From hosting pivotal international forums to advancing sustainable development, Kazakhstan stands as a bridge between East and West. Its bold initiatives in diplomacy, economic innovation, and environmental leadership position the country as a dynamic force on the global stage.
Overview
Since gaining independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has pursued a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy, fostering mutually respectful and beneficial relations with its neighbours, global actors such as Russia, China, the European Union, and the United States, and the international community at large.
In recent months, Kazakhstan’s active international engagement has led to its recognition as an emerging middle power capable of contributing more significantly to the global agenda. This paper aims to explore the factors underlying such expectations.
Diplomatic Engagement and Pragmatic Foreign Policy
·Kazakhstan has sought to contribute to addressing global and regional issues by initiating and participating in international forums and helping to ease regional conflicts. These efforts have enabled Kazakhstan to support international stability while pursuing its national interests. For example:
- Astana Process on Syria: Kazakhstan has contributed to reducing violence in Syria by hosting the Astana Process on Syria since 2017. The talks, held in Kazakhstan’s capital, brought together the Syrian government, opposition groups, and three guarantor-states, including Russia, Türkiye, and Iran. This process has facilitated dialogue and decreased hostilities in the Syrian conflict.
- Providing a Platform for the Armenia-Azerbaijan Talks: Kazakhstan hosted negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan in May 2024, aiming to ease tensions and promote peace between the two nations, which have been embroiled in a long-standing conflict. Kazakhstan’s goodwill services, the so-called good offices, underscore its role as a neutral ground for dialogue.
- Leadership in International Organisations: Kazakhstan chaired several international organisations in 2024 alone, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Organisation of Turkic States, the Consultative Meetings of States of Central Asia and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. These leadership roles allow Kazakhstan to contribute to regional cooperation on security, economic, and cultural issues. For instance, under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in 2023-2024, the SCO focused on enhancing regional security cooperation and economic connectivity among its member states.
- Kazakhstan initiated and continues to host the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), a forum aimed at enhancing cooperation and security in Asia. The CICA includes 28 participating states, including China, Russia, and India, and serves as a platform for dialogue on regional security issues. Kazakhstan’s role in this forum demonstrates its commitment to fostering peace and cooperation in a volatile region.
- Kazakhstan established the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2003, which serves as a platform for fostering dialogue among diverse religious leaders from around the globe. Dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and peace, the Congress advances cooperation across different faiths, contributing to international stability. Its 8th convocation is scheduled to take place in Astana in September 2025.
- In 2023, Kazakhstan launched the Astana International Forum, an annual platform for addressing key global challenges. The Forum serves as a venue for high-level delegates from foreign governments, international organisations, businesses, and academic circles to engage in dialogue and seek solutions to issues such as climate change, food shortages, and energy security. The next forum is scheduled for May 29-30, 2025
- Organised by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies and held under the auspices of the Astana International Forum on October
16-17, 2024, the Astana Think Tank Forum featured an engaging programme of keynote speeches, panel sessions, roundtables, and networking opportunities. With top think tanks, foreign policy advisors, diplomats, and researchers from over 20 countries in attendance, the two-day event offered thought-provoking insights that are expected to have a lasting impact on global policy discussions around the growing role of middle powers. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a keynote address, underscoring the responsibility of middle powers to foster cohesion and cooperation in the international system.
- Kazakhstan actively participated in major international environmental events in 2024, including the “One Water Summit” in Riyadh and COP29 in Baku. As a co-organizer of the Summit, alongside France and Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan addressed issues such as global water resource management, innovative water infrastructure, and sustainable development.
At COP 29, Kazakhstan demonstrated leadership in the climate agenda, reaffirming its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and presenting initiatives on methane emission reduction, climate financing, and land restoration.
Kazakhstan’s Commitment to Humanitarian Aid
·Kazakhstan is committed to providing humanitarian aid, both regionally and globally. Since its independence, Kazakhstan has allocated resources to humanitarian efforts through the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID).
·This aid includes disaster relief, food security initiatives, and support for education and healthcare in developing nations. Specifically:
- Afghanistan: Kazakhstan has supported Afghanistan’s development, particularly in education and infrastructure. Through the Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Partnership, Kazakhstan has provided scholarships to Afghan students, enabling them to pursue higher education in Kazakhstan. Additionally, Kazakhstan has supported infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, helping to rebuild sectors such as agriculture and transportation.
- Humanitarian Assistance in Response to Global Crises: Kazakhstan responded swiftly to global humanitarian crises, providing aid to countries affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and pandemics. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kazakhstan sent medical supplies and personal protective equipment to several countries in need, including its neighbours in Central Asia and beyond.
Strategic Economic Position and Connectivity
·Kazakhstan’s strategic geographic location and its role as a transit hub for global trade routes underscore its role in global cooperation. The country’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the EU’s Global Gateway project has positioned it as an important link between East and West.
·Kazakhstan’s investments in infrastructure, especially in transportation and logistics, have positioned it as an important part of the global supply chain. Kazakhstan leverages its geographic and economic strengths to contribute to international trade and economic development. Specifically:
- Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR): This route connects China to Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye. Kazakhstan has invested in developing this corridor as part of its broader strategy to become a transit hub. This Corridor provides an alternative to traditional routes, which has gained importance, especially in light of geopolitical tensions. The route has seen noticeable growth in cargo volume in recent years, with Kazakhstan playing a key role in facilitating trade between Europe and Asia.
- Khorgos Gateway: Located on the Kazakhstan-China border, the Khorgos Gateway is a major dry port that serves as a link in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This facility allows for the seamless transfer of goods between railways of different gauges (standard in China and broad in Kazakhstan).
- Caspian Sea Ports Expansion: Kazakhstan has invested in expanding its Caspian Sea ports, such as the Aktau and Kuryk ports, to increase their capacity and efficiency. These ports are important to the TITR, enabling Kazakhstan to export oil, minerals, and other goods to European and global markets. This expansion aligns with Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to strengthen its logistics infrastructure.
- Western Europe-Western China Expressway: Kazakhstan has developed its section of the Western Europe-Western China expressway, which is a key part of the international highway network connecting Europe and China.
Contribution to Global Security and Peacekeeping
·Countries are often recognised for their ability to contribute to global governance and conflict resolution without being major military powers, and Kazakhstan exemplifies this through its role in international peacekeeping and diplomacy. Specifically:
- United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): Kazakhstan has contributed peacekeepers to the UNIFIL mission, which is tasked with monitoring the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.
- United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights: Kazakhstan has deployed peacekeepers to the UNDOF mission, which has been monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights since 1974.
- United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS): Kazakhstan has also participated in the UNMISS, which focuses on consolidating peace and security in South Sudan, protecting civilians, and supporting the implementation of the peace agreement.
- United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA): Kazakhstan has provided peacekeepers to the UNISFA mission, which operates in the Abyei Area between Sudan and South Sudan, a region plagued by territorial disputes and intercommunal violence.
Environmental Stewardship
·Kazakhstan is committed to taking decisive action against climate change, with a clear roadmap to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Specifically:
- Reduction of carbon emissions: The country’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement reflect this commitment, with a pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 15% unconditionally by 2030. Additionally, Kazakhstan has set a conditional target of a 25% reduction, contingent on climate investments and technology transfer. This is a key milestone towards a greener, more sustainable Kazakhstan, ensuring the country contributes to global climate efforts.
