The impact of international migration on livelihoods in Jalal-Abad oblast, Kyrgyz Republic
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the begin of the transformation period in the Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan, there have been major political and socio-economic changes. Since this event interlinked migration processes acquired special forms and expressions. The transition from planned to market economies led to changes in livelihood strategies of the concerned population. Today, mostly due to high unemployment rates, poverty, lack of social-economic securities, internal and international labour migration has become one of the main livelihood strategies for many households, especially in rural areas of Kyrgyzstan. This research project examines the impact of international migration on livelihoods in Jalal-Abad oblast (province), Kyrgyz Republic. The research has been focused on studying migration and livelihood patterns, types and means of recent migration phenomena, opportunities and difficulties confronted by the migrants and their non-migrating family members and finally the consequences of these movements.