CapitalAstana
Population20,432,662
Area2,724,900 km²
GDP per capita$35,900
LanguagesKazakh, Russian, English
Currencytenge
Life Expectancy73.3 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
Background
Ethnic Kazakhs are descended from a combination of Turkic nomadic groups that settled in the area during the 15th century. The Kazakh steppe was annexed by the Russian Empire throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, leading to Kazakhstan's designation as a Soviet Republic in 1925. The policy of enforced agricultural collectivization resulted in widespread oppression and famine, causing over a million fatalities in the early 1930s. In the 1950s and 1960s, the agricultural initiative known as the "Virgin Lands" program attracted a significant number of settlers, primarily ethnic Russians but also individuals from various other nationalities. Consequently, by the time Kazakhstan achieved independence in 1991, ethnic Kazakhs constituted a minority. However, from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s, a considerable exodus of non-Muslim ethnic minorities occurred, alongside a national initiative that facilitated the return of around a million ethnic Kazakhs from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, and the Xinjiang area of China. This transformation has resulted in ethnic Kazakhs now making up more than two-thirds of the population.
Kazakhstan boasts the largest economy in Central Asia, primarily due to its extensive natural resources. Current challenges include the need to diversify the economy, attract foreign direct investment, improve the country’s economic competitiveness, and bolster economic ties with neighboring nations and other international partners.
Geography
Area
land
2,699,700 sq km
water
25,200 sq km
total
2,724,900 sq km
Climate
continental climate characterized by cold winters and hot summers, with arid and semiarid regions
Terrain
extensive flat steppe that stretches from the Volga River in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east, and from the western Siberian plains in the north down to the oases and deserts of Central Asia in the south
Land use
other
19.3% (2023 est.)
forest
1.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
79.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 11% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 68.3% (2023 est.)
Location
Central Asia, located northwest of China; a minor section is situated west of the Ural (Oral) River in the far eastern part of Europe
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Qauyndy Oyysy -132 m
highest point
Pik Khan-Tengri, with an elevation of 7,010 m
note - the northernmost peak in the world that exceeds 7,000 meters
mean elevation
387 m
Irrigated land
17,794 sq km (2022)
Map references
Asia
Land boundaries
total
13,364 km
border countries
China 1,765 km; Kyrgyzstan 1,212 km; Russia 7,644 km; Turkmenistan 413 km; Uzbekistan 2,330 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
the southern regions experience earthquakes; Almaty is subject to mudslides
Geography - note
the largest landlocked nation globally and one of only two landlocked countries that span two continents (the other being Azerbaijan); approximately 6,000 sq km (2,317 sq mi) of land is leased by Russia, which includes the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Natural resources
significant reserves of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, and uranium
Area - comparative
nearly four times larger than Texas
Geographic coordinates
48 00 N, 68 00 E
Population distribution
the majority of the nation has a low population density, especially in the central areas; population concentrations are found in urban agglomerations located in the northern and southern extremes of the country
Major lakes (area sq km)
salt water lake(s)
Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Russia) - 374,000 sq km; Aral Sea (north) - 3,300 sq km; Ozero Alakol - 2,650 sq km; Ozero Teniz - 1,590 sq km; Ozero Seletytenzi - 780 sq km; Ozero Sasykkol - 740 sq km
fresh water lake(s)
Ozero Balkhash - 22,000 sq km; Ozero Zaysan - 1,800 sq km
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage
Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
mouth of the Syr Darya river (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan) - 3,078 km
note: [s] following the country name denotes river source; [m] after the country name signifies river mouth
People & Society
Languages
Languages
Kazakh (official, Qazaq) 80.1%, Russian 83.7%, English 35.1% (2021 estimate)
major-language sample(s)
Әлемдік деректер кітабы, негізгі ақпараттың таптырмайтын көзі. (Kazakh)
Книга фактов о мире – незаменимый источник базовой информации. (Russian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim 69.3%, Christian 17.2% (Orthodox 17%, other 0.2%), Buddhism 0.1%, other 0.1%, non-believers 2.3%, unspecified 11% (2021 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.96 male(s)/female
total population
0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.56 male(s)/female
Birth rate
16.83 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
30 years
total
32.1 years (2025 est.)