- Water Diplomacy: Kazakhstan and France hosted the One Water Summit in December 2024. This summit served as a platform for global leaders to discuss and implement strategies for sustainable water management.
- Aral Sea: Kazakhstan is committed to the restoration and revitalisation of the Aral Sea region. The country is chairing the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in 2024-2026 to foster collaboration among Central Asian nations in this area.
- Regional Climate Initiatives: Kazakhstan launched the Project Office for Central Asia on Climate Change and Green Energy in Almaty, which will serve as a hub for coordinating efforts across the region. In 2026, Kazakhstan will host the Regional Climate Summit under the auspices of the UN and other international organisations, bringing together regional and global leaders to address climate challenges.
- Reforestation and Biodiversity Conservation: The government has made considerable efforts in reforestation and biodiversity conservation. From 2021 to 2023, Kazakhstan planted around 840 million trees. A significant achievement in this area is the successful reintroduction of Przewalski’s horses to the “Altyn Dala” nature reserve, with plans to continue this programme until 2029. Additionally, Kazakhstan is advancing the Tiger Reintroduction Programme, with plans to reintroduce tigers into the Ile-Balkhash nature reserve.
- “Altyn Dala” Initiative: This project, dedicated to protecting Kazakhstan’s steppe ecosystems, won the prestigious Earthshot Prize 2024 in the “Protect and Restore Nature” category. The award recognizes its remarkable success in restoring the saiga antelope population and expanding protected natural areas in Kazakhstan.
Cultural Diplomacy
·By promoting its cultural heritage and engaging in people-to-people diplomacy, Kazakhstan is enhancing its global engagement. For example:
- Abai Cultural Centres: Kazakhstan has established Abai Cultural Centers in various countries to promote Kazakh language, culture, and literature. Named after the famous Kazakh poet and philosopher Abai Qunanbaiuly, these centres serve as cultural ambassadors, facilitating people-to-people diplomacy by offering language courses, cultural events, and academic exchanges.
- Bolashak Scholarship Program: Kazakhstan’s Bolashak International Scholarship Program, established in 1993, is one of the country’s most successful initiatives in people-to-people diplomacy. The program has provided scholarships to over 12,000 Kazakh students to study at top universities worldwide, who then return to Kazakhstan and contribute to the country's development.
- World Nomad Games: The country hosted the World Nomad Games in September 2024, an international event which brought together athletes from around 80 countries to celebrate traditional nomadic culture, including sports, music, and arts.
Born Bold Campaign
-“Born Bold” is Kazakhstan’s recent international promotion campaign, showcasing the country’s dynamic, forward-thinking approach to economic growth, social progress, and innovation.
-It highlights Kazakhstan’s strategic sectors, such as energy, logistics, education, and tourism, positioning the country as a bold and attractive destination for global businesses, investments, and cultural exchange.
-The campaign promotes Kazakhstan’s economic diversification, reducing reliance on traditional sectors and positioning the country as a leader in new industries, from AI and technology to renewable energy and finance.
-Most importantly, the campaign is centered around Kazakhstan’s most valuable asset: its people. In addition to capturing the unique Kazakh mindset, the campaign highlights a workforce that is young, highly educated, highly skilled, digitally native, and dynamic.
-Kazakhstan invites global investors, businesses, and innovators to harness the bold spirit of our population, explore Kazakhstan’s many opportunities, engage with our vibrant economy, and contribute to a shared vision of sustainable progress.
FACTS ABOUT KAZAKHSTAN
Territory
Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, equivalent in area to Western Europe (2,724,900 km²). It is also the world’s largest landlocked state, bordered by the inland Caspian Sea. Approximately 94.5% of the country’s territory is located in Asia, and 5.5% in Europe (about 148,000 km²), which is comparable to the territory of Greece (131,957 km²).
Borders
Kazakhstan’s land borders span a total length of 13,200 km. The country shares borders (clockwise from the north) with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Kazakhstan’s 7,591 km land border with Russia is the second longest in the world (after the U.S.-Canada border) and the longest continuous land border. This distance is roughly equivalent to the straight-line distance from New York to Istanbul (8,069 km).
From north to south, Kazakhstan stretches 1,700 km, and from east to west, it extends more than 3,000 km.
Population
Kazakhstan has a population of 20,243,981. The population density is 7.5 people per km².
The largest ethnic group is Kazakhs, comprising more than 70% of the population. The remaining 30% includes Russians (15.2%), Uzbeks (3.3%), Ukrainians (1.9%), Uighurs (1.4%), Germans (1.2%), Tatars (1.1%), Azerbaijanis (0.8%), Koreans (0.6%), Turks (0.5%), Belarusians (0.4%), Kyrgyz (0.2%), Poles (0.2%), Armenians (0.1%), and other groups. In total, there are more than 120 ethnic groups in the country.
The largest cities, with the status of national significance, are the capital of Astana (1,511,807 people), Almaty (2,280,296 people), and Shymkent (1,249,581 people).
According to 2024 data, the average life expectancy is 75.09 years; the birth rate is 18.47 per 1,000 population; and the infant mortality rate is 6.5 cases per 1,000 births.
Religion
According to the Constitution, Kazakhstan is a secular state.
The majority of the population (about 70%) are Sunni Muslims, while 26% are Christians, including Orthodox, Catholics, and Protestants. The remaining 4% of the population consists of adherents of other religious movements, individuals who are undecided, or atheists.
Overall, there are approximately 4,000 registered religious organizations in Kazakhstan representing 18 denominations. These include mosques, churches, synagogues, Buddhist temples, and other places of worship.
Civil sector
Currently, more than 18,000 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operate in Kazakhstan. Most of these NGOs are based in Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, Karaganda, and Kyzylorda regions.
Visa-free regime
As of October 2024, citizens of Kazakhstan benefit from a visa-free regime with 41 countries through bilateral and unilateral agreements.
In turn, Kazakhstan offers visa-free travel to citizens of 86 countries, including 33 under concluded agreements and 52 on a unilateral basis, encompassing all OECD member states.
Diplomatic representation
Kazakhstan has established diplomatic relations with 187 states.
The country maintains 121 diplomatic missions in 80 countries, including 75 embassies, 26 general consulates, 6 consulates, 7 permanent missions to international organisations, 3 other diplomatic missions and 4 temporarily non-functioning missions.
There are 128 diplomatic missions of foreign states and international organisations based in Kazakhstan. These include 71 embassies, 24 general consulates, one consulate, and 32 representations of international organisations.
Security and multilateral diplomacy
Kazakhstan is a full member of nearly all major international organizations dedicated to maintaining global security and stability. Its notable contributions include chairing the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2011, and serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2017-2018.
In 2024, Kazakhstan has held the chairmanship of several key organizations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Islamic Organisation of Food Security (IOFS), International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), and the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS).
Additionally, Kazakhstan plays an active role in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Gross domestic product (GDP)
According to IMF data, Kazakhstan’s GDP per capita in 2024, measured in purchasing power parity (PPP), is $34,530, while nominal GDP per capita stands at $14,780. This figure surpasses the GDP per capita of several countries, including Russia ($14,390), China ($13,140), Georgia ($8,830), Armenia ($8,580), Azerbaijan ($7,640), Belarus ($7,560), Uzbekistan ($2,670), Kyrgyzstan ($1,920), and Tajikistan ($1,270).
