Turkmenistan

Most immigrants in Turkmenistan come from former Soviet republics like Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. This presence stems deeply from historical colonial ties, a shared Russian language, and geographic proximity. Today, nearly two hundred thousand foreign-born individuals live in the country, largely reflecting a legacy of the Soviet era when internal borders were open and populations mixed freely.

Over the last few decades, the immigrant population steadily shrank as the Soviet Union collapsed and many people returned to their ancestral homelands. Brief spikes in migration occurred during regional crises, like the Tajikistani civil war in the 1990s, which forced thousands to seek sudden safety across the border. Now, strict political controls mean new arrivals are incredibly rare, leaving behind an aging immigrant community from decades past.

Emigrants from Turkmenistan traditionally head to neighboring former Soviet states like Kazakhstan, driven by deep historical ties and familiar trade routes. Today, Turkey has also emerged as a top destination, hosting around 120,000 Turkmen citizens. People are drawn to these countries by closely related languages, accessible visa policies, and better economic opportunities.

This marks a dramatic shift from the years following the Soviet collapse, when Russia was the undisputed primary destination. As Russia experienced complex economic and political transformations over the decades, migration flows naturally redirected. A new generation now bypasses traditional northern routes, favoring the cultural proximity and vibrant labor markets of Turkey and Central Asia.