female
33.8 years
Population
male
9,902,303
total
20,432,662 (2025 est.)
female
10,530,359
Nationality
noun
Kazakhstani(s)
adjective
Kazakhstani
Tobacco use
male
35.7% (2025 est.)
total
20.1% (2025 est.)
female
6.3% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
58.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
27.6% (male 2,883,200/female 2,712,772)
15-64 years
62.8% (male 6,233,881/female 6,486,019)
65 years and over
9.6% (2024 est.) (male 700,091/female 1,244,043)
Ethnic groups
Kazakh 71%, Russian 14.9%, Uzbek 3.3%, Ukrainian 1.9%, Uyghurs 1.5%, German 1.1%, Tatar 1.1%, other 4.9%, unspecified 0.3% (2023 estimate)
Child marriage
women married by age 15
0.2% (2015)
women married by age 18
7% (2015)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
59.4 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
43.6 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
6.3 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
15.8 (2025 est.)
Physician density
3.75 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
3.9% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
10.6% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
6.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.57 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
urban: 98% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 2% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
22% national budget (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
8.9 deaths/1,000 live births
total
7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.83% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.24 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
The majority of the nation exhibits a low population density, especially in the central regions; population concentrations are found in urban areas located in the extreme northern and southern regions of the country
Life expectancy at birth
male
69 years
female
77.9 years
total population
73.3 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
10 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
2.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
3.73 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
1.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.987 million Almaty, 1.291 million NUR-SULTAN (capital), 1.155 million Shimkent (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
21% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
28.9 years (2019 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
63.8% (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
14 years (2024 est.)
total
14 years (2024 est.)
female
14 years (2024 est.)
Environment
Climate
continental climate characterized by frigid winters and scorching summers, with arid and semiarid regions
Land use
other
19.3% (2023 est.)
forest
1.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
79.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 11% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 68.3% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
58.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
17.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
184.1 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
1,903.1 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
781.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
4.66 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
3.8% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
sites contaminated by radioactive or hazardous chemicals stemming from previous defense industries; significant industrial pollution present in certain urban areas; air and soil contamination (including dust storms) resulting from chemical pesticides and natural salts following the diversion of two rivers; soil degradation caused by excessive use of agricultural chemicals; salinization due to infrastructure and irrigation methods; water contamination; desertification
Total water withdrawal
municipal
4.877 billion cubic meters (2022)
industrial
5.995 billion cubic meters (2022)
agricultural
14.264 billion cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
269.83 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
43.596 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
175.848 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
50.387 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
38.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
108.41 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: a golden sun with 32 rays positioned above a majestic golden steppe eagle, both set against a sky-blue backdrop; the left side features a national motif known as koshkar-muiz (the ram's horns) rendered in gold
meaning: the blue hue holds religious importance for the Turkic peoples and signifies cultural and ethnic unity, as well as the sky and water; the sun symbolizes abundance and wealth, with rays resembling grains; the eagle has been a symbol on Kazakh tribal flags for centuries, representing liberty, strength, and the journey towards the future
Capital
name
Astana
etymology
the name means "capital city" in Kazakh
time zone note
On 1 March 2024, Kazakhstan transitioned from two time zones to a single time zone
time difference
UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
51 10 N, 71 25 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Kazakhstan
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
previously in 1937, 1978 (prior to independence), and 1993; most recent approval by referendum on 30 August 1995, effective from 5 September 1995
amendment process