At the end of 2023, Kazakhstan’s GDP reached $264 billion. Plans indicate that by 2029, the GDP will amount to $450 billion, requiring an average annual growth rate of 6%. GDP growth rates were 5.1% in 2023, 3.3% in 2022, and 4.3% in 2021.
Foreign trade
In 2023, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade volume reached $139.8 billion, with exports totaling $78.7 billion and imports amounting to $61.1 billion, marking a 3.2% year-on-year increase.
Major trading partners:
·China: $31.5 billion (22.5%)
·Russia: $26 billion (18.6%)
·Italy: $16.1 billion (11.5%)
·South Korea: $6 billion (4.3%)
·Türkiye: $6 billion (4.3%)
·Netherlands: $4.4 billion
·Uzbekistan: $4.4 billion
·France: $4.2 billion
·USA: $4.1 billion
·Germany: $3.9 billion
Main export items:
·Oil: $42.3 billion (53.8%)
·Uranium: $3.4 billion (4.4%)
·Copper products: $3.2 billion (4.1%)
·Copper ore: $3 billion (3.9%)
·Ferroalloys: $2.3 billion (3%)
·Natural gas: $2.1 billion (2.6%)
·Wheat: $1.8 billion (2.4%)
·Petroleum products: $1.1 billion (1.4%)
Main import items:
·Equipment and electrical machinery: $15.5 billion (25.3%)
·Motor vehicles and parts: $7.8 billion (12.7%)
·Non-precious metals: $5.6 billion (9.2%)
·Food products: $4.8 billion (7.8%)
·Textiles: $4.8 billion (7.8%)
From January to October 2024, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade turnover reached $116.9 billion, reflecting a 1.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Investments
Since 1993, Kazakhstan has attracted a total of 441 billion dollars in foreign direct investments (FDI). Top 10 investors since 2005 have been the Netherlands, the USA, Switzerland, China, Russia, France, the UK, Belgium, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.
In 2023, Kazakhstan’s gross FDI inflow reached $23.4 billion, while the first half of 2024 saw an inflow of $9.8 billion. Key investors during this period included:
· Netherlands: $6 billion
· Russia: $2.8 billion
· Switzerland: $2.1 billion
· China: $1.7 billion
· South Korea: $1.2 billion
· USA: $1 billion
· Belgium: $1 billion
· France: $884 million
· UAE: $868.8 million
· UK: $794.5 million
Transportation
Between January and November 2024, Kazakhstan handled a total of 977.4 million tons of cargo, a 9.2% increase from the same period of 2023. The breakdown is as follows:
·Rail transport: 390.6 million tons (+2.6%)
·Road transport: 341.5 million tons (+19.9%)
·Pipelines: 136.7 million tons (+4.1%)
·Sea and coastal transport: 2.6 million tons (+2.2%)
·Inland water transport: 349,700 tons (-53.6%)
A total of 13 international transport corridors cross Kazakhstan, including 5 railroad and 8 road corridors. In 2023, transit traffic volume reached 32 million tons, with a target of 35 million tons by 2029.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, has a throughput capacity of 6 million tons, including 100,000 TEU, spanning a total length of 6,180 km.
In 2023, 2.76 million tons of cargo were transported along the TITR, a 65% increase from 2022 (1.7 million tons) and three times the volume in 2021 (840,000 tons). In the first eleven months of 2024, cargo transportation along the TITR increased by 63%, reaching 4.1 million tonnes, with the total for the year projected to reach 4.2 million tonnes.
Kazakhstan and its international partners have expressed strong interest in further developing the TITR, which serves as a key link between Europe and Central Asia. At the Global Gateway Investment Forum in Brussels in January 2024, the EU committed €10 billion to interconnectivity projects in Central Asia. Additionally, the European Investment Bank and EBRD signed MOUs worth €1.47 billion with the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the Development Bank of Kazakhstan.
To enhance the TITR’s efficiency, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Georgian Railway, and Azerbaijan Railways established a joint venture, Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd., offering a one-stop-shop multimodal service on the China–Europe/Türkiye–China route.
In November 2024, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and China formed a joint venture to build a 40-hectare intermodal cargo terminal at the Port of Baku, as announced during COP29. Scheduled for completion in 2025, the terminal aims to boost container traffic along the China-Europe-China route via the TITR by reducing delivery times, costs, and transshipment delays.
Industry and energy
In 2023, Kazakhstan experienced 4.3% production growth, with industrial products worth 103.1 billion tenge produced.
The country produced 90 million tons of oil, marking an increase of 6.9% from the previous year’s 84.2 million tons. Additionally, 58.8 million cubic meters of natural gas and 107.8 million tons of hard coal were produced. At the start of 2024, oil production averaged 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd), an increase of 15,000 bpd, while liquefied natural gas and condensate production stood at 0.4 million bpd, a decrease of 10,000 bpd. The oil production target for 2024 is set at 90.3 million tons. Kazakhstan’s estimated oil reserves stand at 78 billion tons.
Kazakhstan ranks 18th globally in gold reserves. In 2023, the country produced 132.8 tons of unprocessed and semi-processed precious metals, a 2.3% increase from the previous year. Gold refining remained stable at 73 tons.
The production of all types of ores, except for iron and lead-zinc ores, showed growth. Notably, manganese ore production reached 907,900 tons, a 2.6-fold increase, aluminum ores 4.6 million tons (+9.2%), and chrome ores 6.1 million tons (+6.8%).
The country is rich in various solid minerals, including iron, copper, uranium, zinc, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, gold, and aluminum. Kazakhstan holds significant shares of the world’s reserves in tungsten (63%), chromium (48%), uranium (14%), silver (6%), and copper (more than 4%).
Kazakhstan is the world’s largest producer and exporter of natural uranium, accounting for over 40% of global production and exports.
The country has 15 rare earth metal deposits across three regions: Turkestan, Mangistau, and Kostanai. It also possesses significant ore deposits of tantalum, niobium, and rare earth elements from the yttrium and cerium groups. Its raw material reserves include tungsten (2.2 million tons), molybdenum (1 million tons), lithium (75,600 tons), tantalum (4,600 tons), niobium (28,100 tons), and beryllium (58,000 tons), among others.
Kazakhstan produces 18 of the 34 types of raw materials identified as “critical materials” by the EU.
Agro sector
Kazakhstan, a top ten grain exporter, plays a role in addressing food shortages in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa due to its vast arable land and strategic trade routes.
In 2024, Kazakhstan harvested 26.7 million tons of grain—a decade-high—contributing to a 12.7% growth in its agricultural sector. The country has 200 million hectares of agricultural land, with about 100 million hectares regularly utilized.
Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial sector experienced significant growth in 2024, driven by record-breaking harvests, increased investment, and robust government support.
Positive Dynamics in the Agricultural Sector in 2024
·Growth: Increased by 13.4% to 7.8 trillion tenge (US$14.9 billion), surpassing the annual target of 11.6%.
·Crop Production: Increased by 18.8%.
·Livestock Production: Grew by 3.3%.
Crop Production
·Fertilizers: 1.3 million tons of mineral fertilizers applied, nearly double last year’s amount.
·Seeds: Use of elite seeds rose from 7.1% to 9%.
·Machinery: Renewal rate of agricultural machinery increased from 4.5% to 5%.
