About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships
Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings
Introduction

This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the The Kyrgyz Republic (hereinafter referred to as Kyrgyzstan) migration governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by IOM Member States. 

Key findings
Migrants' rights

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • All migrants have access to health services under the same conditions as Kyrgyz nationals. 
  • The Human Rights Action Plan for 2019–2021 includes measures to combat hate crimes, violence, xenophobia and discrimination against migrants.
  • An agreement signed in 2020 between Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye guarantees equal social and pension security rights for migrants from both countries. 
  • All Kyrgyz citizens can vote in national elections of the Kyrgyz Republic even if they live in another country. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Only permanent residents have equal access to employment as nationals in Kyrgyzstan.
  • Equal access to social protection is provided only to permanent residents and migrant workers and their family members from Eurasian Economic Union member States.
  • Foreigners on family reunification visas are not allowed to take up any employment.
Key findings
Whole of government approach

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Migration Policy Concept of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2021–2030 aims to create safe migration pathways and utilize the full potential of migration for the country’s development.
  • The Council on Migration, established in 2020, serves as the interministerial coordination mechanism to discuss legislative initiatives for migration-related issues.
  • The Council for Relations with Compatriots Abroad, established in 2018,  is responsible for engaging with the diaspora. 
  • Kyrgyzstan collects and publishes migration data regularly and its national census includes questions on migration.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • The  National Action Plan on Gender Equality for 2022–2024 only includes some measures related to migrant women. 
Key findings
Partnerships

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Kyrgyzstan participates in the Almaty Process on Refugee Protection and International Migration. 
  • The country is part of the Eurasian Economic UnionTreaty (2014), which promotes regional labour mobility.
  • Kyrgyzstan formally engages members of diaspora and expatriate communities in agenda-setting and the implementation of development policy. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • There is no specific engagement with the private sector and civil society in the formulation of migration policies.
Key findings
Well-being of migrants

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • In 2020, Kyrgyzstan amended Law No. 4 on External Labour Migration (2006) to establish procedures for determining the yearly foreign labour intake based on labour market demand and supply. 
  • Kyrgyzstan has legal provisions to ensure gender equality in the labour market, including for foreign citizens and stateless persons.
  • The Provision on Issues in the field of labour migration in Kyrgyz Republic, adopted in 2019, defines responsibility of private recruitment agencies and the State Center for Employment Abroad to monitor that the rights of migrant workers from Kyrgyzstan are respected in destination countries."The National Bank promotes the financial inclusion of migrants through financial literacy training courses and videos on how to use remittances. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • The Department of Labour and Employment conducts regular monitoring of the labour market, but it does not gather data relating to the impact of emigration on the domestic labour market. 
  • Kyrgyzstan does not participate in international schemes with common qualifications frameworks.
Key findings
Mobility dimensions of crises

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Concept of Comprehensive Protection of the Population and Territory of the Kyrgyz Republic from Emergencies for 2018–2030 includes specific provisions for preventing and addressing the displacement impacts of disasters.
  • Kyrgyzstan has strategies for addressing migration linked to environmental degradation and the adverse effects of climate change. 
  • The country has contingency plans to manage large-scale population movements in times of crisis.
  • The country developed an emergency mobile application, available in different languages and which enables citizens and migrants to report emergencies and access information.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • The Kyrgyz Concept of Comprehensive Protection of the Population and Territory of the Kyrgyz Republic from Emergencies for 2018–2030 does not specifically refer to migrants.
  • The National Development Strategy for 2018-2040 does not have measures in place regarding displacement or the reintegration of returning migrants.
Key findings
Safe, orderly and regular migration

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Unitary System for Monitoring External Migration  is the coordinated  system to monitor visa overstays.
  • The National Referral Mechanism for Victims of Human Trafficking, established in 2019, provides a set of actions and instructions for State bodies, non-profit organizations, and specialized institutions for identifying and offering assistance and protection to victims of human trafficking. 
  • The Cabinet adopted the Programme of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on Combating Human Trafficking for 2022–2025 and its Action Plan through Resolution No. 227 (2022). 
  • Kyrgyzstan has measures to combat migrant labour exploitation. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Kyrgyzstan has a national policy that includes certain measures only for attracting ethnic Kyrgyz, who do not yet hold Kyrgyz citizenship, to return to the country.
  • The country has some ad hoc measures in place to trace and identify missing migrants.

2023 December

Migration Governance Second Profile: The Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)