American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
70
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajsshr
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue02 2025
PAGE NO.
70-72
10.37547/ajsshr/Volume05Issue02-17
Youth labor migration in Uzbekistan
Zaretdinova Nesibeli
Associate Professor of the Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of History, Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh,
Uzbekistan
Khakimniyazova Mavluda
3rd year student of the Sociology department, Faculty of History, Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh, Uzbekistan
Received:
22 December 2024;
Accepted:
24 January 2025;
Published:
26 February 2025
Abstract:
The process of labor migration in Uzbekistan plays a crucial role in shaping the country’s demographic
and economic landscape. This article analyzes the main motives, trends, and consequences of external labor
migration from Uzbekistan. In particular, factors contributing to migration - economic problems, shortage of jobs,
and the search for better living conditions - are considered. In addition, the social and economic impact of
migration, including the experience of returning labor migrants and their contribution to the local economy
through remittances, is also analyzed. The study also examines the policies and programs implemented by the
Government of Uzbekistan to regulate labor migration.
Keywords:
Labor migration, external migration, economic factors, Uzbekistan, remittances, migration policy.
Introduction:
The Republic of Uzbekistan is one of the
largest states in Central Asia, and its youth labor
migration processes play an important role in the
country's economy and social life. In recent years, it has
become common for young people from Uzbekistan to
go abroad in search of work. The Russian Federation,
South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Turkey remain the
primary destinations for young labor migrants from
Uzbekistan.
Among the main factors causing youth labor migration
are limited employment opportunities in the domestic
labor market, high competition, the desire to ensure
economic stability, and high wages abroad. This
process has both positive and negative consequences.
In particular, while remittances sent by young migrants
have a significant positive impact on their families and
the country's economy, there are also problems such as
youth exclusion from education and professional
development, social separation, and violations of labor
rights.
METHODS
As noted by the Chinese researcher Xiang, the topic of
studying the term "labor migrant" is mainly an
invention of modern researchers, designed to be
understood from the point of view of states, especially
recipient countries [1]. According to the English
researcher Cassie, the changes taking place in the labor
market, along with creating opportunities, also create
serious risks. In response, it is necessary to develop
skills in various professional fields and improve social
policy.
In this study, theoretical and analytical methods were
used, and literature analysis, the use of secondary data,
theoretical analysis, and an analytical approach were
chosen as the main methods.
RESULTS
In total, 181,100 individuals emigrated from Uzbekistan
[3]. This is a very high indicator. It is essential to
establish adequate conditions to retain young
professionals and prevent the loss of the primary
workforce. This situation is observed not only within
the framework of the qualitative composition (level of
education), but also represents a loss of the main labor
force. The majority of our population (according to the
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
71
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajsshr
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141)
Statistics Agency, as of January 1, 2023, the number of
young people (14-30 years old) in the republic was
9,654,351 people, which is 26.8% of the total
population) is young people [4]. According to the State
Statistics Committee, in January-June 2022, the total
number of labor resources in Uzbekistan amounted to
19 million 453.3 thousand people [5]. As can be seen,
the majority of the main labor force consists of young
people. Due to the lack of jobs and low monthly
income, young people are leaving for other countries
for labor migration. In Uzbekistan, the desire to create
new business projects through the provision of
services, production, and innovation is significantly
increasing. Young individuals recognize the necessity of
acquiring qualifications to contribute effectively to the
production of competitive goods and services. In
particular, young people returning from working as
labor migrants in the Russian Federation bring back not
only material but also substantial experimental capital
[6]. On measures to improve the system of training
young people in professions (specialties) and foreign
languages In order to ensure the implementation of the
Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
dated April 4, 2024 No. UP-59 "On Additional Measures
to Improve Labor Migration Processes and Support
Persons Temporarily Working Abroad," as well as to
support young people's interest in learning foreign
languages and acquiring a profession, improve the
system of training them as competitive personnel in the
domestic and foreign labor markets, and expand
opportunities for working in foreign countries, the
Cabinet of Ministers decrees[7]. The Decree provides
for the improvement of the system aimed at training
young people as competitive personnel in the domestic
and foreign labor markets. New measures will be
developed aimed at developing the system of teaching
foreign languages to young people, thereby expanding
their opportunities to work abroad, stimulating the
acquisition of a profession, and increasing young
people's interest in their specialty. It will also take on
the task of creating opportunities for Uzbek youth to
work abroad and supporting them. In general, the
Decree provides for the development of professional
and language skills of young people, regulation of labor
migration, and increasing their opportunities to work
abroad.
