Middle East & Central Asia News
LAST UPDATE: June 26, 2025
Migrant money from Russia a lifeline for Central Asia
Remittances from migrant workers in Russia reached an all‑time high of about $3 billion in Kyrgyzstan—around 25% of its GDP—supporting domestic consumption and households, per AFP .
Insight
The heavy reliance on remittances highlights economic dependency risks in Central Asia—beneficial now, but vulnerable to shifts in Russian migration policy or economic performance. Diversification is urgently needed.
