Changing patterns of labour migration in Tajikistan

This paper looks at the impact of changing patterns of labour migration in Tajikistan. Labour migration plays a decisive role in keeping Central Asian economies afloat, but the economic crisis and the ensuing shrinking labour market in Russia, where the majority of Tajik migrants are employed, are creating a new set of challenges for both migrants and locals alike.

The considerable drop in remittances from migrants – and their return to local economies that have limited abilities to absorb them – could cause a larger social, humanitarian and potentially political crisis in the region, and in Tajikistan in particular.

This complicated socio-economic and geopolitical situation increases the significance of research initiatives intended to explore the situation, define the most pressing issues and develop a set of innovative approaches for their peaceful resolution.