These
measures
will
increase
the
competitiveness of young people and create
opportunities for them to succeed in the global labor
market.
Labor migration remains the main factor of migration
in the country, as the government of Uzbekistan
continues its efforts to ensure safe, regular, and orderly
labor migration of citizens of Uzbekistan wishing to
work abroad. In January 2024, the President of the
Republic of Uzbekistan instructed the Agency for
External Labor Migration (AEMM) under the Ministry of
Employment and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of
Uzbekistan to train 100,000 workers and qualified
specialists proficient in foreign languages for organized
external labor migration (Presidential Press Service,
2024). Following this, TMMA announced a competition
for 50,000 vacancies in Germany in 2024 in partnership
with foreign employers, including nursing, truck driver,
maintenance of trucks and agricultural machinery,
hotel management, restaurant, work, tourism,
handicrafts, mechatronics, construction, and other
sectors (TMMA, 2024 (a)). In March 2024, TMMA
announced that about 100,000 people would be
recruited on a competitive basis for about 37,000 jobs
in the Republic of Korea in 2024. Employed labor
migrants are employed in manufacturing (22,248
people), agriculture (6,858 people), the service sector
(5,403 people), and construction (2,898 people)
(TMMA, 2024 (b)) [8.1]. These initiatives are an
important step towards protecting the rights of labor
migrants and improving their working conditions.
Additionally, additional training programs are being
introduced to improve the qualifications of Uzbek
citizens working abroad and direct them to higher-level
jobs. In the future, it is planned to expand international
cooperation and create favorable conditions for
migrants for the further development of labor
migration.
According to the Central Bank of the Republic of
Uzbekistan (CB), remittance inflows to the country in
the first quarter of 2024 amounted to $2.5 billion,
which is 8.6% more than the remittance inflow for the
same period in 2023 ($2.3 billion). At the same time,
the share of the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan in
total remittances decreased to 84%, and Russia itself -
to 68%. It should be noted that the share of remittances
sent from the Russian Federation to Uzbekistan in the
total volume of remittances has decreased in recent
years and amounted to 87% in 2022 and 78% in 2023.
(MB, 2024) [8.2]. These trends reflect an ongoing
diversification in the geographical distribution of Uzbek
labor migrants. In recent years, it has been observed
that citizens have the opportunity to work in other
countries of Europe and Asia. At the same time, the
government continues its efforts to open new job
markets for labor migrants and expand international
cooperation.
DISCUSSION
The liberalization of the sphere of external labor
migration has allowed Uzbek labor migrants to become
full-fledged participants in the international labor
market. In particular, in addition to more than ten
adopted
regulatory
legal
acts,
bilateral
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
72
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajsshr
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research (ISSN: 2771-2141)
intergovernmental agreements were concluded in the
field of organizing safe, orderly, and legal labor
migration. New laws are being developed and existing
ones are being amended based on international
standards. Issues related to the prevention of violations
of the rights of labor migrants by employers, the
intensification of labor migration processes and the
increasing participation of young people in it, the active
participation of young people under 30 in the migration
process, the growth of the country's economic
indicators, and their positive impact on temporary
employment were discussed [9]. Such policy measures
contribute to the enhancement of legal protections for
labor migrants and the overall improvement of their
working conditions. At the same time, the expansion of
programs for professional training and teaching foreign
languages to migrants contributes to increasing their
competitiveness in the international labor market.
