Peculiarities of the development of migration processes in Georgian autonomous regions (Adjara Autonomous Republic)

Mirian Tukhashvili, Tbilisi State University
Amiran Takidze, Batumi Independent University

Throughout the XX century a big differentiation had been observed in demographic development of Georgian regions. Population in the Adjara Autonomous Republic grew at a high rate where due to the spread of Muslim faith the natural increase had been high. In the Adjara region small demographic capacity formed surplus population which was resettled in different regions of Georgia with the support of the government. Due to the profound economic crisis resulted from the collapse of the Soviet Union necessary resources for demographic growth have been reduced to the critical level that in turn sharply decreased fertility in Adjara. Intensive stationary and labor emigration has emerged. Population size in Adjara has declined. The paper addresses labor emigration of Adjara which was studied by the method of “substitute respondents,” its main directions, labor emigrants’ social and demographic structure, education level and skills, employment conditions abroad, remittances and their use, conditions for their return to their home country. It was found that population labor emigration from Adjara is steady and will last for a long time. Remittances principally perform a function of satisfaction of the population’s minimum requirements. At the same time, in contrast with other regions of Georgia, remittances are more largely and efficiently used for the small business development, which is the important way to pull the country’s economy out of stagnation.