amendments are introduced via a referendum initiated by the president of the republic, upon the Parliament's advice, or by the government; the president may present draft amendments to Parliament or directly to a referendum; for amendments to pass in Parliament, a four-fifths majority vote is required from both houses, along with the president's signature; for a referendum, an absolute majority vote from more than half of the electorate in at least two-thirds of the oblasts, major cities, and the capital is required, followed by the president's signature
Country name
former
Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic
etymology
the name may originate from the Turkic term kazak, which translates to "nomad;" the Persian suffix -stan translates to "place of" or "country"
local long form
Qazaqstan Respublikasy
local short form
Qazaqstan
conventional long form
Republic of Kazakhstan
conventional short form
Kazakhstan
Independence
16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
Legal system
a civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law as well as the legal theory and practice of the Russian Federation
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of the Republic (composed of 44 members); Constitutional Council (includes the chairperson and 6 members)
subordinate courts
regional and local courts
judge selection and term of office
Judges of the Supreme Court are proposed by the president of the republic based on recommendations from the Supreme Judicial Council and must be approved by the Senate; judges typically serve until the age of 65, but this can be extended to 70; for the Constitutional Council, the president of the republic, the Senate chairperson, and the Mazhilis chairperson each appoint two members for a term of 6 years; the chairperson of the Constitutional Council is appointed by the president for a 6-year term
Executive branch
cabinet
the president appoints ministers based on the prime minister's suggestions; the president holds veto power over all appointments and independently selects the ministers of defense, internal affairs, and foreign affairs
chief of state
President Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV (since 20 March 2019)
election results
2024: Olzhas BEKTENOV was elected prime minister; the vote was 69-0 in parliament
2022: Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV was reelected as president; vote percentages - Kassym-Jomart TOKAYEV (Amanat) 81.3%, Zhiguli DAYRABAEV (Auyl) 3.4%, Qaraqat or Karakat ÄBDEN (KÄQŪA) 2.6%, Meyram KAZHYKEN (Amanat) 2.5%, Nurlan AUYESBAYEV (NSDP) 2.2%, Saltanat TURSYNBEKOVA (QA-DJ) 2.1%, others 5.8%
2019: Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV was elected president; vote percentages - Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV (Amanat) 71%, Amirzhan KOSANOV (Ult Tagdyry) 16.2%, Daniya YESPAYEVA (Ak Zhol) 5.1%, others 7.7%
head of government
Prime Minister Olzhas BEKTENOV (since 6 February 2024)
most recent election date
20 November 2022
election/appointment process
the president is elected directly by a simple-majority popular vote for a single term of 7 years (prior to September 2022, the president of Kazakhstan could serve a maximum of two 5-year terms; legislation reduced this to one 7-year term); the prime minister and deputy prime ministers are appointed by the president and must be approved by the Mazhilis
expected date of next election
2029
National holiday
Independence Day, 16 December (1991)
National color(s)
blue, yellow
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
6 (3 cultural, 3 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (c); Petroglyphs at Tanbaly (c); Saryarka - Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan (n); Silk Roads: the Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor (c); Western Tien-Shan (n); Cold Winter Deserts of Turan (n)
Political parties
Ak Zhol Democratic Party or Ak Zhol
Amanat formerly Nur Otan
Auyl People's Democratic Patriotic Party or Auyl
Green Party of Kazakhstan orBaytaq
Nationwide Social Democratic Party or NSDP
People's Party of Kazakhstan or PPK
Respublica
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Parlament)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Menin Qazaqstanim" (My Kazakhstan)
history
adopted in 2006; President Nursultan NAZARBAYEV played a significant role in modifying the lyrics
lyrics/music
Zhumeken NAZHIMEDENOV and Nursultan NAZARBAYEV/Shamshi KALDAYAKOV
National symbol(s)
golden eagle
National coat of arms
the winning design was selected from a competition held in 1992; this design incorporates the national colors of yellow and blue, where blue symbolizes a hope for unity, peace, and friendship among all peoples, while gold signifies a bright future for the nation's inhabitants; a shanyrak (the upper dome-like part of a yurt) represents family well-being, peace, and tranquility, with its circular form symbolizing life and eternity; the winged horses, or tulpars, safeguard the shanyrak and embody courage, prosperity, and inspiration
Administrative divisions
17 provinces (oblystar, singular - oblys) and 4 cities* (qalalar, singular - qala); Abay (Semey), Almaty (Qonaev), Almaty*, Aqmola (Kokshetau), Aqtobe, Astana*, Atyrau, Batys Qazaqstan [West Kazakhstan] (Oral), Bayqongyr*, Mangghystau (Aqtau), Pavlodar, Qaraghandy, Qostanay, Qyzylorda, Shyghys Qazaqstan [East Kazakhstan] (Oskemen), Shymkent*, Soltustik Qazaqstan [North Kazakhstan] (Petropavl), Turkistan, Ulytau (Zhezqazghan), Zhambyl (Taraz), Zhetisu (Taldyqorghan)
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Mazhilis)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
98 (all directly elected)
electoral system
mixed system
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
3/19/2023
expected date of next election
March 2028
percentage of women in chamber
18.4%
parties elected and seats per party
