4% in 2025. Although the drop was slightly better than some analysts expected, it reflects ongoing pressure on the sector.

Heineken said the workforce reduction will be carried out over two years as part of efforts to manage costs. The company has forecast operating profit growth of between 2% and 6% for this year, compared with 4.4% growth in 2025.

Industry analysts have described the outlook as cautious. Jefferies said the company’s forecast appears slightly weaker than market expectations but noted that it could position the brewer for steady performance during a transition period.

The job cuts follow a broader slowdown in alcohol consumption in several Western markets, particularly after a post-pandemic spike in sales. Rising prices and changing consumer habits have also affected demand.

Heineken surprised investors recently by announcing that Chief Executive Officer Dolf van den Brink will step down in May. The company said appointing a successor is a top priority.

Speaking to media, van den Brink said the company remains careful about the near-term outlook but is confident that the alcohol category will return to growth over the medium to long term.

Heineken, which owns brands such as Amstel and Tecate in addition to its flagship beer, is not alone in facing market challenges. Rival Carlsberg recently adjusted its profit outlook while warning of subdued demand in Western markets.

The restructuring marks one of the largest workforce reductions at Heineken in recent years as it adapts to changing consumer trends and slower beer sales.