More than a million citizens of Tajikistan work abroad, representing nearly one in ten people in the country. Their remittances home account for almost half of the nation’s GDP, yet their real-life stories and struggles remain largely invisible in the official statistics. Despite their significant role in sustaining the national economy, the government does not disclose data on the number of migrants or the volumes of money they send back home. For more details, see the full article by Azattyk Asia.
“The cold was piercing, but I took any job”
In the early 2000s, Mahmadali Abdullozoda, at 43 years old, packed his bag and left for Russia, not realizing that the path he was taking would become a family legacy. Hailing from Nurek, a town in Tajikistan’s energy sector, he needed work to support his wife and three children after the civil war left limited job opportunities at home.
"I worked in Novosibirsk, where the winter cold cuts to the bone. I took any job—installing electrical systems, unloading construction materials. Once a month, I sent money home, and once every year or two, I would visit for a short break," Mahmadali recalls about his life in Siberia.
After almost 15 years of enduring harsh conditions, health problems forced him to return to Nurek, where he had managed to build a house and ensure his children’s education. Today, his children and grandchildren are continuing the cycle of migration to Russia, working in warehouses and sending money back every month.
The scope of labor migration
Tajikistan’s migration story is not unique. Thousands of families across the country rely on labor migration to survive, build homes, send their children to school, or simply provide for their basic needs.
In early October, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a press conference in Dushanbe, confirmed that over a million Tajik citizens are working in Russia, roughly one in ten Tajiks. Given that the country’s population exceeds 10.6 million, and the working-age population is around 5.8 million, this means that nearly one in six Tajik adults works abroad. However, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, standing alongside Putin, did not comment on this figure.
Government silence on migration statistics
Despite the massive economic contribution of Tajik migrants, the government does not publish any data on the number of migrant workers or the amounts they remit. The situation stands in stark contrast to the critical role these workers play in sustaining the economy. According to the World Bank, remittances from migrants made up 45% of Tajikistan’s GDP in 2024, the highest proportion globally. Last year, nearly $5.8 billion was sent back to the country from abroad.
Facing adversity in Russia
Russia has been the primary destination for Tajik migrant workers for decades. Despite the recent recruitment of Central Asian nationals for the war in Ukraine, racially motivated attacks, and increased crackdowns following the 2022 terrorist attack in Moscow's “Crocus City Hall,” many Tajiks continue to seek employment in Russia.
Rahmatullo Sobirov, a 26-year-old Tajik, returned home after five years in Moscow, where he had initially gone to earn money and support his family. "I went to Russia temporarily to earn money, get back on my feet, and then return," says Rahmatullo, who opened an auto service business in the Roudaki district near Dushanbe with his savings. He reflects on his decision to leave journalism studies at the National University and go to work: “Circumstances forced me to leave, and in 2020, I went to Moscow, where I worked as a laborer.”
Though the pandemic slowed work, Rahmatullo adapted, working with two car mechanics, learning the trade, and eventually starting his own business. “Now, I earn as much here at home as I did in Russia,” he says proudly.
Kazakhstan: a growing alternative
Kazakhstan, the wealthiest country in Central Asia, is the second most popular destination for Tajik labor migrants. According to Ranking.kz, as of October 2025, there were over 185,000 registered Tajik migrant workers in Kazakhstan, with many employed in low-wage, physically demanding jobs.
Farhod, a 50-year-old Tajik, has lived in Almaty for years, working as a vegetable vendor. "I pay taxes, I work, I have my own car and house," he says while setting up his stall. Farhod, who initially migrated to Russia for better earnings, found that while life was easier in Kazakhstan, he preferred the more welcoming environment for migrants. "In Kazakhstan, the locals are friendly. In Russia, it’s different. Here, I can take advice from my neighbors, and my children are well-received at school."
The hidden economy of migration
Experts note that Central Asia has become a vital part of the global labor migration market, with an entire migration industry supporting the movement of workers across borders. This includes banks and money transfer systems, airlines, logistics services, mobile operators, recruitment agencies, and governments that collect fees for visas and work permits.
However, despite the enormous economic role of labor migration, the full extent of these flows remains hidden from public view. "Migration statistics are a political tool. Governments shape the narrative by emphasizing either an overabundance or shortage of migrants, often ignoring their personal struggles or experiences of discrimination," says an expert in migration policy.
The reluctance to disclose migration statistics could be linked to the fact that open acknowledgment of the economy's dependence on remittances might be perceived as a sign of weakness, suggesting that the state is unable to provide sufficient domestic employment opportunities.
"This is a sensitive issue for authorities," adds an economic analyst from Dushanbe. "Official recognition of the scale of migration undermines the narrative of 'growth' and 'prosperity' promoted by state media. That’s why they prefer to downplay or avoid public discussion about migration."