Amanat party (62); Auyl party (8); Ak Zhol Democratic Party of Kazakhstan (6); Respublica (6); People's Party of Kazakhstan (5); Independents (7); Other (4)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
6 years
number of seats
50 (40 indirectly elected; 10 appointed)
scope of elections
partial renewal
most recent election date
1/14/2023
expected date of next election
January 2026
percentage of women in chamber
20%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 232-5845
chancery
1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 232-5488
chief of mission
Ambassador Magzhan ILYASSOV (since 16 December 2025)
consulate(s) general
New York, San Francisco
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-washington?lang=en
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[7] (7172) 54-09-14
embassy
Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev Avenue, No. 3, Astana 010010
telephone
[7] (7172) 70-21-00
mailing address
2230 Astana Place, Washington DC 20521-2230
chief of mission
Ambassador-designate Julie STUFFT; Chargé d'Affaires Deborah ROBINSON (as of January 2025)
consulate(s) general
Almaty
email address and website
[email protected]
https://kz.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (compliant country), FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
International law organization participation
has not provided a declaration of jurisdiction to the ICJ; not a party to the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$44.25 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$47.247 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$93.822 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$90.926 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$91.908 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$60.439 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$72.723 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$74.246 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, uranium, iron and steel; tractors and various agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials
Labor force
10.285 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2023
20.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
0.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
tenge (KZT) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
412.953 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
425.908 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
460.165 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
456.165 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
468.962 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$25.765 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
an upper-middle-income economy in Central Asia; strong growth attributed to increased oil production, growth in the manufacturing and services sectors, rising domestic demand, and infrastructure investments; however, this rapid growth is leading to a high inflation rate, alongside decreasing unemployment and poverty rates
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
4.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
4.9% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
4.8% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 16%, UK 15%, Russia 10%, Turkey 6%, Italy 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 28%, Russia 24%, Gambia, The 4%, Turkey 4%, USA 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$33,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$34,700 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$35,900 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
3.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
5.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
4.8% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, milk, barley, potatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes/melons, sunflower seeds, maize, onions, tomatoes (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, gold, radioactive chemicals, refined copper, copper ore (2023)
Imports - commodities
garments, cars, broadcasting equipment, vehicle bodies, packaged medicine (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
$6.436 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$9.448 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
-$3.702 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
11.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$288.406 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
51.4% (2023 est.)
government consumption
11.1% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
3.3% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
26.5% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
34.5% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-27.5% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line
5.2% (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
50.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
2.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
15% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
14.7% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
8.8% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
6.6% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$671.285 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$705.52 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$739.385 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
3% (2024 est.)
total
3.8% (2024 est.)
female
4.8% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$35.076 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$35.965 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$45.808 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
31.4% (2024 est.)
services
58.2% (2024 est.)
