Kyrgyzstan: immigration

What is the population of Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan's resident population was 7,404,300 at the start of 2026, up from 7,281,800 a year earlier, according to the National Statistical Committee. Bishkek had 1,358,600 residents and Osh city 484,900.

The estimate starts from the 2022 population and housing census and adds births, subtracts deaths and adjusts for registered migration. Growth of about 1.7% a year comes almost entirely from births exceeding deaths. Labour migrants who keep their residence registration in Kyrgyzstan are still counted as residents.

Official sources: National Statistical Committee table: Resident population at the beginning of the year

How many people emigrate from Kyrgyzstan?

Kyrgyzstan's registered net migration outflow was 15,426 people in 2025, up from 11,208 in 2024, according to the National Statistical Committee. 17,965 people arrived from abroad to live, 14,422 of them from Russia.

These figures count only people who formally register a change of permanent residence. They do not include labour migrants who work abroad but keep their registration in Kyrgyzstan. The Committee publishes arrivals and departures by country and ethnic group in tables 5.01.00.14 and 5.01.00.15.

Official sources: National Statistical Committee table: Net migration, outflow on external migration · National Statistical Committee table: External migration by state of arrival

How many refugees are in Kyrgyzstan?

UNHCR counted 1,150 refugees and 1,981 asylum seekers in Kyrgyzstan at the end of 2025, plus 526 stateless people, according to its population statistics. At the end of 2024 it counted 23,678 refugees.

UNHCR figures combine government and UNHCR registration data and are updated once a year. A change in how a group is classified can move the totals sharply. In the other direction, UNHCR counted 3,337 refugees and 8,072 asylum seekers from Kyrgyzstan in other countries at the end of 2025.

Official sources: UNHCR population statistics: Kyrgyzstan as host country · UNHCR population statistics: Kyrgyzstan as country of origin

How many foreign-born people live in Kyrgyzstan?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 2.7%. In 2015 the figure was 3.4%. It is 46th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.7%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 118th highest.

What is net migration in Kyrgyzstan?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in Kyrgyzstan at 1,815 in 2025. The peak was 54,704 in 2020 and the low -64,404 in 2008. It is 23rd highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 158. World rank, highest first: 57th of 193.

How many refugees does Kyrgyzstan host?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 1,150. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 27,790; its low point was 2022, at 274. It is 45th highest of 50 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 62,365. World rank, highest first: 124th of 169.

How many people from Kyrgyzstan are refugees?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Kyrgyzstan was 3,337 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 3,490; its low point was 2007, at 2,257. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 533, and Kyrgyzstan placed 16th highest of 49. World rank, highest first: 84th of 189.

How big are remittances in Kyrgyzstan's economy?

According to the World Bank, personal remittances received in Kyrgyzstan was 17.6% of GDP in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 12.7% of GDP (2005) to 32.6% of GDP (2021). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.3% of GDP, and Kyrgyzstan placed 2nd highest of 48. Worldwide: 13th of 156.