·Grain Harvest: 26.7 million tons, including:
oWheat: 19.8 million tons
oRice: 563,000 tons
·Other Crops:
oPotatoes: 2.9 million tons
oVegetables: 3.9 million tons
oOilseeds: 3.2 million tons
oCotton: 300,000 tons
Livestock Production
·Meat: Slaughter-weight meat production increased by 4%.
· Dairy & Eggs: Cow’s milk production rose by 4.4%; chicken eggs by 1.2%.
·Livestock Numbers: Cattle (+20.6%), sheep and goats (+9%), horses (+4.9%), camels (+4.7%).
Food Production
·Overall Growth: Food production increased by 2.1% to nearly 3 trillion tenge (US$5.7 billion).
·Key Increases:
oGroats: 1.7x increase
oCheese & Cottage Cheese: +8.7%
oVegetable Oil: +12%
oFermented Dairy Products: +5.2%
oSausage Products: +4.1%
oButter: +2.9%
oDairy Farms: 65 new farms added 372,000 tons of annual milk production.
State budget
In 2023, revenues totaled $58.9 billion (+23.1%), with tax revenues contributing $57.3 billion (+27.4%). The budget deficit was maintained at 2.7% of GDP.
In the first 11 months of 2024, state budget revenues amounted to $35.9 billion (19 trillion tenge), achieving 90% of the planned target.
Kazakhstan’s public debt stood at $56 billion (22.7% of GDP). As of November 2024, gold and foreign exchange reserves totaled $44.2 billion, including $25.2 billion in gold. The assets of the National Fund reached $60.8 billion during the same period, with a net contribution of over $5 billion in 2023.
Astana International Financial Center (AIFC)
As of 2024, over 3,400 companies from 85 countries were registered at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The official Astana International Exchange (AIX) list includes 150 securities issued by 94 different issuers, 37 trading members, and around 15 custodial companies.
In 2023, the total trading volume on the AIX reached $582 million, reflecting a 236% increase from 2022. This included $130 million in equity trading and $452 million in debt trading.
Since its inception in 2018, the AIFC platform has facilitated investments exceeding $14 billion.
Official Development Assistance (ODA)
Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has provided over $600 million in humanitarian aid and official development assistance (ODA).
In 2023, Kazakhstan’s ODA and humanitarian assistance totaled more than $11.8 million, distributed as follows: Türkiye - $1 million, Palestine - over $1 million, Pakistan - $0.5 million, Tajikistan - $4.6 million, Afghanistan - $4.5 million, Syria - $174,700.
In December 2020, Kazakhstan established the Kazakhstan Agency for International Development (KazAID), a non-profit joint-stock company dedicated to coordinating the country’s international development initiatives.
RATINGS
· Policy and Security
In the 2024 Global Soft Power Index, Kazakhstan ranked 80th out of 193 countries, emerging as the top performer among Central Asian states according to the barometer.
Kazakhstan has been recognized as the most peaceful country in the Eurasian region according to the Global Peace Index (GPI) for 2024.
The country’s ranking rose from 78th to 59th place in the global index, which includes a total of 163 countries. This progress of 10.8% compared to 2023 highlights Kazakhstan's commitment to fostering peace and stability in the region.
According to Numbeo’s 2024 Crime Rate Ranking, Kazakhstan ranked 75th out of 146 countries, with a crime index of 45.9, indicating a moderate level. The country’s security level is comparable to Greece and Canada. Among CIS countries, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus reported higher crime rates than Kazakhstan.
In the 2024 Global Firepower ranking, Kazakhstan secured 58th place out of 145 states in terms of military power, improving by five positions from 2023. Following Kazakhstan are Azerbaijan (59th), Belarus (64th), Uzbekistan (65th), Turkmenistan (83rd), Kyrgyzstan (100th), Armenia (102nd), and Tajikistan (107th).
Kazakhstan ranked 32nd out of 113 countries (1st among CIS countries) in the Global Food Security Index 2022, which assesses food security based on four parameters: availability, variety, quality, and adaptability.
· Economy and Finance
In 2024, Kazakhstan achieved highest-ever Moody’s rating: Baa1 with stable outlook. The international rating agency upgraded the Kazakh government’s long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings from Baa2 and changed the outlook to stable from positive.
According to the international rating agency FitchRatings, Kazakhstan’s sovereign credit rating is BBB, with a “stable” outlook.
Rating agency S&P Global Ratings affirmed Kazakhstan’s long-term and short-term sovereign credit ratings on foreign and local currency liabilities at “BBB-/A-3” in 2024. The outlook on the ratings remains “stable”.
In the 2024 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, Kazakhstan ranked 35th among 67 nations, climbing 8 positions from 2022. This study evaluates factors such as Economic Performance, Government Efficiency, Business Efficiency, and Infrastructure.
According to the FDI Intelligence ranking of the best markets for investment in emerging markets in 2024, Kazakhstan secured 6th place in terms of the dynamics of attracting foreign direct investment.
Kazakhstan has improved its position in the Basel AML Index
for 2024, a global ranking assessing the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing. The country ranked 111th out of 164 nations, marking
the best performance in Kazakhstan's history in this index. In this ranking, Kazakhstan outperformed several developed countries, including the United States, Japan, Singapore, China, Qatar, Italy, Hungary, and Türkiye.
· Sustainable Development and Social Progress
In this year's independent World Happiness Report, Kazakhstan ranked 49th out of 137 countries. The World Happiness Report is an annual publication that assesses global happiness. Following Kazakhstan are Kyrgyzstan (75th), Tajikistan (88th), Türkiye (98th) and Azerbaijan (101st).
In the Social Progress Index, Kazakhstan ranked 63rd out of 170 countries, surpassing Russia (76th), Uzbekistan (81st), Kyrgyzstan (86th), Azerbaijan (99th), Turkmenistan (104th), and Tajikistan (116th).
Kazakhstan is ranked 67th out of 193 countries in the Human Development Index 2023/2024 and has been classified under the “very high level” of human development category for the last several years. In comparison, Belarus is ranked 69th, China 75th, Azerbaijan 89th, Ukraine 100th, Uzbekistan 106th, and Kyrgyzstan 117th. This index, calculated by the UN Development Program, measures standards of living, literacy, education, and longevity.
In the ESG Index 2023, an international ranking in the field of sustainable development, Kazakhstan ranked 52nd out of 183 countries.
In the UN Global E-Government Development Index, Kazakhstan ranks 28th for the development of e-government, the highest position among landlocked developing countries. The ranking is based on assessments of electronic services, human capital, and telecommunications infrastructure.
At the end of 2023, Kazakhstan ranked 54th out of 76 countries (1st among CIS countries) in the Green Future Index 2023. This rating takes into account the progress of countries in transitioning their economies to green technologies in various spheres.
In the 2024 WIPO Global Innovation Index, Kazakhstan entered the top three nations in Central and Southern Asia, advancing to 78th place.
· Travel & Tourism
In the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, Kazakhstan ranked 52nd among 119 countries, receiving high scores in health and hygiene, price competitiveness, and the socio-economic impact of tourism. In the previous 2021 ranking, Kazakhstan was 66th among 117 countries.
In the 2024 Henley & Partners International Passport Index, Kazakhstan advanced to 65th place, up from 73rd in 2022, due to an increase in the number of countries allowing visa-free entry for its citizens.
