Capgemini is planning to reduce its workforce in France by up to 2,400 employees as part of a broader restructuring programme aimed at aligning its operations with changing client demand, particularly in areas related to artificial intelligence and digital services.
The planned reduction would affect nearly 7 per cent of Capgemini’s workforce in France and is expected to be implemented primarily through voluntary departure programmes, according to people familiar with the matter. Employees impacted by the move may either leave the company or be reskilled and redeployed into areas where demand is stronger, including data engineering, cloud services and artificial intelligence.
The restructuring comes as IT services firms adjust their talent mix amid softer demand in certain traditional service lines and increased client spending on automation- and AI-led transformation projects.
Capgemini has not disclosed the total cost of the restructuring exercise. However, analysts estimate that related expenses could exceed €100 million, with most of the financial benefits expected to materialise from the second half of 2026 and extend into 2027, once workforce optimisation efforts stabilise.
The company’s French operations have underperformed compared with other regions. Operating margins in France are estimated to be below 10 per cent in 2025, prompting management to take steps to improve utilisation and profitability. The workforce realignment is intended to bring French margins closer to Capgemini’s group benchmarks.
Capgemini is targeting operating margins of around 11–12 per cent in France by 2027. This is expected to be supported by improved execution in 2026 and the full-year consolidation of WNS, which is anticipated to contribute to margin expansion at the group level.
In the near term, the restructuring is expected to place some pressure on free cash flow. Analysts now forecast Capgemini’s 2026 free cash flow to be slightly above €2 billion, with restructuring-related costs projected to be higher than those recorded in 2025.
Capgemini has not issued a public statement on the proposed workforce changes.
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