Tajik citizens working in Russia transferred over US$1.8 billion to their home country in 2024, according to Yuri Ushakov, Assistant to the President of Russia. Speaking to journalists, Ushakov highlighted the significant contribution of migrant workers to Tajikistan's economy.
"Approximately 1.2 million citizens of Tajikistan work in Russia, which accounts for 16% of all foreign workers in the country. In 2024, remittances sent by these workers exceeded US$1.8 billion, which represents 17% of Tajikistan's GDP," Ushakov said. "This is a key aspect of the cooperation between our two nations."
The topic of migration is expected to be a central focus of Russian President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to Tajikistan, which began on October 8. The Russian delegation, led by Putin, includes Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, who will participate in discussions on migration issues.
Putin’s visit, which holds the status of a state visit, is set to address major areas of bilateral cooperation, including political, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian relations.
Earlier, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), citing the World Bank, reported that remittances to Tajikistan in 2024 totaled $5.8 billion, marking a 27% increase compared to 2023. According to the IOM report, remittances made up 45% of Tajikistan’s GDP last year, a 6 percentage point increase from the previous year. Though the report did not specify the countries sending remittances, it noted that Russia remains the primary destination for Tajik migrants.
In addition to Russia, the report highlighted the employment of Tajik nationals in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and South Korea.
Labor migrants are still a critical component in the economy of Tajikistan. Remittances keep many families at home above the poverty line, and help to alleviate the stress caused by a lack of domestic job opportunities.
