Asia & Oceania

IOM Today

An intergovernmental organization established in 1951, IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.

  • 146 Members and 98 observers
  • More than 450 field locations
  • More than 7,800 staff working on more than 2,700 projects
  • More than US$ 1.3 billion expenditures in 2011

IOM Worldwide


Quick Links

Warning - Internet Scams

Beware of fraudulent offers of migration assistance in the internet or email marketing.

Individuals considering migrating for whatever purpose or destination should take extreme caution in dealing with internet offers or email marketing in light of recent surge in fraudulent schemes.

  Uzbekistan  

Facts and Figures

Capital: Tashkent
Population (2011): 27.8 million
Area: 447,400 sq km
Language: Uzbek
Currency: Sum (UZS)
GDP per Capita PPP (2010): USD 3,114
HDI Rank (2011): 115 of 187
Remittances (2011 estimate): not available
Net Migration Rate (2010-2015): -2.1 migrants /1,000 population
Immigrants (2010): 4.2%
Women as a Percentage of Immigrants (2010): 57.1%
Population under 15 (2011): 28.9%
Adult HIV Prevalence (2009): 0.1%

Sources and Definitions

Overview

Due to economic difficulties in Uzbekistan, labour migration to Russia, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, the Republic of Korea and Europe has been increasing over the last years, making it one of the major countries of origin for trafficking in persons. In close collaboration with the government, IOM, through the local NGO Istiqbolli Avlod, has carried out wide public information campaigns concerning the risks of trafficking and has also developed instruments that allow effective prevention of trafficking and prosecution of traffickers.

Uzbekistan has participated in several IOM regional migration-related events such as a study trip on labour migration to Italy, a workshop on migration and security in Moscow, a study trip on border management to Austria and Slovakia, a workshop on visa policies in Almaty, and training on labour migration in Manila. IOM also successfully completed an assessment of immigration inspection and border control in Tashkent airport in 2004 and in Bukhara airport in 2005.

In addition, within the country projects a number of other study visits have been organized – to Russia, the UAE, Poland and Turkey. All of them were aimed at establishing closer relations with government and non-government counterparts regulating migration.

Regulating Migration

Counter-Trafficking. IOM Uzbekistan, in partnership with local NGO Istiqbolli Avlod, is involved in the implementation of the USAID-funded Regional Programme “Combating Trafficking in Persons in Central Asia”.

The programme provides direct assistance to victims of trafficking and establishes an effective framework for assistance to victims of trafficking through a capable, strong and efficient network of cooperative non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international and governmental agencies.

The programme includes the following elements: support of the NGO network, including their hotlines; preventive measures; training of community leaders; maintenance of shelters; assistance in return and reintegration; and development sustainability of NGOs.

Main Project

  • Combating Trafficking in Persons in Central Asia


Last updated:
Facts and figures: April 2012
Main text: 17 February 2011