agriculture
3.9% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
4.3% (2021 est.)
highest 10%
24.8% (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021
29.2 (2021 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
34.043 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
114,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
production
120.279 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
86.349 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
25.605 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
1.955 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
30 billion barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
386,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
2.243 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
3.694 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
106.201 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
27.624 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
9.439 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
7.071 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports
408.952 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
28.769 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
22.223 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
2.407 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down
1 (2025)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
172.936 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
2.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
1.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
87.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
8.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
93% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The government controls almost all radio and television transmission infrastructure and manages national television and radio networks; there exist 96 television channels and 4 government-operated radio stations; a few previously state-owned media entities have undergone privatization; households equipped with satellite dishes can access international media; there is a limited number of commercial radio stations; all media outlets are required to register with the authorities (2018)
Internet country code
.kz
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
2.574 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
13 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
26.2 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
127 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
3.59 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
18 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Airports
132 (2025)
Railways
total
16,636 km (2021)
broad gauge
16,636 km (2021) 1.520-m gauge (4,237 km electrified)
Heliports
32 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
122 (2023)
by type
general cargo 3, oil tanker 7, other 112
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
UP
Military & Security
Military - note
The primary duties of the military include the defense of the territory, while the National Police, National Guard, Committee for National Security, and Border Service are chiefly responsible for maintaining internal security; however, the military may assist when necessary. The military also engages in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions, along with regional exercises. In recent years, Kazakhstan has focused more on regional military collaborations and the modernization and diversification of its equipment in an effort to lessen its dependency on Russia, its traditional security ally. Additional initiatives to strengthen the nation’s security sector have involved enhancing the capabilities of the National Guard and elevating military professionalism.
Kazakhstan has been affiliated with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and has committed troops to the CSTO's rapid reaction force. Furthermore, it has maintained a relationship with NATO since 1992 centered on reforms in democratic governance, institutional development, and defense (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
0.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
0.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Land Forces (Kazakh Army), Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces
Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police, National Guard
Committee for National Security (KNB): Border Guard Service (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Males aged 18-27 are liable for conscription for a duration of 12 to 24 months; conscripts may be allocated to the Armed Forces, National Guard, Border Service, State Security Service, or the Ministry of Emergency Situations; women have the option to enlist voluntarily (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The inventory of the Kazakh military predominantly consists of equipment from Russian and Soviet origins; in recent years, there has been an effort to source from alternative suppliers such as China, France, Israel, South Korea, and Türkiye. Kazakhstan possesses a defense industry capable of assembling or manufacturing various items, including naval vessels, combat vehicles, helicopters, and radar systems (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths
Available data is highly variable; an estimated 50,000 personnel are active in the Armed Forces; approximately 30,000 are part of the National Guard (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
0 (2024 est.)
refugees
66,152 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
7,865 (2024 est.)
Space
Space launch site(s)
Baikonur Cosmodrome/Space Center (Baikonur) (2025)
Space agency/agencies
Aerospace Committee of the Kazakh Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry Ministry (also known as the National Space Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan or KazCosmos; established in 2007) (2025)
Space program overview
The space program has its roots in the former Soviet Union; it emphasizes the acquisition and operation of satellites; the program constructs (with international cooperation) and manages communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites; it is engaged in developing space infrastructure, including launch and testing facilities, ground stations, and rocket manufacturing; it features an astronaut (cosmonaut) program; it maintains collaborations with various international space agencies and industries, such as those from China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, and the UK; it participates in global initiatives like the International Space Station; both state-owned and private enterprises contribute to the nation’s space endeavors and collaborate closely with foreign commercial entities (2025)
Key space-program milestones
1991 - first Kazakh in space on the last Soviet Soyuz mission
2006 - first communications satellite (KazSat-1) built jointly with Italy and launched by Russia
2014 - first remote sensing satellite (KazEOSat-1) built by France and launched on European rocket
2024 - joined China-led lunar base project
