2011 Edition

Background

Ethnic Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. During the 1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled non-ethnic Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence in 1991 drove many of these newcomers to emigrate. Kazakhstan's economy is larger than those of all the other Central Asian states largely due to the country's vast natural resources. Current issues include: developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets; diversifying the economy outside the oil, gas, and mining sectors; enhancing Kazakhstan's economic competitiveness; developing a multiparty parliament and advancing political and social reform; and strengthening relations with neighboring states and other foreign powers.

Ethnic Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. Durin

developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets; diversifying the economy outside the oil, gas, and mining sectors; enhancing Kazakhstan's economic competitiveness; developing a multiparty parliament and advancing political and social reform; and strengthening relations with neighboring states and other foreign powers.

Area

2,724,900 sq km 2,699,700 sq km 25,200 sq km

total

2,724,900 sq km

water

25,200 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than four times the size of Texas

Climate

continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid

Coastline

0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea, now split into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km)

Elevation extremes

Vpadina Kaundy -132 m Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m

highest point

Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m

lowest point

Vpadina Kaundy -132 m

Environment - current issues

radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defense industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers that flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

party to

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

35 cu km/yr (2%/17%/82%) 2,360 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

2,360 cu m/yr (2000)

total

35 cu km/yr (2%/17%/82%)

Geographic coordinates

48 00 N, 68 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004, Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050

Irrigated land

35,560 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

12,185 km China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,224 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km

border countries

China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,224 km, Russia 6,846 km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km

total

12,185 km

Land use

8.28% 0.05% 91.67% (2005)

arable land

8.28%

other

91.67% (2005)

permanent crops

0.05%

Location

Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural (Zhayyq) River in eastern-most Europe

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

earthquakes in the south; mudslides around Almaty

Natural resources

major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium

Terrain

vast flat steppe extending from the Volga in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east and from the plains of western Siberia in the north to oases and deserts of Central Asia in the south

Total renewable water resources

109.6 cu km (1997)

Age structure

21.6% (male 1,709,929/female 1,637,132) 71% (male 5,373,755/female 5,654,461) 7.4% (male 392,689/female 754,407) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

21.6% (male 1,709,929/female 1,637,132)

15-64 years

71% (male 5,373,755/female 5,654,461)

65 years and over

7.4% (male 392,689/female 754,407) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

16.65 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4.9% (2006)

Death rate

9.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 90% of population total: 95% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 10% of population total: 5% of population (2008)

rural

10% of population

total

5% of population (2008)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

Kazakh (Qazaq) 63.1%, Russian 23.7%, Uzbek 2.8%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Uighur 1.4%, Tatar 1.3%, German 1.1%, other 4.5% (2009 census)

Health expenditures

4.3% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

13,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

7.6 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

24.15 deaths/1,000 live births 28.44 deaths/1,000 live births 19.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

19.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

24.15 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

68.51 years 63.24 years 74.08 years (2011 est.)

female

74.08 years (2011 est.)

total population

68.51 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.5% 99.8% 99.3% (1999 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.3% (1999 est.)

male

99.8%

total population

99.5%

Major cities - population

Almaty 1.383 million; ASTANA (capital) 650,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

45 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

30.2 years 28.7 years 31.9 years (2011 est.)

female

31.9 years (2011 est.)

male

28.7 years

total

30.2 years

Nationality

Kazakhstani(s) Kazakhstani

adjective

Kazakhstani

noun

Kazakhstani(s)

Net migration rate

-3.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

3.877 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

15,522,373 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.4% (2011 est.)