In Arton Capital’s 2024 Passport Index, Kazakhstan ranked 53rd, improving from 56th in 2023.
Overview
Since gaining independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has pursued a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy, fostering mutually respectful and beneficial relations with its neighbours, global actors such as Russia, China, the European Union, and the United States, and the international community at large.
In recent months, Kazakhstan’s active international engagement has led to its recognition as an emerging middle power capable of contributing more significantly to the global agenda. This paper aims to explore the factors underlying such expectations.
Diplomatic Engagement and Pragmatic Foreign Policy
·Kazakhstan has sought to contribute to addressing global and regional issues by initiating and participating in international forums and helping to ease regional conflicts. These efforts have enabled Kazakhstan to support international stability while pursuing its national interests. For example:
- Astana Process on Syria: Kazakhstan has contributed to reducing violence in Syria by hosting the Astana Process on Syria since 2017. The talks, held in Kazakhstan’s capital, brought together the Syrian government, opposition groups, and three guarantor-states, including Russia, Türkiye, and Iran. This process has facilitated dialogue and decreased hostilities in the Syrian conflict.
- Providing a Platform for the Armenia-Azerbaijan Talks: Kazakhstan hosted negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan in May 2024, aiming to ease tensions and promote peace between the two nations, which have been embroiled in a long-standing conflict. Kazakhstan’s goodwill services, the so-called good offices, underscore its role as a neutral ground for dialogue.
- Leadership in International Organisations: Kazakhstan chaired several international organisations in 2024 alone, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Organisation of Turkic States, the Consultative Meetings of States of Central Asia and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. These leadership roles allow Kazakhstan to contribute to regional cooperation on security, economic, and cultural issues. For instance, under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship in 2023-2024, the SCO focused on enhancing regional security cooperation and economic connectivity among its member states.
- Kazakhstan initiated and continues to host the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), a forum aimed at enhancing cooperation and security in Asia. The CICA includes 28 participating states, including China, Russia, and India, and serves as a platform for dialogue on regional security issues. Kazakhstan’s role in this forum demonstrates its commitment to fostering peace and cooperation in a volatile region.
- Kazakhstan established the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2003, which serves as a platform for fostering dialogue among diverse religious leaders from around the globe. Dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and peace, the Congress advances cooperation across different faiths, contributing to international stability. Its 8th convocation is scheduled to take place in Astana in September 2025.
- In 2023, Kazakhstan launched the Astana International Forum, an annual platform for addressing key global challenges. The Forum serves as a venue for high-level delegates from foreign governments, international organisations, businesses, and academic circles to engage in dialogue and seek solutions to issues such as climate change, food shortages, and energy security. The next forum is scheduled for May 29-30, 2025
- Organised by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies and held under the auspices of the Astana International Forum on October
16-17, 2024, the Astana Think Tank Forum featured an engaging programme of keynote speeches, panel sessions, roundtables, and networking opportunities. With top think tanks, foreign policy advisors, diplomats, and researchers from over 20 countries in attendance, the two-day event offered thought-provoking insights that are expected to have a lasting impact on global policy discussions around the growing role of middle powers. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a keynote address, underscoring the responsibility of middle powers to foster cohesion and cooperation in the international system.
- Kazakhstan actively participated in major international environmental events in 2024, including the “One Water Summit” in Riyadh and COP29 in Baku. As a co-organizer of the Summit, alongside France and Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan addressed issues such as global water resource management, innovative water infrastructure, and sustainable development.
At COP 29, Kazakhstan demonstrated leadership in the climate agenda, reaffirming its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and presenting initiatives on methane emission reduction, climate financing, and land restoration.
Kazakhstan’s Commitment to Humanitarian Aid
·Kazakhstan is committed to providing humanitarian aid, both regionally and globally. Since its independence, Kazakhstan has allocated resources to humanitarian efforts through the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID).
·This aid includes disaster relief, food security initiatives, and support for education and healthcare in developing nations. Specifically:
- Afghanistan: Kazakhstan has supported Afghanistan’s development, particularly in education and infrastructure. Through the Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Partnership, Kazakhstan has provided scholarships to Afghan students, enabling them to pursue higher education in Kazakhstan. Additionally, Kazakhstan has supported infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, helping to rebuild sectors such as agriculture and transportation.
- Humanitarian Assistance in Response to Global Crises: Kazakhstan responded swiftly to global humanitarian crises, providing aid to countries affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and pandemics. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kazakhstan sent medical supplies and personal protective equipment to several countries in need, including its neighbours in Central Asia and beyond.
Strategic Economic Position and Connectivity
·Kazakhstan’s strategic geographic location and its role as a transit hub for global trade routes underscore its role in global cooperation. The country’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the EU’s Global Gateway project has positioned it as an important link between East and West.
·Kazakhstan’s investments in infrastructure, especially in transportation and logistics, have positioned it as an important part of the global supply chain. Kazakhstan leverages its geographic and economic strengths to contribute to international trade and economic development. Specifically:
- Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR): This route connects China to Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye. Kazakhstan has invested in developing this corridor as part of its broader strategy to become a transit hub. This Corridor provides an alternative to traditional routes, which has gained importance, especially in light of geopolitical tensions. The route has seen noticeable growth in cargo volume in recent years, with Kazakhstan playing a key role in facilitating trade between Europe and Asia.
- Khorgos Gateway: Located on the Kazakhstan-China border, the Khorgos Gateway is a major dry port that serves as a link in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This facility allows for the seamless transfer of goods between railways of different gauges (standard in China and broad in Kazakhstan).
- Caspian Sea Ports Expansion: Kazakhstan has invested in expanding its Caspian Sea ports, such as the Aktau and Kuryk ports, to increase their capacity and efficiency. These ports are important to the TITR, enabling Kazakhstan to export oil, minerals, and other goods to European and global markets. This expansion aligns with Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to strengthen its logistics infrastructure.
- Western Europe-Western China Expressway: Kazakhstan has developed its section of the Western Europe-Western China expressway, which is a key part of the international highway network connecting Europe and China.
Contribution to Global Security and Peacekeeping
·Countries are often recognised for their ability to contribute to global governance and conflict resolution without being major military powers, and Kazakhstan exemplifies this through its role in international peacekeeping and diplomacy. Specifically:
- United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): Kazakhstan has contributed peacekeepers to the UNIFIL mission, which is tasked with monitoring the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.
- United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights: Kazakhstan has deployed peacekeepers to the UNDOF mission, which has been monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights since 1974.
- United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS): Kazakhstan has also participated in the UNMISS, which focuses on consolidating peace and security in South Sudan, protecting civilians, and supporting the implementation of the peace agreement.
- United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA): Kazakhstan has provided peacekeepers to the UNISFA mission, which operates in the Abyei Area between Sudan and South Sudan, a region plagued by territorial disputes and intercommunal violence.
Environmental Stewardship
·Kazakhstan is committed to taking decisive action against climate change, with a clear roadmap to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Specifically:
- Reduction of carbon emissions: The country’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement reflect this commitment, with a pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 15% unconditionally by 2030. Additionally, Kazakhstan has set a conditional target of a 25% reduction, contingent on climate investments and technology transfer. This is a key milestone towards a greener, more sustainable Kazakhstan, ensuring the country contributes to global climate efforts.
- Water Diplomacy: Kazakhstan and France hosted the One Water Summit in December 2024. This summit served as a platform for global leaders to discuss and implement strategies for sustainable water management.
