LABOR MIGRATION AND SKILL SHORTAGES IN UZBEKISTAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN CAPITAL AND DEVELOPMENT
Keywords:
Uzbekistan, labor migration, skills mismatch, labor shortages, TVET, remittances, human capital.Abstract
Labor migration has become one of the defining socio-economic processes in Uzbekistan, with approximately two million citizens working abroad at various stages of the past decade, while remittances significantly reduce poverty and support household welfare [12; 17]. At the same time, domestic employers increasingly report persistent shortages of qualified personnel, especially in industrial, technical, and service sectors [7; 9; 14]. This study examines the interaction between large-scale external labor migration and skill shortages in Uzbekistan, drawing on Uzbek, Russian, and international expert research. Using a qualitative synthesis of secondary data, the article shows that although migration alleviates short-term employment pressures, it simultaneously contributes to structural skill gaps and limits the modernization of key sectors. The paper concludes with policy recommendations aimed at strengthening vocational education, recognizing skills gained abroad, and promoting circular migration.