Religions

Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97% of population rural: 98% of population total: 97% of population urban: 3% of population rural: 2% of population total: 3% of population (2008)

rural

2% of population

total

3% of population (2008)

urban

3% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 15 years 16 years (2010)

female

16 years (2010)

male

15 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.058 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.53 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.53 male(s)/female

at birth

1.058 male(s)/female

total population

0.93 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.87 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

6.7% 6.8% 8.2% (2008)

female

8.2% (2008)

total

6.7%

Urbanization

59% of total population (2010) 1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

59% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

14 provinces (oblystar, singular - oblys) and 3 cities* (qalalar, singular - qala); Almaty Oblysy, Almaty Qalasy*, Aqmola Oblysy (Astana), Aqtobe Oblysy, Astana Qalasy*, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys Qazaqstan Oblysy [West Kazakhstan] (Oral), Bayqongyr Qalasy [Baykonur]*, Mangghystau Oblysy (Aqtau), Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy [South Kazakhstan] (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy, Qaraghandy Oblysy, Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Shyghys Qazaqstan Oblysy [East Kazakhstan] (Oskemen), Soltustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Petropavlovsk), Zhambyl Oblysy (Taraz) administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses); in 1995, the Governments of Kazakhstan and Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would lease for a period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the Baykonur space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr (Baykonur, formerly Leninsk); in 2004, a new agreement extended the lease to 2050

Capital

Astana 51 10 N, 71 25 E UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Kazakhstan is divided into two time zones

geographic coordinates

51 10 N, 71 25 E

name

Astana

time difference

UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

first post-independence constitution adopted 28 January 1993; new constitution adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995

Country name

Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Qazaqstan Respublikasy Qazaqstan Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic

conventional long form

Republic of Kazakhstan

conventional short form

Kazakhstan

former

Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Qazaqstan Respublikasy

local short form

Qazaqstan

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Richard E. HOAGLAND Ak Bulak 4, Str. 23-22, Building #3, Astana 010010 use embassy street address [7] (7172) 70-21-00 [7] (7172) 34-08-90

chief of mission

Ambassador Richard E. HOAGLAND

embassy

Ak Bulak 4, Str. 23-22, Building #3, Astana 010010

FAX

[7] (7172) 34-08-90

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[7] (7172) 70-21-00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Yerlan IDRISSOV 1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 232-5488 [1] (202) 232-5845 Los Angeles New York

chancery

1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Yerlan IDRISSOV

consulate(s)

New York

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 232-5845

telephone

[1] (202) 232-5488

Executive branch

President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected president 1 December 1991) Prime Minister Karim MASIMOV (since 10 January 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister Umirzak SHUKEYEV (since 3 March 2009), Deputy Prime Ministers Yerbol ORYNBAYEV (since 29 October 2007), Aset ISEKESHEV (since 12 March 2010) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 3 April 2011 (next to be held December 2016); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president, with Mazhilis approval; note - constitutional amendments of May 2007 shortened the presidential term from seven years to five years and established a two-consecutive-term limit; changes will take effect after NAZARBAYEV's term ends; he, and only he, is allowed to run for president indefinitely constitutional amendments of January 2011 moved election date from 2012 to April 2011 but kept five-year term; subsequent election to take place December 2016 Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 95.5%, other 4.5%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected president 1 December 1991)

election results

Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 95.5%, other 4.5%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 3 April 2011 (next to be held December 2016); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president, with Mazhilis approval; note - constitutional amendments of May 2007 shortened the presidential term from seven years to five years and established a two-consecutive-term limit; changes will take effect after NAZARBAYEV's term ends; he, and only he, is allowed to run for president indefinitely

head of government

Prime Minister Karim MASIMOV (since 10 January 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister Umirzak SHUKEYEV (since 3 March 2009), Deputy Prime Ministers Yerbol ORYNBAYEV (since 29 October 2007), Aset ISEKESHEV (since 12 March 2010)

Flag description

a gold sun with 32 rays above a soaring golden steppe eagle, both centered on a sky blue background; the hoist side displays a national ornamental pattern "koshkar-muiz" (the horns of the ram) in gold; the blue color is of religious significance to the Turkic peoples of the country, and so symbolizes cultural and ethnic unity; it also represents the endless sky as well as water; the sun, a source of life and energy, exemplifies wealth and plenitude; the sun's rays are shaped like grain, which is the basis of abundance and prosperity; the eagle has appeared on the flags of Kazakh tribes for centuries and represents freedom, power, and the flight to the future

Government type

republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch

Independence

16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (44 members); Constitutional Council (seven members)

