Tajikistan is stepping up efforts to diversify labor migration routes as it looks for alternatives to its long-standing reliance on Russia as the main destination for its migrant workers.

The Tajik government is actively promoting access to new labor markets in Europe and Asia, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

Tajikistan’s Minister of Labor Soleha Kholmohamadzo said a memorandum has been signed with the Benelux countries, while negotiations are also advancing with Japan and the United Kingdom.

Despite Russia remaining the primary destination-with around 1.2 million Tajik citizens entering the country over the first nine months of last year-officials report a gradual decline in migration flows in that direction.

At the same time, labor migration continues to play a crucial role in Tajikistan’s economy. Remittances from abroad, which accounted for a record 45.4 percent of GDP in 2024, rose by 50 percent in early 2025, underscoring both the scale and sensitivity of the sector.

Under its updated strategy, Dushanbe is targeting employment opportunities in agriculture, construction, and healthcare in developed economies. In parallel, the government is seeking to strengthen the domestic labor market, reporting the creation of around 280,000 new jobs over the past year.