The number of labor migrants from Central Asian countries, including Tajikistan, is increasing in Poland. In the first quarter of 2026, about 6,000 work permits were issued to citizens of Tajikistan, reported Marta Jaroszewicz from the Center for Migration Research at the University of Warsaw, writes EADaily.
Most migrants come for work, but there are also many students among the arrivals.
According to Jaroszewicz, the number of migrants in Poland continues to grow. The main group remains citizens of Ukraine — about 1.5–2 million people, as well as approximately 150,000 citizens of Belarus. Noticeable groups of migrants from Moldova and Georgia also remain.
The expert noted that up to 30,000 migrants from Central Asia currently reside in Poland, and this figure could mark the beginning of more large-scale migration from the region. Most of the arrivals are citizens of Uzbekistan, followed by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
According to Jaroszewicz, in the first quarter of 2026, about 16,000 work permits were issued to citizens of Uzbekistan, 12,000 to Kazakhstan, nearly 8,000 to Kyrgyzstan, and 6,000 to Tajikistan.
Jaroszewicz emphasized that labor migration to Poland mainly remains male. According to her, many migrants from Central Asia are increasingly less willing to work in Russia.
“That is why the number of labor migrants from Central Asia is growing. The fact is that migrants from the region are increasingly less willing to work in Russia. About 80% of those who came to Poland previously worked in Russia. It is very noticeable how Uzbekistan is striving to find new opportunities and build connections so that citizens can go to work in other countries besides Russia,” notes Jaroszewicz.
The expert also believes that in the coming years, the flow of Central Asian citizens to Europe may noticeably increase. This is due to the demographic situation in the region, where the population is growing, and there are many young people and students.
