In Kazakhstan, the population continues to show steady growth and has now surpassed the 20.5 million mark. This is confirmed by updated data from the Bureau of National Statistics, published in early 2026.

According to the latest figures, as of March, the country’s population reached approximately 20.53 million people. Since the beginning of the year, the increase has amounted to more than 30,000 people, with natural growth playing the main role — meaning that the number of births exceeded the number of deaths. Migration also made a positive contribution to overall population growth.

The majority of Kazakhstan’s population lives in urban areas — over 13 million people — while the rural population accounts for more than 7.4 million. This indicates that the country continues to experience steady urbanization, reflecting ongoing economic and social changes in recent years.

Among the regions, Almaty remains the most populous, with more than 2.3 million residents. It is followed by the Turkistan Region and the capital city, Astana. The lowest population is recorded in the Ulytau Region, which has just over 200,000 residents.

 

Experts note that population growth is an important indicator of a country’s socio-economic stability. The increase in the number of residents is linked both to demographic factors — such as a relatively high birth rate — and to gradual improvements in living standards and the country’s migration attractiveness. It is worth noting that Kazakhstan crossed the 20 million population threshold relatively recently, in 2023. Since then, the upward trend has remained steady, indicating continued long-term population growth.

Overall, Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its demographic position. Population growth creates both new opportunities for economic development and additional challenges related to infrastructure, employment, and social policy.

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04.05.2026 03:54