Legal system

civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and by the theory and practice of the Russian Federation

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (47 seats; 15 members are appointed by the president; 32 members elected by local assemblies; members serve six-year terms, but elections are staggered with half of the members up for re-election every three years) and the Mazhilis (107 seats; 9 out of the 107 Mazhilis members elected by the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, a presidentially appointed advisory body designed to represent the country's ethnic minorities; non-appointed members are popularly elected to serve five-year terms) Senate - (indirect) last held in October 2008 (next to be held in 2011); Mazhilis - last held on 18 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nur Otan 16; Mazhilis - percent of vote by party - Nur-Otan 88.1%, NSDP 4.6%, Ak Zhol 3.3%, Auyl 1.6%, Communist People's Party 1.3%, Patriots Party 0.8% Ruhaniyat 0.4%; seats by party - Nur-Otan 98; note - parties had to achieve a threshold of 7% of the electorate to qualify for seats in the Mazhilis; changes to electoral legislation enacted since the 2007 election now ensure that the second-placed party will enter the Majilis at the next parliamentary election, even if it does not clear the 7% threshold

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nur Otan 16; Mazhilis - percent of vote by party - Nur-Otan 88.1%, NSDP 4.6%, Ak Zhol 3.3%, Auyl 1.6%, Communist People's Party 1.3%, Patriots Party 0.8% Ruhaniyat 0.4%; seats by party - Nur-Otan 98; note - parties had to achieve a threshold of 7% of the electorate to qualify for seats in the Mazhilis; changes to electoral legislation enacted since the 2007 election now ensure that the second-placed party will enter the Majilis at the next parliamentary election, even if it does not clear the 7% threshold

elections

Senate - (indirect) last held in October 2008 (next to be held in 2011); Mazhilis - last held on 18 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012)

National anthem

"Menin Qazaqstanim" (My Kazakhstan) Zhumeken NAZHIMEDENOV and Nursultan NAZARBAYEV/Shamshi KALDAYAKOV adopted 2006; President Nursultan NAZARBAYEV played a role in revising the lyrics

lyrics/music

Zhumeken NAZHIMEDENOV and Nursultan NAZARBAYEV/Shamshi KALDAYAKOV

name

"Menin Qazaqstanim" (My Kazakhstan)

National holiday

Independence Day, 16 December (1991)

National symbol(s)

golden eagle

Political parties and leaders

Adilet (Justice) [Maksut NARIKBAYEV, Zeynulla ALSHIMBAYEV, Serik ABDRAHMANOV, Bakhytbek AKHMETZHAN, Yerkin ONGARBAYEV, Tolegan SYDYKOV] (formerly Democratic Party of Kazakhstan); Agrarian and Industrial Union of Workers Block or AIST (Agrarian Party and Civic Party); Ak Zhol Party (Bright Path) [Alikhan BAYMENOV]; Alga [Vladimir KOZLOV] (unregistered); Auyl (Village) [Gani KALIYEV]; Azat (Freedom) Party [Bolat ABILOV] (formerly True Ak Zhol Party); Azat NSDP [co-chaired by Bolat ABILOV and Zharmakhan TUYAKBAY]; Azat and NSDP united in 2009, but the authorities have refused to register Azat NSDP as a single party; Communist Party of Kazakhstan or KPK [Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN]; Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan [Vladislav KOSAREV]; National Social Democratic Party or NSDP [Zharmakhan TUYAKBAY]; Nur Otan [Bakhytzhan ZHUMAGULOV] (the Agrarian, Asar, and Civic parties merged with Otan); Patriots' Party [Gani KASYMOV]; Rukhaniyat (Spirituality) [Serikzhan MAMBETALIN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA]; Almaty Helsinki Committee [Ninel FOKINA]; Confederation of Free Trade Unions [Sergei BELKIN]; For Fair Elections [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS (jailed), Sabit ZHUSUPOV, Sergey DUVANOV, Ibrash NUSUPBAYEV]; Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, executive director]; Pan-National Social Democratic Party of Kazakhstan [Zharmakhan TUYAKBAY]; Pensioners Movement or Pokoleniye [Irina SAVOSTINA, chairwoman]; Republican Network of International Monitors [Dos KUSHIM]; Transparency International [Sergey ZLOTNIKOV]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

grain (mostly spring wheat), cotton; livestock

Budget

$29.18 billion $32.77 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$32.77 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$29.18 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2010 est.) 7% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.161% (31 December 2010 est.) 6.757% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

