How War in Ukraine Has Shaped Migration Flows in Central Asia

This policy brief examines the multifaceted impact of the war in Ukraine on migration flows in Central Asia, focusing on the substantial increase in population movement from Russia to Central Asia. This migration surge encompasses both tourism and relocation, with the latter predominantly characterised by high-skilled individuals. Recognising the potential benefits for the economic and technological development of Central Asian countries, national governments are urged to implement comprehensive measures to effectively absorb the influx of high-skilled labor. Meanwhile, though migration from Central Asia to Russia has remained largely stable, it is necessary to keep monitoring existing trends, given the critical role of labour remittances coming from Russia.

Authors:

Aleksey Oshchepkov
School of Business & Economics, Free University of Berlin

Kanat Tilekeyev
Graduate School of Development, University of Central Asia

Christopher Gerry
Graduate School of Development, University of Central Asia