Country Profile: Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country, is located in Central Asia and has a diverse geography ranging from vast steppes to mountain ranges. With a population of over 20 million, the nation is characterized by a significant ethnic Kazakh majority as well as various minority groups. As the largest economy in Central Asia, Kazakhstan's wealth is largely derived from its abundant natural resources, particularly in the energy sector. The country operates as a presidential republic, with a governance structure that has seen recent reforms aimed at enhancing political stability and economic growth.

Geography

Kazakhstan is situated in Central Asia, sharing borders with China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The country's total area is approximately 2.7 million square kilometers, making it slightly less than four times the size of Texas. It is predominantly flat, featuring extensive steppes, deserts, and mountain ranges. Kazakhstan's climate is continental, experiencing cold winters and hot summers.

2,724,900 sq km: Total area
13,364 km: Total land boundaries with neighboring countries
0 km: Coastline (landlocked)
79.4%: Agricultural land share (2023 est.)
7,010 m: Highest point (Pik Khan-Tengri)

People and Society

Kazakhstan is home to approximately 20.4 million people, with a diverse ethnic composition comprising 71% Kazakhs, 14.9% Russians, and other minorities. The country has a relatively young population with a median age of 32.1 years. Urbanization is significant, with 58.2% of the population living in urban areas. The nation's official languages are Kazakh and Russian, reflecting its multicultural heritage.

20,432,662: Estimated population (2025)
58.2%: Urban population (2023)
16.83: Births per 1,000 population (2025 est.)
73.3 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
2.57: Total fertility rate (2025 est.)

Economy

Kazakhstan's economy is classified as upper-middle-income, driven primarily by oil production and an expanding manufacturing sector. The country is working to diversify its economy to reduce reliance on natural resources and has experienced significant economic growth in recent years. Challenges include addressing high inflation and ensuring sustainable development.

$739.385 billion: Real GDP (PPP) estimated for 2024
4.8%: Real GDP growth rate predicted for 2024
10.285 million: Labor force (2024 est.)
4.8%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.)
5.2%: Population below poverty line (2023 est.)

Government

Kazakhstan is a presidential republic with a bicameral parliament. The president is both the head of state and government, recently reformed to allow for a single seven-year term. The nation's government has focused on enhancing democratic processes and political stability since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

President: Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev (since 20 March 2019)
Capital: Astana (re-established name in 2022)
17: Number of provinces and 4 cities
18 years: Universal suffrage age

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Kazakhstan consist of Land Forces, Naval Forces, and Air Defense Forces, supported by the National Police and National Guard. The country emphasizes regional security cooperation and modernization of its military capabilities, aiming to reduce reliance on historic partnerships with Russia.

50,000: Estimated active military personnel (2025)
0.9%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.)
18-27 years: Age range for conscription
CSTO member: Active in regional defense organizations

Energy

Kazakhstan possesses significant energy resources, particularly in oil and natural gas, and is moving towards enhancing its renewable energy capacity. The nation has a robust energy infrastructure, ensuring nearly complete electrification of its population.

1.955 million bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023 est.)
120.279 million metric tons: Coal production (2023 est.)
100%: Electrification of total population (2022 est.)
172.936 million Btu/person: Energy consumption per capita (2023 est.)

Environment

Kazakhstan faces several environmental challenges, including pollution, desertification, and the impact of industrial activities. The country has made commitments to various international environmental agreements to address these issues and promote sustainable practices.

269.83 million metric tonnes: Total CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
79.4%: Agricultural land usage (2023 est.)
1.3%: Forest cover (2023 est.)
4.66 million tons: Annual municipal solid waste generated (2024 est.)

Transportation

Kazakhstan has a well-developed transportation network including a significant railway system and multiple airports, facilitating both domestic and international travel. The country's strategic location makes it an important transit hub in Central Asia.

132: Total airports (2025)
16,636 km: Total railway length (2021)
122: Merchant marine vessels (2023)

Communications

The communications sector in Kazakhstan is rapidly developing, with high mobile phone and internet penetration rates. The majority of the media remains state-controlled, although there are growing opportunities for private media outlets.

93%: Internet user penetration (2023 est.)
26.2 million: Mobile subscriptions (2024 est.)
3.59 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	20,432,662	Estimated for 2025
Area	2,724,900 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$739.385 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy consumption per capita	172.936 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Unemployment rate	4.8%	Estimated for 2024
Birth rate	16.83 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2025
Life expectancy at birth	73.3 years	Estimated for 2024
Total fertility rate	2.57 children born/woman	Estimated for 2025
Military expenditures as percent of GDP	0.9%	Estimated for 2024
Urban population	58.2%	Of total population (2023)