КРАТКИЕ СООБЩЕНИЯ
И ПЕРВЫЙ
ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКИЙ ОПЫТ
BRIEF MESSAGES AND FIRST RESEARCH
EXPERIENCE
Краткое сообщение / Short Communication
УДК: 314.7
DOI: 10.14258/SSI(2022)2-12.
Consequences ofMigration inthe Kyrgyz Republic
Rita B. Salmorbekova
National Academy ofSciences ofthe Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic,
r.salmorbekova@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7580-9694
Abstract. e article is devoted to the problem ofinternal and external migration inthe Kyr-
gyz Republic. A er the collapse ofthe Soviet Union, the Kyrgyz Republic had experienced mass
out-migration ofthe population. e people were forced to migrate during the period chaos to
improve their quality oflife. Basically, inthe early 1990s, the Slavic people from Kyrgyzstan le
for Russia and Kazakhstan. Strong internal migration began in1994, when rural Kyrgyz arrived
from regions to Bishkek, the capital ofKyrgyz Republic. Migration outside the former Soviet Un-
ion began in2000. e vast majority ofKyrgyz went to Turkey, Germany or the USA. us, the
problem ofmigration in the Kyrgyz Republic is not new. is article analyses the results ofa
2019 focus group study. Field research was necessary to assess the e ects ofpopulation migration
and 14 focus groups were conducted inrural areas inthe north ofKyrgyzstan. e results ofthe
research revealed the positive and negative consequences ofthe migration process, re ecting the
Краткие сообщения и первый исследовательский опыт 179
current migration situation inthe north ofKyrgyzstan. In general, the growth ofmigration has
led to new problems insociety: families su er, children are le without parental care and there is
a drain (brain drain) ofthe working age population.
Keywords: migration, migrant, quality, and standard ofliving, society, process, respondent,
focus group
Financial Support: the work was nancially supported by the Ministry ofEducation and Science
ofthe Kyrgyz Republic („Social qualimetry as a basis for improving the social policy ofthe state“).
For citation: Salmorbekova, R. B. (2022). Consequences of Migration inthe Kyrgyz Republic.
Society and Security Insights, 5(2), 178–185. doi: 10.14258/ssi(2022)2-12.
Последствия миграции вКыргызской Республике
Рита Бобуевна Салморбекова
Национальная академия наук Кыргызской Республики, Бишкек, Кыргызская Республика,
r.salmorbekova@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7580-9694
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Для цитирования: Салморбекова Р.Б. Последствия миграции вКыргызской Республике //
Society and Security Insights. 2022. Т. 5, №2. С.178–185. doi: 10.14258/ssi(2022)2-12.
Society andSecurity Insights № 2 2022 180
Introduction
In the Kyrgyz Republic, the modern migration process is accompanied by an out-
ow ofthe population and an increase inexternal labor migration. As a result ofpopu-
lation migration, Kyrgyzstan su ers irreparable losses, the country loses its human po-
tential. Migration is naturally determined by several economic factors such as a decline
inliving standards, a tense situation inthe labor market, and a growing lag interms
of socio-economic development from other CIS countries. External labor migration
ofKyrgyzstan has become signi cant. Based on this, we conducted sociological research
to identify the positive and negative potentials ofthe migration process inKyrgyzstan.
A concept ofthe functions and causes ofrural migration was developed. Accord-
ing to the developed concept, population has accelerating, redistributive and selective
functions.
In the Russian sociological science many socio-demographic, socio-economic,
social, and labor studies are devoted to the problems ofmigration. e school ofT.I.
Zaslavskaya (24) had pioneered instudying migration processes from the standpoint
ofmigration behavior. Certain aspects ofthe migration processes, inparticular the mi-
gration mobility ofthe population and the study ofmigration inthe context ofurban-
ization were developed by B. S. Khorev (1978) and presented inthe works ofadepts
ofhis school. e theoretical works by L.L. Rybakovsky (219) describe the three-stage
migration process, which is a sequential chain ofevents. In Kyrgyzstan, migration issues
were also touched upon by research scientists dealing with the problems ofinternal and
external labor migration. Among them are the works ofA.Sh.Abzhamilova (25).
A.A.Akaev (217), M.A. Mamyrkanov (212), R.B. Salmorbekova (215) and others.
Methodology
is article uses qualitative methodology realized infocus groups with key inform-
ants. e study was carried out in218-219 inrural areas; the eld study covered 14
villages throughout the republic. e research idea was proposed by graduate students
to write a dissertation on the problems ofthe level and quality oflife inrural areas. First,
inOctober-November 219 with the help ofindependent sociologists, a focus group was
held with the participation of168 respondents to identify the set task in14 villages inthe
north ofthe Kyrgyz Republic. e focus group was mainly attended by men and women
from a migrant family over 18 years ofage.
