Policymakers, international organizations, and business leaders gathered in Tashkent for the International Migration Forum to address a pressing challenge: Europe's shrinking workforce and the potential role of Central Asia in filling critical labor gaps. The discussions highlighted how demographic trends are reshaping migration policies across the continent.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an intergovernmental UN agency, approximately 304 million people lived outside their country of birth in 2024—nearly double the figure recorded in 1990. This global mobility is increasingly seen as a strategic resource for European economies facing low birth rates and aging populations.
Europe's Demographic Dilemma
Across the European Union, from Berlin to Madrid, sectors such as agriculture, construction, healthcare, and services are struggling to find workers. Arthur Erken, IOM regional director for Europe and Central Asia, underscored the urgency: "Europe actually needs workers because of the demographic decline, low fertility, and aging population."
Greta Metka Barbo Skerbinc, director general of the Employment Service of Slovenia, framed labor migration as an economic imperative. "We have to find proper migrants from illegal economic migrants in other countries because otherwise our economy will not grow anymore," she said. Her remarks reflect a broader shift among EU member states toward legal recruitment systems and bilateral agreements designed to reduce irregular migration while meeting workforce demands.
Remittances sent home by migrant workers continue to play a vital role in origin countries, supporting household spending, housing, and small business investment. This mutual benefit is driving closer cooperation between Europe and Central Asia.
Central Asia's Strategic Shift
Central Asian nations, particularly Uzbekistan, are actively building state-managed migration systems focused on training and overseas employment. Uzbekistan reports that over 1.2 million of its citizens currently work abroad, with remittances reaching nearly $19 billion (€17.5 billion) in 2025. Authorities are investing in language education, vocational training, and formal recruitment partnerships with foreign employers.
Elyor Toshtemirov, deputy director of Uzbekistan's Migration Agency, outlined the country's approach: "We prepare our citizens as medium- and high-skilled workers, providing language training and vocational training." He added that the system includes pre-departure preparation, professional training, language education, legal employment abroad, and reintegration support upon return.
Italian agricultural organizations are already collaborating with Uzbek authorities on recruitment and training programs. Luca Brondelli di Brondello, vice president of Confagricoltura of Italy, emphasized the importance of preparation: "It's very important to train people here in Uzbekistan. They learn Italian, they arrive in Italy, they already have some basis."
This model mirrors broader trends across the continent. For instance, the Brexit re-enters UK Labour leadership contest as parties debate post-Brexit immigration policies, highlighting how labor shortages are reshaping political discourse even outside the EU.
Focus on Legal Pathways and Worker Protection
European and Central Asian officials stressed the importance of reducing risks linked to irregular migration, including labor exploitation and recruitment fraud. Konstantin Obolensky, ambassador of Switzerland to Uzbekistan, noted that Swiss-supported programs focus on safe and regulated migration systems. "Our goal is to support labor migrants so they can migrate in an orderly and safe way," he said.
Obolensky warned that many migrants remain vulnerable to fake job offers and fraudulent schemes. "People are often exposed to fake invitations and false promises. Very often they have already paid a lot of money to criminals who were not real employers."
The forum also touched on environmental pressures that could drive further migration. The Caspian Sea shrinking poses ecological challenges for Central Asian nations, potentially affecting livelihoods and migration patterns in the region.
As Europe grapples with its demographic future, partnerships with Central Asia offer a pragmatic pathway. By investing in legal migration channels and worker protection, both sides can address labor shortages while upholding rights and dignity. The Tashkent forum underscored that this cooperation is not just about filling jobs—it is about building sustainable systems for a continent in transition.
