World Bank Report Highlights Migration Trends and Impacts in Central Asia

The World Bank has published a report titled The Way Forward: Supporting Successful Migration in the Europe and Central Asia Region, which examines migration patterns and their effects on countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Migration remains a significant issue in Europe and Central Asia, a region home to 100 million migrants, one-third of the world’s total migrant population, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia.

People move across borders in search of better job opportunities, as well as in response to changing demographics, climate change, and conflicts. This trend is expected to continue.

According to the report, most migrants from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan head to Russia, with over 80% of migration from these countries directed there in 2023. Migration from Uzbekistan is more diverse, with 57% of Uzbek migrants residing in Russia, 15% in Kazakhstan, and 10% in Ukraine.

Labor migration plays a crucial role in the economies of Central Asian nations. In 2024, remittances accounted for:

• 45% of Tajikistan’s GDP
• 24% of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP
• 14% of Uzbekistan’s GDP

Many households rely heavily on money sent home by migrants. The report highlights that without remittances, the poverty rate among Kyrgyz households with migrant family members would rise from 10% to 50%, while in Uzbekistan, it would increase from 9.6% to 16.8%. The total volume of remittances sent to Uzbekistan in 2024 reached a record $14.8 billion.

The report underscores the need for improved migration policies, as its full potential remains underutilized. If managed effectively, migration can help address economic and demographic challenges.

The World Bank recommends several measures to enhance migration management:

• Developing tailored strategies for skilled and unskilled workers.
• Integrating labor migration into national economic planning to support growth.
• Implementing policies to mitigate “brain drain” and encourage skilled workers to return home.
• Improving migrant registration and formalizing agreements with destination countries.
• Providing migrants with accurate job information to ensure safer and more organized migration processes.

The report concludes that with the right policies in place, migration has the potential to serve as a powerful tool for economic development in Central Asia.