- Aral Sea: Kazakhstan is committed to the restoration and revitalisation of the Aral Sea region. The country is chairing the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in 2024-2026 to foster collaboration among Central Asian nations in this area.
- Regional Climate Initiatives: Kazakhstan launched the Project Office for Central Asia on Climate Change and Green Energy in Almaty, which will serve as a hub for coordinating efforts across the region. In 2026, Kazakhstan will host the Regional Climate Summit under the auspices of the UN and other international organisations, bringing together regional and global leaders to address climate challenges.
- Reforestation and Biodiversity Conservation: The government has made considerable efforts in reforestation and biodiversity conservation. From 2021 to 2023, Kazakhstan planted around 840 million trees. A significant achievement in this area is the successful reintroduction of Przewalski’s horses to the “Altyn Dala” nature reserve, with plans to continue this programme until 2029. Additionally, Kazakhstan is advancing the Tiger Reintroduction Programme, with plans to reintroduce tigers into the Ile-Balkhash nature reserve.
- “Altyn Dala” Initiative: This project, dedicated to protecting Kazakhstan’s steppe ecosystems, won the prestigious Earthshot Prize 2024 in the “Protect and Restore Nature” category. The award recognizes its remarkable success in restoring the saiga antelope population and expanding protected natural areas in Kazakhstan.
Cultural Diplomacy
·By promoting its cultural heritage and engaging in people-to-people diplomacy, Kazakhstan is enhancing its global engagement. For example:
- Abai Cultural Centres: Kazakhstan has established Abai Cultural Centers in various countries to promote Kazakh language, culture, and literature. Named after the famous Kazakh poet and philosopher Abai Qunanbaiuly, these centres serve as cultural ambassadors, facilitating people-to-people diplomacy by offering language courses, cultural events, and academic exchanges.
- Bolashak Scholarship Program: Kazakhstan’s Bolashak International Scholarship Program, established in 1993, is one of the country’s most successful initiatives in people-to-people diplomacy. The program has provided scholarships to over 12,000 Kazakh students to study at top universities worldwide, who then return to Kazakhstan and contribute to the country's development.
- World Nomad Games: The country hosted the World Nomad Games in September 2024, an international event which brought together athletes from around 80 countries to celebrate traditional nomadic culture, including sports, music, and arts.
Born Bold Campaign
-“Born Bold” is Kazakhstan’s recent international promotion campaign, showcasing the country’s dynamic, forward-thinking approach to economic growth, social progress, and innovation.
-It highlights Kazakhstan’s strategic sectors, such as energy, logistics, education, and tourism, positioning the country as a bold and attractive destination for global businesses, investments, and cultural exchange.
-The campaign promotes Kazakhstan’s economic diversification, reducing reliance on traditional sectors and positioning the country as a leader in new industries, from AI and technology to renewable energy and finance.
-Most importantly, the campaign is centered around Kazakhstan’s most valuable asset: its people. In addition to capturing the unique Kazakh mindset, the campaign highlights a workforce that is young, highly educated, highly skilled, digitally native, and dynamic.
-Kazakhstan invites global investors, businesses, and innovators to harness the bold spirit of our population, explore Kazakhstan’s many opportunities, engage with our vibrant economy, and contribute to a shared vision of sustainable progress.
FACTS ABOUT KAZAKHSTAN
Territory
Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, equivalent in area to Western Europe (2,724,900 km²). It is also the world’s largest landlocked state, bordered by the inland Caspian Sea. Approximately 94.5% of the country’s territory is located in Asia, and 5.5% in Europe (about 148,000 km²), which is comparable to the territory of Greece (131,957 km²).
Borders
Kazakhstan’s land borders span a total length of 13,200 km. The country shares borders (clockwise from the north) with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Kazakhstan’s 7,591 km land border with Russia is the second longest in the world (after the U.S.-Canada border) and the longest continuous land border. This distance is roughly equivalent to the straight-line distance from New York to Istanbul (8,069 km).
From north to south, Kazakhstan stretches 1,700 km, and from east to west, it extends more than 3,000 km.
Population
Kazakhstan has a population of 20,243,981. The population density is 7.5 people per km².
The largest ethnic group is Kazakhs, comprising more than 70% of the population. The remaining 30% includes Russians (15.2%), Uzbeks (3.3%), Ukrainians (1.9%), Uighurs (1.4%), Germans (1.2%), Tatars (1.1%), Azerbaijanis (0.8%), Koreans (0.6%), Turks (0.5%), Belarusians (0.4%), Kyrgyz (0.2%), Poles (0.2%), Armenians (0.1%), and other groups. In total, there are more than 120 ethnic groups in the country.
The largest cities, with the status of national significance, are the capital of Astana (1,511,807 people), Almaty (2,280,296 people), and Shymkent (1,249,581 people).
According to 2024 data, the average life expectancy is 75.09 years; the birth rate is 18.47 per 1,000 population; and the infant mortality rate is 6.5 cases per 1,000 births.
Religion
According to the Constitution, Kazakhstan is a secular state.
The majority of the population (about 70%) are Sunni Muslims, while 26% are Christians, including Orthodox, Catholics, and Protestants. The remaining 4% of the population consists of adherents of other religious movements, individuals who are undecided, or atheists.
Overall, there are approximately 4,000 registered religious organizations in Kazakhstan representing 18 denominations. These include mosques, churches, synagogues, Buddhist temples, and other places of worship.
Civil sector
Currently, more than 18,000 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operate in Kazakhstan. Most of these NGOs are based in Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, Karaganda, and Kyzylorda regions.
Visa-free regime
As of October 2024, citizens of Kazakhstan benefit from a visa-free regime with 41 countries through bilateral and unilateral agreements.
In turn, Kazakhstan offers visa-free travel to citizens of 86 countries, including 33 under concluded agreements and 52 on a unilateral basis, encompassing all OECD member states.
Diplomatic representation
Kazakhstan has established diplomatic relations with 187 states.
The country maintains 121 diplomatic missions in 80 countries, including 75 embassies, 26 general consulates, 6 consulates, 7 permanent missions to international organisations, 3 other diplomatic missions and 4 temporarily non-functioning missions.
There are 128 diplomatic missions of foreign states and international organisations based in Kazakhstan. These include 71 embassies, 24 general consulates, one consulate, and 32 representations of international organisations.
Security and multilateral diplomacy
Kazakhstan is a full member of nearly all major international organizations dedicated to maintaining global security and stability. Its notable contributions include chairing the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2011, and serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2017-2018.
In 2024, Kazakhstan has held the chairmanship of several key organizations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Islamic Organisation of Food Security (IOFS), International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), and the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS).
Additionally, Kazakhstan plays an active role in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Gross domestic product (GDP)
According to IMF data, Kazakhstan’s GDP per capita in 2024, measured in purchasing power parity (PPP), is $34,530, while nominal GDP per capita stands at $14,780. This figure surpasses the GDP per capita of several countries, including Russia ($14,390), China ($13,140), Georgia ($8,830), Armenia ($8,580), Azerbaijan ($7,640), Belarus ($7,560), Uzbekistan ($2,670), Kyrgyzstan ($1,920), and Tajikistan ($1,270).
