Russia’s Labor Shortage Worsens as Central Asian Workers Stay Away

Russia's labor shortage continues to worsen due to a significant decline in the influx of Central Asian workers. According to a Vedomosti analysis of government data, Central Asian labor migration to Russia dropped by roughly 15% in the first half of 2026, with official entries for work purposes falling to 1.9 million, down from 2.3 million the previous year.

The majority of Central Asian guest workers, 1.1 million, came from Uzbekistan. The Kremlin has increased barriers to employment for these workers, citing stricter migration policies and higher costs for work permits and medical certifications. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has actively tried to steer migrants away from Russia, creating diplomatic positions at embassies in various countries to promote tourism and labor migration.

In 2024, Uzbekistan launched a strategy to regulate labor migration and secure higher-paying, skilled positions abroad. Remittance figures show that Uzbek workers sent home $3.8 billion in Q1 2026, a 13% increase over the same period the previous year. Despite Russia remaining the primary source of remittances, its share fell to 72%, down from 78% in the same period the previous year.

As Russia faces a significant labor shortage, especially in the wake of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the country's civic services are expected to suffer. The unemployment rate is estimated at 2%, a level that many economists believe fuels rapid inflation. The Central Bank has stated that the lack of workers remains a primary threat to price stability.