Country Profile: Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, located in Central Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the east. With a population of over 20 million, the country has a rich cultural heritage, largely shaped by its nomadic Turkic roots and the historical influences of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Its economy, the largest in Central Asia, heavily relies on natural resources like petroleum and natural gas, while facing challenges in diversification and attracting foreign investment. Kazakhstan is governed as a presidential republic, characterized by a multi-tiered political structure.

Geography

Kazakhstan is situated in Central Asia, with geographic coordinates of 48° N latitude and 68° E longitude. The terrain is predominantly flat steppe, extending from the Volga River in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east. The country covers an area of approximately 2.7 million square kilometers, making it slightly smaller than four times the size of Texas, and features a diverse climate ranging from continental cold winters to hot, arid summers.

Area: 2,724,900 sq km
Terrain: Major steppe areas, deserts, and mountains
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked, borders Aral and Caspian Seas)
Natural Resources: Extensive deposits of petroleum, natural gas, uranium, and gold
Elevation: Highest point is Pik Khan-Tengri at 7,010 m

People and Society

As of 2024, Kazakhstan has an estimated population of 20,260,006, consisting of diverse ethnic groups, with Kazakh making up 71% of the population. The country is predominantly Muslim (69.3%), with Russian as the most widely spoken language (83.7%). The median age is 31.9 years, and urbanization has led to about 58.2% of the population residing in cities.

Population: 20,260,006 (2024 est.)
Major Urban Areas: 1.987 million in Almaty, 1.291 million in NUR-SULTAN
Life Expectancy: 73.3 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 17.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Female Population: 10,442,834
Religions: 69.3% Muslim, 17.2% Christian

Economy

Kazakhstan's economy is characterized by its vast natural resources, particularly in oil and gas. In 2024, the real GDP (PPP) is estimated at $739.385 billion with a growth rate of 4.8%. The economy has been affected by global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, yet it remains focused on reforming its investment climate and improving business confidence.

GDP (PPP): $739.385 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 4.8% (2024 est.)
Gini Index: 29.2 (2021 est.)
Poverty Rate: 5.2% below the national poverty line (2023 est.)
Exports: $91.908 billion (2024 est.)

Government

Kazakhstan is a presidential republic, with its capital in Astana. The government structure includes a bicameral Parliament and an executive branch led by the President, who is elected for a single seven-year term. The legal system is influenced by Roman-Germanic law and Russian practices, with the most recent constitutional amendments approved in 1995.

Capital: Astana
Government Type: Presidential republic
Current President: Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev (since March 2019)
Next Election: Expected in 2029
Suffrage: Universal at age 18

Military and Security

Kazakhstan maintains a military structure designed for territorial defense, complemented by various internal security forces. The estimated military expenditure is 0.9% of GDP for 2024, and the armed forces consist of approximately 50,000 active personnel.

Military Expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active Armed Forces: Approximately 50,000
Military Service Age: Men aged 18-27 subject to conscription
National Guard Personnel: Estimated 30,000 (2025)
Defense Partnerships: Member of the CSTO and cooperative efforts with NATO

Energy

Kazakhstan is a major player in the energy sector, primarily due to its significant reserves of fossil fuels. The energy consumption per capita is approximately 172.936 million Btu. The country relies heavily on fossil fuels, with a high percentage of electricity generation stemming from coal.

Total Petroleum Production: 1.955 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 28.769 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Installed Electricity Capacity: 27.624 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 106.201 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Renewable Energy Sources: Accounts for approximately 12% of installed capacity

Environment

Kazakhstan faces significant environmental challenges, including severe industrial pollution, desertification, and the impacts of agriculture on soil and water quality. The country is part of multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Major Environmental Issues: Industrial pollution, desertification
Air Pollution Agreements: Party to various key environmental accords including the Climate Change-Paris Agreement
Urban Population: 58.2% of total population (2023)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 269.83 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Total Water Withdrawal: 24.136 billion cubic meters (2022)

Transportation

Kazakhstan's transportation infrastructure supports extensive connections across its vast territory, with a growing number of airports and a substantial railway network.

Total Railways: 16,636 km (2021)
Airports: 132 (2025)
Merchant Marine: 122 total vessels (2023)
Heliports: 32 (2025)
Civil Aircraft Registration: Prefix UP

Communications

Kazakhstan has a well-developed communication network, with a high percentage of internet users and a significant number of mobile phone subscriptions indicating a strong telecommunications sector.

Internet Users: 93% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 25.8 million (2023 est.)
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 2.574 million (2023 est.)
Broadband Subscriptions: 3.59 million (2023 est.)
TV Channels: 96 national channels

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	20,260,006 (2024 est.)
Area	2,724,900 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$739.385 billion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	172.936 million Btu/person (2023)
Birth Rate	17.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	4.8% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	73.3 years (2024 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	2.58 children born/woman (2024 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	269.83 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Total Water Withdrawal	24.136 billion cubic meters (2022)