At the end of 2023, Kazakhstan’s GDP reached $264 billion. Plans indicate that by 2029, the GDP will amount to $450 billion, requiring an average annual growth rate of 6%. GDP growth rates were 5.1% in 2023, 3.3% in 2022, and 4.3% in 2021.
Foreign trade
In 2023, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade volume reached $139.8 billion, with exports totaling $78.7 billion and imports amounting to $61.1 billion, marking a 3.2% year-on-year increase.
Major trading partners:
·China: $31.5 billion (22.5%)
·Russia: $26 billion (18.6%)
·Italy: $16.1 billion (11.5%)
·South Korea: $6 billion (4.3%)
·Türkiye: $6 billion (4.3%)
·Netherlands: $4.4 billion
·Uzbekistan: $4.4 billion
·France: $4.2 billion
·USA: $4.1 billion
·Germany: $3.9 billion
Main export items:
·Oil: $42.3 billion (53.8%)
·Uranium: $3.4 billion (4.4%)
·Copper products: $3.2 billion (4.1%)
·Copper ore: $3 billion (3.9%)
·Ferroalloys: $2.3 billion (3%)
·Natural gas: $2.1 billion (2.6%)
·Wheat: $1.8 billion (2.4%)
·Petroleum products: $1.1 billion (1.4%)
Main import items:
·Equipment and electrical machinery: $15.5 billion (25.3%)
·Motor vehicles and parts: $7.8 billion (12.7%)
·Non-precious metals: $5.6 billion (9.2%)
·Food products: $4.8 billion (7.8%)
·Textiles: $4.8 billion (7.8%)
From January to October 2024, Kazakhstan’s foreign trade turnover reached $116.9 billion, reflecting a 1.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Investments
Since 1993, Kazakhstan has attracted a total of 441 billion dollars in foreign direct investments (FDI). Top 10 investors since 2005 have been the Netherlands, the USA, Switzerland, China, Russia, France, the UK, Belgium, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.
In 2023, Kazakhstan’s gross FDI inflow reached $23.4 billion, while the first half of 2024 saw an inflow of $9.8 billion. Key investors during this period included:
· Netherlands: $6 billion
· Russia: $2.8 billion
· Switzerland: $2.1 billion
· China: $1.7 billion
· South Korea: $1.2 billion
· USA: $1 billion
· Belgium: $1 billion
· France: $884 million
· UAE: $868.8 million
· UK: $794.5 million
Transportation
Between January and November 2024, Kazakhstan handled a total of 977.4 million tons of cargo, a 9.2% increase from the same period of 2023. The breakdown is as follows:
·Rail transport: 390.6 million tons (+2.6%)
·Road transport: 341.5 million tons (+19.9%)
·Pipelines: 136.7 million tons (+4.1%)
·Sea and coastal transport: 2.6 million tons (+2.2%)
·Inland water transport: 349,700 tons (-53.6%)
A total of 13 international transport corridors cross Kazakhstan, including 5 railroad and 8 road corridors. In 2023, transit traffic volume reached 32 million tons, with a target of 35 million tons by 2029.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, has a throughput capacity of 6 million tons, including 100,000 TEU, spanning a total length of 6,180 km.
In 2023, 2.76 million tons of cargo were transported along the TITR, a 65% increase from 2022 (1.7 million tons) and three times the volume in 2021 (840,000 tons). In the first eleven months of 2024, cargo transportation along the TITR increased by 63%, reaching 4.1 million tonnes, with the total for the year projected to reach 4.2 million tonnes.
Kazakhstan and its international partners have expressed strong interest in further developing the TITR, which serves as a key link between Europe and Central Asia. At the Global Gateway Investment Forum in Brussels in January 2024, the EU committed €10 billion to interconnectivity projects in Central Asia. Additionally, the European Investment Bank and EBRD signed MOUs worth €1.47 billion with the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the Development Bank of Kazakhstan.
To enhance the TITR’s efficiency, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Georgian Railway, and Azerbaijan Railways established a joint venture, Middle Corridor Multimodal Ltd., offering a one-stop-shop multimodal service on the China–Europe/Türkiye–China route.
In November 2024, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and China formed a joint venture to build a 40-hectare intermodal cargo terminal at the Port of Baku, as announced during COP29. Scheduled for completion in 2025, the terminal aims to boost container traffic along the China-Europe-China route via the TITR by reducing delivery times, costs, and transshipment delays.
Industry and energy
In 2023, Kazakhstan experienced 4.3% production growth, with industrial products worth 103.1 billion tenge produced.
The country produced 90 million tons of oil, marking an increase of 6.9% from the previous year’s 84.2 million tons. Additionally, 58.8 million cubic meters of natural gas and 107.8 million tons of hard coal were produced. At the start of 2024, oil production averaged 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd), an increase of 15,000 bpd, while liquefied natural gas and condensate production stood at 0.4 million bpd, a decrease of 10,000 bpd. The oil production target for 2024 is set at 90.3 million tons. Kazakhstan’s estimated oil reserves stand at 78 billion tons.
Kazakhstan ranks 18th globally in gold reserves. In 2023, the country produced 132.8 tons of unprocessed and semi-processed precious metals, a 2.3% increase from the previous year. Gold refining remained stable at 73 tons.
The production of all types of ores, except for iron and lead-zinc ores, showed growth. Notably, manganese ore production reached 907,900 tons, a 2.6-fold increase, aluminum ores 4.6 million tons (+9.2%), and chrome ores 6.1 million tons (+6.8%).
The country is rich in various solid minerals, including iron, copper, uranium, zinc, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, gold, and aluminum. Kazakhstan holds significant shares of the world’s reserves in tungsten (63%), chromium (48%), uranium (14%), silver (6%), and copper (more than 4%).
Kazakhstan is the world’s largest producer and exporter of natural uranium, accounting for over 40% of global production and exports.
The country has 15 rare earth metal deposits across three regions: Turkestan, Mangistau, and Kostanai. It also possesses significant ore deposits of tantalum, niobium, and rare earth elements from the yttrium and cerium groups. Its raw material reserves include tungsten (2.2 million tons), molybdenum (1 million tons), lithium (75,600 tons), tantalum (4,600 tons), niobium (28,100 tons), and beryllium (58,000 tons), among others.
Kazakhstan produces 18 of the 34 types of raw materials identified as “critical materials” by the EU.
Agro sector
Kazakhstan, a top ten grain exporter, plays a role in addressing food shortages in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa due to its vast arable land and strategic trade routes.
In 2024, Kazakhstan harvested 26.7 million tons of grain—a decade-high—contributing to a 12.7% growth in its agricultural sector. The country has 200 million hectares of agricultural land, with about 100 million hectares regularly utilized.
Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial sector experienced significant growth in 2024, driven by record-breaking harvests, increased investment, and robust government support.
Positive Dynamics in the Agricultural Sector in 2024
·Growth: Increased by 13.4% to 7.8 trillion tenge (US$14.9 billion), surpassing the annual target of 11.6%.
·Crop Production: Increased by 18.8%.
·Livestock Production: Grew by 3.3%.
Crop Production
·Fertilizers: 1.3 million tons of mineral fertilizers applied, nearly double last year’s amount.
·Seeds: Use of elite seeds rose from 7.1% to 9%.
·Machinery: Renewal rate of agricultural machinery increased from 4.5% to 5%.
