According to the country’s Bureau of National Statistics, Kazakhstan’s population reached 20,333,500 as of April 1, 2025, marking a 0.25% increase in the first quarter of the year, Vlast.kz reports.
The fastest growth continues to be recorded in the country’s three major cities. Astana’s population grew by 1.47%, Shymkent’s by 0.66%, and Almaty’s by 0.6%. Outside of the metropolitan areas, only the Almaty and Mangystau regions posted growth above the national average.
Overall, population growth was recorded in 11 out of Kazakhstan’s 20 regions. However, in four regions — Kyzylorda, West Kazakhstan, Akmola, and Turkistan — the increase was marginal. Migration remains a key factor: in these areas, high birth rates are nearly offset by the number of people leaving.
Positive migration balance is observed only in five regions - the three major cities, as well as the Almaty and Mangystau regions. In all other regions, the number of people leaving exceeds those arriving.
Nine regions saw a population decline in the first quarter. The steepest decreases were in the Abai Region (–0.23%), Zhetysu (–0.25%), and North Kazakhstan (–0.43%). In both East and North Kazakhstan, natural population decline was recorded, where the number of deaths exceeded births.
During the quarter, the urban population grew by 0.47%, while the rural population declined by 0.13%. As of April 1, 2025, 63.1% of Kazakhstan’s residents live in urban areas, and 36.9% in rural areas.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
April 2, 2025