The number of Uzbeks resettling in Kazakhstan has fallen to a five-year low.

The number of Uzbek citizens resettling in Kazakhstan has reached a five-year low.

According to Podrobno.uz news agency, approximately 2,900 people moved from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan for permanent residence in the first half of 2026. This is a 49.2% decrease compared to the same period last year and the lowest figure in the past five years.

Despite this decline, Uzbekistan remains the leading source of migrants to Kazakhstan, accounting for 36.1% of the total external migration inflow. By comparison, this figure stood at 3,418 in the first half of 2022, and 5,693 in 2025.

Of the total number of arrivals, 2,000 were ethnic Kazakhs. More than 60% of the migrants (1,743) chose to settle in the Almaty and Mangystau regions. Another 535 people, or 18.5%, settled in Almaty and Astana.

During the same period, 41 people moved in the opposite direction, from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan, an increase from 32 the previous year. Nevertheless, the migration balance between the two countries remained positive for Kazakhstan, amounting to 2,853 people.

It was previously reported that Uzbek diplomats provided assistance to five compatriots who had encountered difficulties in Kazakhstan and facilitated their return home.