A 15 percent drop in Central Asian labor migrants to Russia exacerbates a critical workforce deficit in the first half of 2026.
Russia’s labor shortage has worsened after the number of Central Asian migrant workers entering the country fell by 15 percent in the first half of 2026. Official data shows 1.9 million work entries from Central Asian citizens, down from 2.3 million in the same period last year.
The decline deepens an existing labor crisis, with sectors reliant on migrant labor facing acute staffing challenges. Prior years saw steady inflows, but geopolitical and economic factors have reduced migration.
The shortage may pressure wages and inflation, complicating Russia’s economic outlook amid broader stagnation.