·Grain Harvest: 26.7 million tons, including:
oWheat: 19.8 million tons
oRice: 563,000 tons
·Other Crops:
oPotatoes: 2.9 million tons
oVegetables: 3.9 million tons
oOilseeds: 3.2 million tons
oCotton: 300,000 tons
Livestock Production
·Meat: Slaughter-weight meat production increased by 4%.
· Dairy & Eggs: Cow’s milk production rose by 4.4%; chicken eggs by 1.2%.
·Livestock Numbers: Cattle (+20.6%), sheep and goats (+9%), horses (+4.9%), camels (+4.7%).
Food Production
·Overall Growth: Food production increased by 2.1% to nearly 3 trillion tenge (US$5.7 billion).
·Key Increases:
oGroats: 1.7x increase
oCheese & Cottage Cheese: +8.7%
oVegetable Oil: +12%
oFermented Dairy Products: +5.2%
oSausage Products: +4.1%
oButter: +2.9%
oDairy Farms: 65 new farms added 372,000 tons of annual milk production.
State budget
In 2023, revenues totaled $58.9 billion (+23.1%), with tax revenues contributing $57.3 billion (+27.4%). The budget deficit was maintained at 2.7% of GDP.
In the first 11 months of 2024, state budget revenues amounted to $35.9 billion (19 trillion tenge), achieving 90% of the planned target.
Kazakhstan’s public debt stood at $56 billion (22.7% of GDP). As of November 2024, gold and foreign exchange reserves totaled $44.2 billion, including $25.2 billion in gold. The assets of the National Fund reached $60.8 billion during the same period, with a net contribution of over $5 billion in 2023.
Astana International Financial Center (AIFC)
As of 2024, over 3,400 companies from 85 countries were registered at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The official Astana International Exchange (AIX) list includes 150 securities issued by 94 different issuers, 37 trading members, and around 15 custodial companies.
In 2023, the total trading volume on the AIX reached $582 million, reflecting a 236% increase from 2022. This included $130 million in equity trading and $452 million in debt trading.
Since its inception in 2018, the AIFC platform has facilitated investments exceeding $14 billion.
Official Development Assistance (ODA)
Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has provided over $600 million in humanitarian aid and official development assistance (ODA).
In 2023, Kazakhstan’s ODA and humanitarian assistance totaled more than $11.8 million, distributed as follows: Türkiye - $1 million, Palestine - over $1 million, Pakistan - $0.5 million, Tajikistan - $4.6 million, Afghanistan - $4.5 million, Syria - $174,700.
In December 2020, Kazakhstan established the Kazakhstan Agency for International Development (KazAID), a non-profit joint-stock company dedicated to coordinating the country’s international development initiatives.
RATINGS
· Policy and Security
In the 2024 Global Soft Power Index, Kazakhstan ranked 80th out of 193 countries, emerging as the top performer among Central Asian states according to the barometer.
Kazakhstan has been recognized as the most peaceful country in the Eurasian region according to the Global Peace Index (GPI) for 2024.
The country’s ranking rose from 78th to 59th place in the global index, which includes a total of 163 countries. This progress of 10.8% compared to 2023 highlights Kazakhstan's commitment to fostering peace and stability in the region.
According to Numbeo’s 2024 Crime Rate Ranking, Kazakhstan ranked 75th out of 146 countries, with a crime index of 45.9, indicating a moderate level. The country’s security level is comparable to Greece and Canada. Among CIS countries, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus reported higher crime rates than Kazakhstan.
In the 2024 Global Firepower ranking, Kazakhstan secured 58th place out of 145 states in terms of military power, improving by five positions from 2023. Following Kazakhstan are Azerbaijan (59th), Belarus (64th), Uzbekistan (65th), Turkmenistan (83rd), Kyrgyzstan (100th), Armenia (102nd), and Tajikistan (107th).
Kazakhstan ranked 32nd out of 113 countries (1st among CIS countries) in the Global Food Security Index 2022, which assesses food security based on four parameters: availability, variety, quality, and adaptability.
· Economy and Finance
In 2024, Kazakhstan achieved highest-ever Moody’s rating: Baa1 with stable outlook. The international rating agency upgraded the Kazakh government’s long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings from Baa2 and changed the outlook to stable from positive.
According to the international rating agency FitchRatings, Kazakhstan’s sovereign credit rating is BBB, with a “stable” outlook.
Rating agency S&P Global Ratings affirmed Kazakhstan’s long-term and short-term sovereign credit ratings on foreign and local currency liabilities at “BBB-/A-3” in 2024. The outlook on the ratings remains “stable”.
In the 2024 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, Kazakhstan ranked 35th among 67 nations, climbing 8 positions from 2022. This study evaluates factors such as Economic Performance, Government Efficiency, Business Efficiency, and Infrastructure.
According to the FDI Intelligence ranking of the best markets for investment in emerging markets in 2024, Kazakhstan secured 6th place in terms of the dynamics of attracting foreign direct investment.
Kazakhstan has improved its position in the Basel AML Index
for 2024, a global ranking assessing the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing. The country ranked 111th out of 164 nations, marking
the best performance in Kazakhstan's history in this index. In this ranking, Kazakhstan outperformed several developed countries, including the United States, Japan, Singapore, China, Qatar, Italy, Hungary, and Türkiye.
· Sustainable Development and Social Progress
In this year's independent World Happiness Report, Kazakhstan ranked 49th out of 137 countries. The World Happiness Report is an annual publication that assesses global happiness. Following Kazakhstan are Kyrgyzstan (75th), Tajikistan (88th), Türkiye (98th) and Azerbaijan (101st).
In the Social Progress Index, Kazakhstan ranked 63rd out of 170 countries, surpassing Russia (76th), Uzbekistan (81st), Kyrgyzstan (86th), Azerbaijan (99th), Turkmenistan (104th), and Tajikistan (116th).
Kazakhstan is ranked 67th out of 193 countries in the Human Development Index 2023/2024 and has been classified under the “very high level” of human development category for the last several years. In comparison, Belarus is ranked 69th, China 75th, Azerbaijan 89th, Ukraine 100th, Uzbekistan 106th, and Kyrgyzstan 117th. This index, calculated by the UN Development Program, measures standards of living, literacy, education, and longevity.
In the ESG Index 2023, an international ranking in the field of sustainable development, Kazakhstan ranked 52nd out of 183 countries.
In the UN Global E-Government Development Index, Kazakhstan ranks 28th for the development of e-government, the highest position among landlocked developing countries. The ranking is based on assessments of electronic services, human capital, and telecommunications infrastructure.
At the end of 2023, Kazakhstan ranked 54th out of 76 countries (1st among CIS countries) in the Green Future Index 2023. This rating takes into account the progress of countries in transitioning their economies to green technologies in various spheres.
In the 2024 WIPO Global Innovation Index, Kazakhstan entered the top three nations in Central and Southern Asia, advancing to 78th place.
· Travel & Tourism
In the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, Kazakhstan ranked 52nd among 119 countries, receiving high scores in health and hygiene, price competitiveness, and the socio-economic impact of tourism. In the previous 2021 ranking, Kazakhstan was 66th among 117 countries.
In the 2024 Henley & Partners International Passport Index, Kazakhstan advanced to 65th place, up from 73rd in 2022, due to an increase in the number of countries allowing visa-free entry for its citizens.
In Arton Capital’s 2024 Passport Index, Kazakhstan ranked 53rd, improving from 56th in 2023.