Remittances to Uzbekistan rise 13% despite falling share from Russia

According to the Central Bank's latest labor market review, total remittance inflows reached $3.8 billion during the January–March period, up 13% compared with the same quarter of 2025.

Russia remained the largest source of remittances, but its share fell from 77.6% a year earlier to 72.4%, equivalent to $2.75 billion. The Central Bank attributed the decline to higher patent fees introduced at the beginning of the year, the relative depreciation of the Russian ruble in March, and the continuing diversification of labor migration destinations.

At the same time, remittance inflows from several other countries increased their share of the total. Kazakhstan's contribution rose from 3.1% to 4.1%, reaching $155.8 million, while South Korea's share also increased from 3.5% to 4.1%, or $155.8 million. European countries accounted for 3.3% of total remittances, up from 2.3%, with transfers totaling $125.4 million. The combined share of all other countries climbed from 13.6% to 16.2%, equivalent to $615.6 million.

The report also points to a gradual shift in the geography of Uzbek labor migration.

The number of Uzbek citizens working in Russia under the country's patent system stood at 1.34 million in the first quarter, down 8.8% from the previous quarter and 1.8% lower than a year earlier. According to the Central Bank, the decline reflects both seasonal factors and changing conditions in foreign labor markets.

Meanwhile, employment in other destinations continued to expand. The number of official work permits issued to Uzbek citizens in Turkey approached 70,000 in the first quarter, marking a 14% increase year-on-year. The Uzbek community in South Korea also continued to grow steadily, reaching 99,600 people.

Overall, international mobility remained on an upward trajectory. During the first quarter, 1.63 million Uzbek citizens traveled abroad, an increase of 11.6% compared with the same period last year. Air passenger traffic also rose sharply, with the number of passengers carried increasing by 32% to 2.25 million.