The Border Service of Russia released the final data on the departure of Russian citizens abroad in 2019. Last year, the total outbound flow surged by 7,9% compared to 2018 or by 3,5 million trips.
According to the Border Service, in 2019, Russian citizens made 48 072 285 trips in 176 foreign countries and territories (excluding Belarus, since it does not appear in border statistics). This is 7,9% more than in 2018 (44 551 092).
Thus, in 2019, Russians made 3,5 million more trips abroad, and almost one third of the total annual growth (31%) was provided by one country - Turkey. It also became the leader of the general outbound flow, and the flow of tourists.
The following 10 countries are leading in outbound flow from Russia in 2019 (without dividing trips into tourism and with other purposes):
Turkey (6 991 528 trips, an increase by 2018 + 18,5%)
Abkhazia (4 802 475 trips, + 6,5%)
Finland (3 962 865 trips, + 7,9%)
Kazakhstan (3 417 996 trips, + 7,5%)
China (2 606 719 trips, + 13,5%)
Ukraine (2 577 871 trips, + 10,5%)
Estonia (1 890 452 trips, + 0,8%)
Germany (1 426 262 trips, + 1,3%)
Italy (1 361 946 trips, + 16,7%)
Thailand (1 223 441 trips, + 0,6%).
This TOP-10 country accounts for almost 63% of all trips (with all purposes of departure, not only tourist) made by Russian citizens in 2019.
