According to statistical data from the Interior Ministry of the Russian Federation about the migration situation in the country, about 87,000 nationals of Tajikistan have got Russian citizenship over the first six months of this year, which is 13,000 more compared to the same period last year.
Over the reporting period, almost 500 Tajiks have received Russian citizenship every day, Central Asian News Service reported on July 25.
The Russian Interior Ministry notes that the number of people seeking to get Russian citizenship is significantly decreasing.
According to statistical data from the Russian Interior Ministry, more than 205,000 people have got Russian citizenship over the first six months of this year, which is 382,000 fewer than in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, according to official data, the number of Tajiks seeking to get Russian citizenship has grown over the past three years.
Despite the economic hardship that Russia is enduring as a result of its so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine, a growing number of Tajiks are nevertheless seeking to adopt Russian citizenship.
According to figures from Russia’s Interior Ministry, around 174,000 people with origins in Tajikistan received Russian citizenship in 2022. That is a sharp increase from almost 104,000 in 2021. The year before that, around 63,400 Tajiks chose to become Russian nationals.
Russia is historically a strong destination for people seeking to leave Tajikistan, where well-paid employment is sparse.
Tajiks are permitted by the constitution to have dual Russia-Tajik citizenship, although there are some unspoken restrictions. People with Russian passports may not, in theory, hold government posts in Tajikistan, for example.
Some experts say Tajiks choose Russian citizenship because they consider that it gives them access to better employment opportunities and accordingly to a better quality of life. Besides, Russian citizenship reportedly gives their children access to quality education and free quality medicine.
However, Russian citizenship holds grave risks too. In February this year, recipients of that status have reportedly been prioritized for military mobilization as the Kremlin forges ahead with its offensives against Ukraine.
