Uzbekistan has announced plans to send 50,000 citizens to Nordic countries for high-paying employment by 2030, according to information released by the presidential press service following a videoconference meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The meeting reviewed the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Uzbek diplomatic missions abroad.
During the session, President Mirziyoyev noted that while Uzbek citizens historically went to work in a limited number of countries, labor migration has now expanded to more than 30 countries. He highlighted that Sweden, Denmark, and Norway currently have a demand for approximately 300,000 workers, identifying these countries as new and profitable labor markets for Uzbekistan.
The meeting included specific proposals from Nordic employers. Norwegian companies expressed their readiness to train 3,000 Uzbek citizens this year, issue certifications aligned with European standards, and offer a monthly salary of 2,500–3,000 euros. Sweden proposed training social workers on a grant basis and hiring 500 specialists in 2026.
Following the discussions, responsible agencies were tasked with negotiating agreements with Sweden, Denmark, and Norway to organize labor migration. Under the plan, 5,000 citizens are expected to be sent to Nordic countries this year, with at least 10,000 annually from 2027 onwards.
A separate cooperation program on external labor migration with Nordic countries, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland, will be developed by Uzbekistan’s ambassadors to Sweden and Latvia in coordination with relevant ministries. The program is projected to cover a labor market valued at approximately 500 million euros.
President Mirziyoyev instructed officials to develop a detailed program within one month and to assume responsibility for ensuring employment for 50,000 Uzbek citizens in the Nordic countries by 2030. The initiative aims to increase citizens’ incomes, develop organized and secure labor migration, and effectively utilize foreign labor markets.
