When returning home from working abroad, women bring to Uzbekistan not only financial assistance but also new skills, unique perspectives, and untapped potential for the country's economy. However, there is a need to provide these women with the necessary tools and support for successful adaptation.
To address these issues, the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, together with the Committee on Family and Women and national partners involved in labor migration management, organized a seminar in Tashkent. The event aimed to discuss the experiences of female migrant workers, identify remaining difficulties, and seek practical measures to strengthen their economic reintegration.
Although migration opens up opportunities, the path for women is often associated with specific challenges, including navigating local labor markets and accessing financial resources upon return.
The discussions were based on data and lessons learned during the project implementation, as well as on the practical experience of state institutions and international organizations working to support female labor migrants and returnees.
Umida Abdullaeva, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Family and Women of the Republic of Uzbekistan, noted that comprehensive work is being carried out in Uzbekistan to support migrant families and provide them with multifaceted assistance. She added that, in cooperation with the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, a cascade training program is being implemented, aimed at the economic reintegration of returning women. This program plans to train instructors who will help master in-demand professions, IT skills, and financial literacy.
The seminar served as a joint platform for state structures and international organizations to exchange experiences, discuss current problems, and define practical, gender-sensitive approaches to improving labor migration management and supporting the economic reintegration of women.
Ambassador Anti Karttunen, OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, emphasized the critical importance of cooperation between various stakeholders in forming safe, inclusive, and rights-enhancing migration systems. He stated that effective and gender-sensitive labor migration management lies in creating conditions that allow women to return home confidently, apply the skills and experience acquired abroad, and make a full contribution to the economic and social development of Uzbekistan.
The event also included a panel discussion with representatives of the OSCE POCUZ, the Committee on Family and Women, the Migration Service, the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction, and IOM, focusing on strengthening institutional interaction and improving support services for female labor migrants throughout the migration cycle.
This seminar is part of a two-year project by the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan titled 'Promoting Effective Management of Female Labor Migration and Economic Empowerment of Returnees.' The project supports national partners in strengthening gender-sensitive labor migration management, enhancing institutional interaction, and expanding opportunities for the sustainable economic reintegration of returning women. The project is financed by Germany, Norway, Turkey, and the Republic of Korea.
In the first half of 2026, Uzbekistan's external migration showed a negative balance: the number of citizens who left the country permanently was significantly higher than the number of those who entered.
According to data from the National Committee on Statistics, 1,649 people arrived in Uzbekistan during the period from January to June 2026. At the same time, the country lost 5,422 citizens. This means that the number of departures exceeded the number of arrivals by more than three times.
The largest population outflow was recorded in Karakalpakstan, Tashkent, and Navoi regions. On the other hand, the largest number of arrivals from foreign countries was registered in Tashkent and the Tashkent region.
In addition to international movements, residents of the country are actively changing their place of residence within Uzbekistan. Over the first six months of the current year, 185.6 thousand relocation cases were recorded, of which 183.9 thousand relate to movements between different regions of the country.
The main volume of internal relocations is concentrated in the capital and surrounding territories. 64.5 thousand people entered Tashkent, of whom 63.4 thousand came from other regions of Uzbekistan. Simultaneously, 50.4 thousand people left the capital for other regions or abroad.
A significant flow of internal migrants was also observed in the Tashkent region: 27.1 thousand people moved there in six months, while 18.9 thousand residents left this region.
The statistics indicate that the main migratory activity in the country is driven by internal movements, not international ones. Nevertheless, external migration remains an important factor in changing the population size, as the desire to move to other countries outweighs the number of those who return or choose Uzbekistan for permanent residence.
It is also noted that Uzbek diplomats assisted a family with three children who returned to their homeland after being in a difficult life situation in Russia, with the support of the Migration Agency.