Purpose
e main purpose ofthe research was to identify the positive and negative conse-
quences ofthe migration process by means offocus group discussions (FGDs). A focus
group is a small group ofpeople, all ofsimilar background, who are brought togeth-
er to discuss their thoughts and feelings about a particular topic. Focus group discus-
sions (FGDs) work better when the group is homogenous, that is, when people have a lot
incommon and where there are no big di erences instatus and power.
We should make strong e orts to limit group discussion participants to eight peo-
ple, with a minimum of ve to carry out the discussion.
Краткие сообщения и первый исследовательский опыт 181
FGDs can easily turn into a discussion between the most vocal and con dent mem-
bers ofthe group. erefore, the facilitator must do his or her best to encourage everyone
to speak, without pressuring anyone. Eye contact with all participants and making all
participants feel part ofthe conversation is important. Gentle but direct questions to a
quiet person may be appropriate, but more general comments which can work, are:
• „Some people have been quiet, but may have views to share. Would you like to speak
now?“
• „Some people have been speaking much more than others. Would anyone who has not
spoken like to contribute his or her views?“
e facilitator should encourage people to sit ina circle, so that all members ofthe
group can see each other, including the facilitator. e note-taker should sit somewhere
nearby and should also be able to see all ofthe participants.
Research results
Migration in Kyrgyz Republic has started soon a er the country gained its
independence. As FGD participant said: „First, Russians and other nations who lived
invillage le , and then the number ofpeople who went for migration increased“. Another
FGD participant comments that internal migration started in 1994 and external
migration has started in1995-1996. ose migrants le for Russia and Kazakhstan. She
also added that from 2 migration started beyond the boundaries offormer USSR.
Most ofthem went to Turkey, Germany or USA.
e villagers resort to migration because oflack ofjobs, or if anyone has got a job
then salary is very low, thus the life conditions are quite di cult and they cannot feed
their families properly. One FGD participant described: „we had a teacher ofPhysics,
and he went to work inshaar (city, reference here to Bishkek) because ofhis low salary. But
there he could not earn more either and could not feed his children. Now, he is inRussia
and working by o ering private tuition, and he is earning good money“. Another FGD
participant commented: „My sister went to Turkey, and now she is working there, and her
life conditions improved“.
e migrants are away for a long period oftime as a rule. One FGD participant
said: „My sister le abroad ten years ago. Some migrants are getting citizenship there and
working ingood jobs“.
Both men and women go for migration from Kyrgyz Republic. Women are also
going abroad for the same reasons as the men do: lack ofjobs, low salary, and poor
living conditions. A FGD participant gave explanation as to why the number ofwomen
migrants has increased: „More women are now going for migration, because the migrant
women are not harassed by the locals there, for example by the nationalists / skinheads
(in Russia). e men are o en beaten up“. Another FGD participant mentioned about the
atrocities against the migrants: „My neighbor went to Russia with his newly married wife
and they worked there for 12 years and then they wanted to return to Kyrgyzstan with all
the money they had earned. But unfortunately, some crook people had been following them
and they knew that this family had a lot ofmoney, they broke into their apartment and
killed both husband and wife infront oftheir 3-year old son. Other 12 Kyrgyz migrants
Society andSecurity Insights № 2 2022 182
who knew the family well, collected money to send the child and dead couple to Kyrgyzstan.
ey arrived a er eight days“.
Regarding the ages ofthe migrants, a FGD participant said: „ e migrants ages
range from 20 to 45, thus they are capable ofdoing hard manual jobs“.
It is di cult to nd money to become migrant. Some FGD witnesses: „My sister
borrowed money from di erent people when she was leaving“, „My brother also borrowed
money and migrated, but he returned the money quite soon“.
Many migrants cannot nd jobs according to their specialties. Most ofthem work
inconstruction and services: „My brother worked as a police o cer here, but inRussia he
is now working as a butcher“, „My sister was a teacher ofmathematics, but she is working
as a baby-sitter inRussia“. But there are some migrants who can nd jobs according to
their specialties: „My sister worked as a medical doctor here, and now she is working as
medical personnel inUSA too“, „My younger brother is a teacher by profession and he is
now working as a teacher inRussia. He said that they have shortage ofteachers inrural
Russia“, „My sister is a nurse by profession and she is working according to her profession
inRussia“.
Some migrants also take their children with them. As FGD participant explains:
„ e migrants take their children with them. I have kuda (son-in-law) inTomsk. ey
have small child who now goes to kindergarten there. ey say that their life is good and
there are many Kyrgyz families there. ey had some di culty with the Russian language
initially“.
