This book comprises the historical overview of migration processes in Kyrgyzstan, contemporary migration trends in international migration and various social, economic and political impacts of migration. It presents the findings of longstanding, in-depth, comprehensive and empirical research. Insights are maximized by applying the multi-sited strategy of analyzing both the migrant's place of origin and that of destination. The primary goal of the book is to contribute to a better understanding of the meanings and the impacts of contemporary international migration processes in Kyrgyzstan and their relevance for local livelihoods.

Lira Sagynbekova received her Ph.D. at the Centre for Development Studies (ZELF), Institute of Geographical Sciences, Freie Universität Berlin. Between 2006 and 2010 she was lecturer at Kyrgyz National University by J. Balasagyn on the Faculty of Geography, Ecology and Tourism. She was a visiting fellow to the Moscow State University (Oct.2007-Febr.2008) and to Freie Universität Berlin (Nov.2005-Febr.2006) and since 2015 she has been working at the Mountain Societies Research Institute (MSRI), University of Central Asia.