Labor migration has become a daily reality in Tajikistan, and a vital means of survival for many families. It is estimated that between 800,000 and 1 million citizens (up to 20% of the labor force) work abroad. Remittances make up a significant share of GDP, estimated between 27 % and nearly 50 %, with one measure at 45 % in 2024, helping families cover essential expenses such as food, education, and healthcare. However, this economic stability comes at a high social cost, which is often paid by the children left behind, many of whom grow up without adequate parental care.
Shifting Roles: Mothers and Children Left Behind
The prolonged absence of a father figure significantly alters family dynamics. Women, mothers, grandmothers, and often older children assume all household and caregiving responsibilities. Tasks traditionally viewed as “men’s work,” such as repairing windows, chopping wood, and cultivating land, are now undertaken by those remaining at home.
Children are frequently forced to grow up early. Older siblings help raise younger ones, cook meals, and manage household chores while their mothers work. In some cases, these duties interfere with education. In rural areas, it is not uncommon for girls to leave school after the ninth grade to help sustain the household. Experts note that parental absence accelerates emotional and social maturity by placing an undue burden on children.
Studies confirm this trend: around 15% of children aged 10 to 14 in migrant households are engaged in informal labor, working in markets or fields instead of attending school. As a result, many children are deprived of a full childhood and are compelled to act as “little adults,” shouldering family responsibilities.
The issue is widespread. In Tajikistan, where labor migration is especially intense, up to 30% of school-age children are raised by grandparents or extended family members. Thousands grow up under the care of older siblings while both parents or, more commonly, fathers, are abroad.
The Emotional Toll: Loneliness and Psychological Strain
The long-term absence of fathers also takes a psychological toll. While phone and video calls offer some form of connection, they are no substitute for physical presence. Communication is often irregular: surveys show that 70% of children speak with their migrant parent less than once a week, and 15% only once a month. Feelings of abandonment and emotional detachment are widespread.
One in three children of labor migrants reportedly exhibits signs of depression, including apathy, sadness, and a declining interest in school. Approximately 40% feel lonely and emotionally neglected. Teachers note lower academic performance and reduced motivation among these children. Moreover, the absence of paternal supervision can contribute to behavioral issues: up to 10% of adolescents from migrant families in Tajikistan display signs of deviant behavior, such as aggression and minor offenses, significantly higher than among their peers in two-parent households.
Family relationships often suffer as well. Women left behind effectively become single parents, managing both emotional and material responsibilities. Years of separation, financial strain, and infrequent visits can lead to emotional distance between spouses. Observers note that one in four migrant families in rural Tajikistan has experienced divorce or permanent separation. Conversely, some men form new families abroad. A growing number of Tajik migrants in Russia, for example, choose not to return home, abandoning their families in Tajikistan.
For women, the choice becomes stark: wait indefinitely or attempt to rebuild their lives alone.
Voices from the Field: Personal Stories
Nigora, 17, Penjikent: “My parents left for Russia when I was about ten. At first, I kept waiting, every year they promised, ‘We’ll be back for good soon.’ But in reality, they visited once a year at most, and briefly. Now, I’ve stopped counting the days. My younger brother and I have gotten used to this life.
“Our grandparents raised us. They do their best, but it’s not the same. When my friends have celebrations and their parents show up, I feel a void. But most of my peers share the same story: parents gone, rare video calls, gifts in the mail, and promises to return. I guess we’re already a generation raised by grandmothers.”
Mavjigul, 28, Khorog, primary school teacher: “My father left to earn money when I was about five, first to Russia, then to Kazakhstan. He rarely came home. My younger siblings barely remember him. For them, he’s just the face in a framed photo. My sister and I once argued about what his voice sounded like. His image became abstract, like a fictional figure.
“Now I work with children, and I see how vital a father’s presence is, not just on the phone, but physically, emotionally. Sometimes I feel sad we didn’t have that. But I know he left for us, for our education, our future.”
Nasim, 18, Bokhtar, medical student: “My father left for Russia when I was seven. I didn’t understand why at the time, I only heard the adults say it was necessary so we wouldn’t starve. He’s only been back a few times since then, mostly for short holidays.
“My mom handled everything: the house, the garden, and raising us.
“When things get tough, I wonder what it would be like if my father were around. Sometimes I just need his advice or another point of view. We talk on the phone, but it’s not the same. It’s like he’s both there and not there. I don’t blame him. He left for our sake. I just hope that one day we’ll be a family again, not on a screen, but sitting at the same table.”
Toward Solutions: Supporting the Children of Migration
In recent years, the plight of “children of migration” has gained more attention from both the government and civil society. Recognizing the scale of the problem, the Tajik government, together with international partners, has started taking steps.
UNICEF and other organizations have launched social support programs across Central Asia. In Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, around 3,000 migrant families have gained access to microloans and agricultural training, enabling many mothers to earn an income locally. After-school programs and children’s centers have also been established, offering safe spaces for unsupervised youth.
Psychological support services are gradually expanding. Since 2018, a program in Uzbekistan supported by the EU and UNICEF has provided psychological and material aid to migrant families and trained social workers. Similar initiatives in Tajikistan have reached nearly 10,000 children, offering psychosocial care, educational support, and household monitoring.
The authorities are also developing national roadmaps to address the needs of migrant families and prevent child neglect. However, these programs still reach only a small proportion of affected children.
In rural areas, where most migrant workers originate, the support infrastructure remains limited. Many caregivers do not seek psychological assistance. In Tajikistan, 60% of grandparents raising migrant children believe they can manage alone.
Experts emphasize that more comprehensive measures are needed. Improving children’s access to education and healthcare, expanding school-based psychological services, and, most critically, creating sustainable economic opportunities at home are essential to addressing the root causes of labor migration.
Sergey Kwan