Migrants face many di culties abroad. ey are hired by someone to work and
everything which surrounds them is di erent. ey also miss their relatives whom they
leave behind. e villagers are getting used to the migrant family members staying away
for a long period oftime. Migrants miss their children who are le behind. But they stay
there because they want to earn money and improve their life quality. As FGD participant
said: „My brother-in-law stayed behind and he is looking a er their children now“. Poor
migrants are having a lot ofdi culties there, but they always tell that everything is okay
with them. We know their di culties and how everything is a ecting their health. We
always worry about them.
e migrants come back to visit their families whenever they can. A FGD participant
said: „My sister-in-law le to Germany and she visits us once a year“. Another opinion:
„My younger sister le four years ago and she hasn’t come back yet. Every family has got a
migrant family member now“.
e villagers communicate with their migrant relatives by phone. A FGD participant
explained: „It has become easy to contact them. We speak with them almost every day.
ey normally call us“. Another FGD participant said: „We also communicate with SMS.
ey can also send their photos to us via mobile phones“.
e migrants send remittance to their relatives through banks. One FGD participant
said: „ ey send money whenever we need it“, and another FGD participant added: „Our
relative sends money every month. So, we know which day he will send us and how the
money will be used. ey also tell us to use the money for which needs“. e villagers are
also purchasing land or house for the money sent to them. According to a FGD history:
Краткие сообщения и первый исследовательский опыт 183
„My brother-in-law sends money to his family during holidays such as Nooruz, New Year
and others“.
e villagers do not have any problems with accessing the banks and getting the
remittances. One FGD participant said: „ ere are no problems with sending money to us,
and we go there and get money at the bank“. One more FGD participant observed: „It has
become so easy for us. We just get money from the bank, instead ofworrying about what
happened to the money which is sent by someone, is the money going to reach me safely?“
e remittances are used for various purposes. One FGD participant reported:
„When they are sending money, they instruct us how to use it. For example, they tell us
that we should buy a sheep or cow“. Another FGD participant added: „Now they send
money and tell us that we should pay credit back“. ey also send money for organizing
feasts or weddings, according to another respondent. Migrants also send money for their
children’s needs, for example, for their food, clothes and education.
ere is a general belief that migration is a ecting the villagers’ lives positively.
A FGD participant said: „My sister went to Russia and from there to Israel and she now
got married there and she is living well. e Kyrgyz always want to improve their life and
she is trying to further improve“. us, migration is improving the life conditions ofthe
migrants and their relatives.
e migrants are also a ecting the youth inthe village. e young people also
want to go abroad to work. Some people who already le are inviting the villagers who
are here. ere is increase ofnumber ofmigrants during last ve years. As participant
ofFGD expressed on migration: „ ey hear news from each other, and hear that some
people have improved their lives because ofmigration and thus they also join them. More
young people want to go for migration“.
e young FGD participants of both sexes also responded to the questions on
migration. Opinions were not the same. A young girl said: „Young girls are going to
migration to earn money“. Another young girl mentioned: „I don’t want to leave abroad.
Many young people with diplomas do not have jobs, to nd a job one needs to pay bribe at
least one thousand dollars. erefore, young people are going for migration“. A young boy
however stated: „I haven’t heard ofanyone who made a fortune by being a migrant. I also
spent one year inKazakhstan where I paid for an apartment and then to police o cers and
came back without money“.
us, as shown by the results ofthe study, the destruction ofthe family and family
relations oflabor migrants became a negative factor. ere is a violation ofthe social
integrity ofthe family and family relations, deformation offamily values and traditions,
an increase inthe number ofstreet children, and juvenile delinquency. e local
community and the remaining families are faced with the situation ofan incomplete
family, which leads to a change in the functional system, the role, and mechanism
ofupbringing and education ofchildren, the younger generation is formed inisolation
from parental education. ese and other di culties, however, do not stop migrants
from looking for work. Working abroad allowed most ofthem to improve the nancial
situation oftheir families, and for the republic itself, among the main economic e ects
was a reduction inthe de cit ofbalances ofpayments due to the receipt ofremittances.
Society andSecurity Insights № 2 2022 184
Conclusion
e results ofthe work are that migration has a positive e ect on the life ofthe
villagers. us, migration improves the living conditions ofmigrants and their relatives.
e migration process a ects young people. Young people also want to go abroad to
work and learn about the world. Over the past ve years, there has been an increase
inthe number ofmigrants. Many with higher education diplomas go abroad due to
unemployment. As the results ofthe study have shown, there are positive and negative
consequences ofmigration. e research results can be used inthe eld ofthe socio-
political, economic, and psychological study ofthe problem ofmigration.
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Zaslavskaya, T.I. (24). Contemporary Russian society. Social mechanism oftransfor-
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Краткие сообщения и первый исследовательский опыт 185
. 215. 22. .11–118.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ИНФОРМАЦИЯ ОБАВТОРЕ
Rita B. Salmorbekova— Dr. Sci. (Sociology), Professor ofthe National Academy
ofSciences ofthe Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
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The article was submitted 12.05.2022;
approved after reviewing 26.05.2022;
accepted for publication 01.06.2022.
Статья поступила вредакцию 12.05.2022;
одобрена после рецензирования 26.05.2022;
принята кпубликации 01.06.2022.
