Labor Migration and Its Impact on Families in Kyrgyzstan: a Qualitative Study

Labor migration has surged in the former Soviet countries such as Kyrgyzstan because of multiple crises that the country faced since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Migration has produced broad impacts on most aspects of life in Kyrgyzstan and is transforming family life in myriad ways. Based on in-depth interviews with members of migrating families, this study explores the impact of labor migration on families from Kyrgyzstan and identifies issues that arise at the intersection of migration and family life. The experiences of migrants and their family members were examined (N = 20). The results revealed that decisions of who would migrate were made jointly among extended families and were driven by economic needs. Migration incurred number of trade-offs and challenges for families, especially separation of family members and additional responsibilities placed on those who remain at home. The study contributes to our understanding of the family level consequences of labor migration, providing a nuanced picture of the benefits and compromises for families.