The Number Of Those Wishing To Move To Russia Has Collapsed To Its Lowest Level In 15 Years

Residents of CIS countries fear sanctions risks.

Russia's attractiveness for relocation among citizens of near and far abroad continues to fall rapidly. In 2025, about 26.7 thousand people moved to the country under the state program of resettlement of compatriots, which is almost 16% less compared to the previous year. This follows from the data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which were studied by "Vedomosti".

The figure for 2025 was the worst since 2010, when 13 thousand people moved to Russia. Also, the number of those who moved last year was almost 3 times less than in pre-war 2021 (78.5 thousand).

Official statistics annually records a decrease in the number of those who moved after the outbreak of war in Ukraine: in 2022 there were 64.8 thousand people, in 2023 - 45.1 thousand, and in 2024 - 31.1 thousand, Last year under the state program in Russia most often moved citizens of Kazakhstan (about 35% of the total number), Kyrgyzstan (almost 11%), Turkmenistan (9.6%), Uzbekistan (9.5%), Tajikistan (9.2%) and Armenia (8.3%). The remaining 17.4%, or 4,645 people, moved from Azerbaijan, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Israel, Georgia, Belarus and Ukraine.

In recent years, the desire of citizens of other countries to move to Russia has been directly influenced by the war in Ukraine, says Konstantin Zatulin, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots. In particular, according to Stanislav Pritchin, head of the Central Asia sector at the IMEMO RAS, residents of CIS countries fear sanctions risks, restrictions on movement around the world, the ability to buy familiar goods and conduct business in Russia.

"Those who do not decide to resettle or obtain a Russian passport for these reasons are obviously holding a pause. Perhaps, when the geopolitical situation stabilizes, we will see a certain stabilization and a trend of compatriots from post-Soviet countries moving to Russia," Pritchin said.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail [email protected]