FORMATION OF DIASPORAS AND IMPACT DEVELOPMENT

Current trends of labour migration in the CIS Labour migration in the CIS (the states of the former USSR excluding the Baltic states) has become a large-scale and significant socio-economic phenomenon. According to my estimates, 8-11 million people or approximately 6-8 per cent of the economically active population of the region is involved in migration. The average number of labour migrants from the states of the region simultaneously staying abroad during a one year-period is shown in Table 1. The principal cause of labour migration is the large difference in socio-economic indicators in the CIS countries. Against the background of the region’s general decline in living standard, curtailed production and unemployment growth, some states of the region such as Russia and Kazakhstan, are notable for their socio-economic stability, high labour market capacity and high wage standards. Combined with their geographical proximity, a visa-free regime, “transparency ” of crossing the borders, cultural and language community, existing relations and business ties, recognition (convertibility) of diplomas, these countries attrac