Up To One Mn Labour Migrants May Leave Russia

In 2025, around one mn labour migrants may leave Russia, as stated by Andrei Kladov, the director of the Migrants Service platform, in an interview with journalists.

According to the expert, the determining factor will be the salary level. Currently, foreign workers are seeking to earn around $1,500 per month. If the income levels in the Russian market fail to meet their expectations, migrants will move to other countries.

Additionally, the attractiveness of working in Russia is reduced by stricter migration laws, deportations, and the introduction of new restrictions for foreigners. According to Kladov, over 80,000 migrants were deported from the country last year.

Amid this outflow of labour, many industries will face a shortage of workers. Businesses with a high proportion of foreign employees will be most affected. To retain staff, employers will have to raise wages, improve working conditions, and create a more favourable environment for foreigners.

In 2024, the number of migrants arriving in Russia from other CIS countries fell by 16.1% compared to the previous year. The influx of migrants from Tajikistan decreased significantly, while citizens of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have started arriving in Russia more frequently.