Return Migration From Russia to Kyrgyzstan: Dynamics, Causes, and Structure

  • Galina I. Osadchaya Institute for Demographic Research of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2597-9724
  • Tatyana N. Yudina Institute for Demographic Research of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7785-8601
  • Olga A. Volkova Institute for Demographic Research of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5325-0730
  • Egor Yu. Kireev Institute for Demographic Research of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5441-0430
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15826/csp.2023.7.3.244

Abstract

The study’s significance lies in the need for comprehensive information on return labor migration from Russia to Kyrgyzstan and the profiles of return migrants, which would allow us to anticipate spatial mobility in the future. This is particularly relevant due to Russia’s interest in new migrants as essential labor force to address the demographic crisis. The Kyrgyzstani government also requires these data to prevent unemployment among return migrants. This paper aims to assess return migration dynamics and its structure, uncover the causes, goals, and reasons for recurrent migration to Russia, and examine the expectations of Russia’s social and migration policy during the special military operation. The empirical analytical base comprises the results of a questionnaire survey of 515 return migrants and focused in-depth interviews with 37 return migrants in Kyrgyzstan in October–November 2022, as well as a questionnaire survey of 425 labor migrants and focused interviews with 52 labor migrants in November–December 2022 in Moscow. The findings indicate that return migration is voluntary and spontaneous. The official estimate of the scope of return migration, as well as the prospects of labor migration to Russia after February 24th, 2022 and the imposition of anti-Russian sanctions, remains unclear. The structure of return migration aligns with the structure of labor migration in Russia in terms of gender, age, and employment sectors. The motivation behind the decision to return has a cumulative effect. However, most respondents cited personal and family issues as the main reasons for return migration. Approximately 30% of respondents, regardless of gender, attributed the special military operation and the worsening economic situation in Russia as reasons for returning to their home country. About 22% of respondents envision recurrent migration to Russia in the near future, while around 30% have not yet decided. Labor migrants seek institutional support from Russia, including assistance in preparing registration documents, social insurance provision, removal of administrative obstacles for employment, and the creation of favorable conditions for adaptation.

Author Biographies

Galina I. Osadchaya, Institute for Demographic Research of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Galina I. Osadchaya, Dr. Sci. (Sociology), specialist in the field of social change, social sphere, Eurasian integration of migration, social policy, migration policy, social cohesion, and sociology of lifestyle. She is the author of 400 scientific papers, 40 monographs, including of her sole authorship. Her recent publications include the following: Osadchaya, G. I., Migrants From Uzbekistan in the Moscow Agglomeration: Assessment of Migration Experience (2023); Osadchaya, G. I. (coauthored), Non-Profit Organizations of Tuva as Subjects of Demographic Policy Implementation (2023); Osadchaya, G. I. (coauthored), Identifying the Dynamics of Changes in Russia’s Human Potential in the Context of the Experience of Eurasian Integration (2022).

Tatyana N. Yudina, Institute for Demographic Research of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Tatyana N. Yudina, Dr. Sci. (Sociology), specialist in the field of sociology of socio-demographic processes, population health problems, social policy, social inequality, sociology of migration, migration policy, Eurasian integration. She is the author of more than 350 scientific papers. Her recent publications: Yudina, T. (coauthored), The Armenian Diaspora in Social Networks (2023); Yudina, T. (coauthored), Institutional Problems of Modern Russian Society (2023); Yudina, T. (coauthored), Young Women From Kyrgyzstan in the Moscow Metropolis (2023); Yudina, T. (coauthored), Kyrgyz Youth in the Moscow Agglomeration: Adaptation Strategies (2023).

Olga A. Volkova, Institute for Demographic Research of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Olga A. Volkova, Dr. Sci. (Sociology), specialist in the theory and methodology of sociology, professional identity, sociology and psychology of social work, social protection, non-profit organizations, and Eurasian integration. Her recent publications: Volkova, O. (coauthored), The Role of the Digital Diaspora in Overcoming the Vulnerability of Migrants in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Case of Moldovan Migrants) (2022); Volkova, O., Activities of Non-Profit Organizations Providing Medical and Social Assistance to Migrants in the Conditions of COVID-19 (2022).

Egor Yu. Kireev, Institute for Demographic Research of the Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Egor Yu. Kireev, Cand. Sci. (Sociology), specialist in the sociology of digital culture, social cohesion, and Eurasian integration. The list of his recent publications includes: Kireev, E. (coauthored), Eurasian Societies in the Focus of Young Sociologists (2022); Kireev, E., Migrants From Central Asia and Internet Services During the Breakdown of Digital Reality in Russia (2022); Kireev, E. (coauthored), Social Cohesion of the Armenian Diaspora in Russia: Theory and Practice of Measurement (2022); Kireev, E., Formation of the Social Memory of the Youth of the Participating States of the Eurasian Integration (2021).

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Published
2023-10-06
How to Cite
Osadchaya, G., Yudina, T., Volkova, O., & Kireev, E. (2023). Return Migration From Russia to Kyrgyzstan: Dynamics, Causes, and Structure. Changing Societies & Personalities, 7(3), 122–140. doi:10.15826/csp.2023.7.3.244
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Vol. 7, No. 3 (2023)
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Articles