More than 34,000 foreigners from 136 countries lived in Mongolia as of late 2025. The number of officially registered foreign nationals increased by 7.4% from the previous year, indicating steady growth rather than a temporary spike.

• 🍰 Chinese citizens form the largest resident group by a wide margin. At the same time, Russia, India, South Korea, and the United States round out the top 5.

⚖️ Regulatory Limits

Under Mongolia’s Law on the Legal Status of Foreign Nationals, foreigners residing for personal reasons may not exceed 3% of the national population, with any single nationality capped at 1%. As of now, foreign residents represent just 0.9% of Mongolia’s population, indicating substantial legal headroom for further inflows. Among nationalities, Chinese citizens represent 0.6% of the total population, followed by Russians 0.09%, Indians 0.06%, South Koreans 0.04%, and Americans 0.03%.

🏗️ Work, Capital, and Classrooms

The data show Mongolia’s foreign community is driven primarily by labor demand and investment activity. Most foreign residents are employed across sectors ranging from mining and construction to services and logistics. Investors and students represent the next largest cohorts, reinforcing Mongolia’s role as both a project destination and a regional learning hub.

📈 Why Does It Matter?

The rise in foreign residents mirrors structural shifts in Mongolia’s economy. Constrained domestic labor supply, capital-intensive projects, and deeper integration with regional markets. While the absolute numbers remain modest, the trend suggests foreign participation will play a growing role in Mongolia’s workforce, investment landscape, and urban economy in the years ahead.