META · 10-K · 2025A · Full report
Operating Expense Trends
Meta Platforms, Inc. · 2026-01-29 · Importance 61 · Surprise 66
General and administrative expenses increased $2.41 billion, or 25%, to $12.15 billion in 2025, primarily due to higher legal‑related costs. Management notes a $1.55 billion prior‑year decrease in accrued losses for certain legal proceedings that benefited 2024, contributing to year‑over‑year variance. The company discloses legal expense volatility and refers readers to Note 11 for commitments and contingencies. Rising legal costs and other G&A increases are a notable driver of total operating expense growth despite strong revenue.
Key facts
- Total costs and expenses for 2025 were $117,690 million, an increase from $95,121 million in 2024.
- FoA investments in 2025 represented 82% of total costs and expenses while RL represented 18% of total costs and expenses.
- General and administrative expense for 2025 was $12,152 million, an increase of $2,412 million, or 25%, compared to 2024.
- The higher employee compensation in R&D was primarily from an 8% growth in employee headcount from 2024 to 2025 in engineering and other technical functions and an increase in share-based compensation expense.
- Marketing and sales expense for 2025 was $11,991 million, an increase of $644 million, or 6%, compared to 2024.
- Share-based compensation expense was $20.43 billion during 2025.
- Depreciation and amortization expense was $18.62 billion during 2025.
- Headcount was 78,865 as of December 31, 2025, an increase of 6% year-over-year.
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| operating_income | negative | realized | -11.2% | Total costs and expenses for 2025 were $117,690 million, an increase from $95,121 million in 2024. |
| operating_income | negative | realized | -1.2% | General and administrative expense for 2025 was $12,152 million, an increase of $2,412 million, or 25%, compared to 2024. |
| operating_income | negative | realized | -0.3% | Marketing and sales expense for 2025 was $11,991 million, an increase of $644 million, or 6%, compared to 2024. |
| operating_income | negative | realized | — | The higher employee compensation in R&D was primarily from an 8% growth in employee headcount from 2024 to 2025 in engineering and other… |
| operating_income | negative | realized | — | Share-based compensation expense was $20.43 billion during 2025. |
| operating_income | negative | realized | — | Depreciation and amortization expense was $18.62 billion during 2025. |