Emigration has been one of the most defining demographic forces shaping Georgia since its independence. Over the past three decades, the country has experienced a steady decline in population, driven largely by large-scale outward migration. Political instability, economic hardship, regional conflicts, and labor migration to Europe and Russia have transformed Georgia’s demographic landscape, leaving lasting effects on its social and economic fabric.
In 2025, Georgia’s population is projected to decrease by about 45,600 people, bringing the total number of residents to approximately 3.71 million by the end of the year. While natural population growth is expected to remain slightly positive -- around 8,400 people (with roughly 51,400 births and 43,000 deaths) -- the country’s demographic balance will once again be undermined by migration losses. If external migration continues at the pace observed in 2024, Georgia’s population will shrink by an estimated 53,900 people due to the exodus of emigrants outnumbering new immigrants.[1]
According to the National Statistics Office of Georgia, as of January 1, 2024, the country’s population stood at 3.69 million. The overall population declined by 1.1% compared to the previous year, a result of both negative natural growth (-2,542) and a negative migration balance (-39,207). Emigration has become a defining demographic force. In 2023, Georgia recorded an unprecedented level of outward migration: 163,500 people left the country, resulting in a net migration loss of 71,500, nearly 2% of the total population. This marks the highest negative migration balance ever recorded in Georgia’s statistical history, exceeding 46,000 in 2022 and 41,000 in 2021.
Authorities acknowledge that the causes extend far beyond the liberalization of the European visa regime. Many Georgians continue to leave in search of better living standards, education, and employment abroad. The main destinations remain Italy, Greece, Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, and the United States.[2]
According to Ekhokavkaza, overall emigration surged by 95.6% in 2023, with 245,000 departures compared to 205,000 arrivals, most of whom (76%) were of working age. Georgian citizens made up about two-thirds of all emigrants.
This pattern reflects a long-standing demographic trend. Between 2012 and 2021, emigration consistently exceeded immigration, except for a brief slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2021, the outflow of Georgian citizens has intensified, reaching its peak in 2023 with over 163,000 emigrants — twice the number recorded in 2021.
History of emigration from GeorgiaHistory of emigration from Georgia
Pre-revolutionary and early Soviet periods (before the 1940s)Pre-revolutionary and early Soviet periods (before the 1940s)
Before the 1917 Revolution, there was no large-scale emigration from Georgia. However, several limited waves occurred. Among the intelligentsia and political elite, many fled after the establishment of Soviet rule in 1921 -- members of the Menshevik government, officers, and intellectuals left for France, Germany, and Turkey.
Overall, Georgia at the time was a country of internal migration rather than external emigration. During the Soviet period, the population actually grew steadily thanks to high birth rates and the arrival of settlers from other republics -- Russians, Armenians, Ossetians, and Azerbaijanis among them.
Postwar decades (1950s–1970s)Postwar decades (1950s–1970s)
During Stalin’s and the post-Stalin years, emigration was almost impossible -- leaving the USSR required special government permission, granted only to diplomats, artists, athletes, or rare delegations.
However, internal migration was significant. Large numbers of people moved from rural regions to cities, especially to Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi. There was also labor migration within the USSR, particularly to Siberia and the North Caucasus.
During this time, Georgia experienced steady population growth — from about 3.5 million in 1950 to 4.9 million by 1980.
Ethnic emigration (1970s–1980s)Ethnic emigration (1970s–1980s)
Although the borders remained closed, some ethnically motivated emigration did take place. Jewish emigration began in the late 1960s, after the Six-Day War in Israel and under pressure from international human rights campaigns.
- Many Georgian Jews, particularly from Kutaisi and Tbilisi, left for Israel.
- Ethnic Germans and Greeks also departed under repatriation programs.
- Some Armenians and Ossetians relocated to other Soviet republics -- Armenia and North Ossetia, respectively.
Overall, though, emigration remained very limited and did not significantly affect Georgia’s demographic balance.
By the late 1980sBy the late 1980s
By the onset of Perestroika (1985–1991), Georgia’s population had reched around 5.4 million.
Demographically, the country was characterized by:
- High rural birth rates;
- Increasing levels of education and urbanization;
- A relatively stable ethnic composition (about 70% Georgians, 8% Armenians, 6% Azerbaijanis, and 2% Russians).
Mass emigration began only after 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the outbreak of conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and -- for the first time in decades -- the opening of Georgia’s borders.
Between 1990 and 1996, about 295,000 people left the country, while only 76,800 arrived, leading to a net population loss of 218,000 — around 4% of Georgia’s 1989 population (5.4 million). Estimates suggest that in those years approximately 550,000 Georgians, along with large numbers of Armenians, Russians, Azerbaijanis, and Ossetians, left the country either permanently or temporarily; about 380,000 later returned.
In the early 2000s, population decline continued: Georgia’s population fell from 4.4 million in 2002 to 3.7 million in 2014 and 3.72 million in 2019. By 2021, around 840,000 Georgian citizens were living abroad, including 450,000 in Russia, 80,000 in Greece, 70,000 in Ukraine, 50,000 in Azerbaijan, and 40,000 in Armenia. Smaller communities are found in the United States (30,000), Germany (20,000), Cyprus (20,000), and Italy (10,000). [3]
Although the share of emigrants heading to post-Soviet countries decreased from 75% in 2010 to 64% in 2020, Russia remains the leading destination. Migration to Western Europe and North America has steadily increased, reflecting Georgia’s integration into global mobility networks and ongoing socioeconomic disparities at home.
Emigration from Georgia surged by 95.6% in 2023, with 245,064 people leaving the country, while immigration rose by 14.5% to 205,857. Most incoming migrants (75.9%) were of working age (15–64). Georgian citizens made up 66.7% of emigrants.
Research your ancestors in Georgia:Research your ancestors in Georgia:
Research your ancestors on MyHeritage
See alsoSee also
Explore more about Georgian emigrationExplore more about Georgian emigration
- Ethnicity map of Georgia at MyHeritage
- From Coventry to Georgia: My DNA Journey That Rewrote Our Family Tree on the MyHeritage Blog
References
- ↑ https://countrymeters.info/ru/Georgia
- ↑ https://www.ekhokavkaza.com/a/32936903.html
- ↑ https://civil.ge/ru/archives/601708