The results of this study show that the phenomenon of
labor migration among the youth of Uzbekistan is one
of the most pressing issues. Economic, social, and
cultural factors play an important role in the decision of
young people to work abroad. The motives and
influences identified during the study provide a basis
for discussing the following issues:
Economic and social motives: The most important
reason for labor migration among young people is the
constraints in the local labor market and the possibility
of obtaining high incomes abroad. Many respondents
chose to go abroad in order to improve their material
well-being, provide for their families, and improve their
future. However, this process exacerbates the shortage
of qualified personnel in the local economy.
Positive and negative impacts of labor migration:
Positive aspects include the economic independence of
young people, learning foreign languages, and gaining
new experience. Negative impacts are related to the
weakening of family ties, difficulties in adapting to a
foreign society, the weakening of national identity, and
in some cases, discrimination.
CONCLIUSION
The dynamics of youth labor migration in Uzbekistan
are strongly influenced by socio-economic and cultural
determinants. The results of the study show that the
decision of young people to move abroad is mainly
explained by economic reasons, that is, high income,
lack of jobs, and limited opportunities for education.
Factors such as gaining experience abroad, personal
development, and ensuring social stability also play an
important role.
The social impact of labor migration is reflected in two
directions: on the one hand, young people seek higher
incomes and new opportunities, and on the other hand,
this process weakens family ties and creates a risk of
losing cultural and national identity. In the process of
migration, push and pull factors interact and encourage
young people to go abroad.
In conclusion, to manage the phenomenon of labor
migration among the youth of Uzbekistan and reduce
its negative consequences, it is important to expand
social programs by the state, develop the local
economy, and provide social support to young people.
To strengthen the positive impact of migration and
reduce its negative consequences, it is necessary to
implement programs aimed at preserving national
identity.
REFERENCES
McCarthy, J. (2011). Computer Scientist Known as the
Father of AI. Independent. Retrieved March
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/john
-mccarthy-computerscientist-known-as-the-father-of-
ai-6255307.html
Xiang, B. (2014). The Would-Be Migrant: Post-Socialist
Primitive Accumulation, Potential Transnational
Mobility, and the Displacement of the Present in
Northeast China. Trans
–
Regional and National Studies
of Southeast Asia, 2(2), 183
–
199
https://daryo.uz/2023/10/30/ozbekistonning-qaysi-
hududidan-koproq-odam-chetelga-kochib-
ketayotgani-malum-qilindi
https://www.xorazmstat.uz/uz/matbuot-markazi/qo-
mita-yangiliklar/11051 mamlakatimizda-yoshlar-soni-
qancha
https://daryo.uz/2022/09/21/ozbekiston-aholisining-
qanchasi-mehnatga-layoqatliyoshda-ekani-malum-
qilindi
Alimov Sardor Komil o'g'li. Aholi migratsiyasi ijtimoiy-
axloqiy muhit transformatsiyasi omili sifatida. Falsafa
fanlari bo'yicha falsafa doktori (PhD) dissertatsiyasi
avtoreferati. 2022.
http ://library.ziyonet.uz/uz/book/123332
213-
сон 17.04.2024. Yoshlarni kasbga (mutaxassislikka)
va chet tillariga o‘qitish tizimini takomillashtirish chora
-
tadbirlari to‘g‘risida
https://lex.uz/uz/docs/-6887882
O’zbekiston
-migratsiya-vaziyatiga-oid-hisobot-2024-
yil-yanvar-mart(2):
https://sg.docworkspace.com/d/sIOLascmYApOSxr0G
?sa=601.1064
https://daryo.uz/2022/09/21/ozbekiston-aholisining-
qanchasi-mehnatga-layoq
atli-yoshda-ekani-malum-
qilindi
