In early March 2025, World Bank experts presented a new study analyzing current migration trends, challenges, and opportunities in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region. The report presentation was attended by representatives of government agencies responsible for regulating external migration, as well as experts from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Labor migration remains one of the key sources of income for millions of Central Asian citizens. As of 2024, remittances from labor migrants accounted for 45% of Tajikistan’s GDP—the highest share in the world in relative terms. In Kyrgyzstan, remittances made up 24% of GDP, while in Uzbekistan, they accounted for 14% of GDP.
In particular, in Kyrgyzstan, the poverty rate among households receiving remittances is less than 10%, whereas without these transfers, it would exceed 50%. In Uzbekistan, estimates suggest that without remittances, the poverty rate would increase from 9.6% to 16.8%.
As part of this study, specialists from “Zerkalo Central Asia” surveyed 5,500 households across the country. The survey questionnaire included 16 modules, with an average interview duration of 1.5 hours. Additionally, 4,000 labor migrants working abroad were interviewed via phone calls, WhatsApp, and Zoom.
We are proud of our team’s ability to conduct such large-scale and comprehensive research!
The full World Bank report “The Journey Ahead: Supporting Successful Migration in Europe and Central Asia” is available at: World Bank.
