The Russian Federation maintains its status as the largest labor market for citizens of Central Asian countries, particularly Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Alexander Sternik, Director of the Third CIS Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, noted that geographical proximity and cultural-linguistic ties make Russia the primary choice for migrants.
According to the Agency for External Labor Migration of Uzbekistan, the total number of Uzbek citizens working abroad reaches between 1.1 and 1.2 million. More than half of them are employed in the Russian Federation.
Official statements note that despite a partial decline in the number of labor migrants from key donor countries, the Russian labor market remains the most important destination for Uzbek citizens. Programs for organized recruitment are also being actively utilized. Specifically, according to the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment of Tajikistan, more than 30,000 citizens went to work in Russia under this program in 2025, which is 12,000 more than in the previous year.