$4.319 billion (2010 est.) -$4.221 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$124.1 billion (30 June 2011 est.) $95.91 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

26.7 (2009) 31.5 (2003)

Economy - overview

Kazakhstan, geographically the largest of the former Soviet republics, excluding Russia, possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves and plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals, such as uranium, copper, and zinc. It also has a large agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain. In 2002 Kazakhstan became the first country in the former Soviet Union to receive an investment-grade credit rating, and from 2000 through 2007, Kazakhstan's economy grew more than 9% per year. Extractive industries, particularly hydrocarbons and mining, have been the engines of this growth. However, geographic limitations and decaying infrastructure present serious obstacles. Landlocked, with restricted access to the high seas, Kazakhstan relies on its neighbors to export its products, especially oil and gas. Although its Caspian Sea ports and rail lines carrying oil have been upgraded, civil aviation has been neglected. Telecoms are improving, but require considerable investment, as does the information technology base. Supply and distribution of electricity can be erratic. At the end of 2007, global financial markets froze up and the loss of capital inflows to Kazakhstani banks caused a credit crunch. The subsequent and sharp fall of oil and commodity prices in 2008 aggravated the economic situation, and Kazakhstan plunged into recession. While the global financial crisis took a significant toll on Kazakhstan's economy, it has rebounded well. In response to the crisis, Kazakhstan's government devalued the tenge (Kazakhstan's currency) to stabilize market pressures and injected $19 billion in economic stimulus. Rising commodity prices have helped revive Kazakhstan's economy, which registered 7% growth in 2010. Barring a dramatic decline in oil prices, strong growth is expected to continue in 2011. Despite solid macroeconomic indicators, the government realizes that its economy suffers from an overreliance on oil and extractive industries, the so-called "Dutch disease." In response, Kazakhstan has embarked on an ambitious diversification program, aimed at developing targeted sectors like transport, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, petrochemicals and food processing.

Electricity - consumption

77.9 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

2.483 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.94 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

75.61 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

tenge (KZT) per US dollar - 147.28 (2010) 147.5 (2009) 120.25 (2008) 122.55 (2007) 126.09 (2006)

Exports

$60.84 billion (2010 est.) $43.93 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil and oil products 59%, ferrous metals 19%, chemicals 5%, machinery 3%, grain, wool, meat, coal

Exports - partners

China 20.2%, Germany 9.1%, Russia 8.5%, France 7.1%, Turkey 4.5%, Canada 4.5%, Italy 4.1% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

5.4% 42.8% 51.8% (2010 est.)

agriculture

5.4%

industry

42.8%

services

51.8% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$12,700 (2010 est.) $11,900 (2009 est.) $11,800 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7% (2010 est.) 1.2% (2009 est.) 3.2% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$138.4 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$196.4 billion (2010 est.) $183.6 billion (2009 est.) $181.4 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.8% 25.2% (2007 est.)

highest 10%

25.2% (2007 est.)

lowest 10%

3.8%

Imports

$31.96 billion (2010 est.) $28.96 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, metal products, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Russia 34.3%, China 27.7%, Germany 5.2%, Ukraine 4% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

10% (2010 est.)

Industries

oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, uranium, iron and steel; tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.1% (2010 est.) 7.3% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

8.611 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

28.2% 18.2% 53.6% (2010)

agriculture

28.2%

industry

18.2%

services

53.6% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$60.74 billion (31 December 2010) $57.66 billion (31 December 2009) $31.08 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

8.572 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

9.9 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

6.1 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

35.61 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.407 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

249,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

1.501 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

172,500 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

1.61 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

30 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

8.2% (2009)

Public debt

15.5% of GDP (2010 est.) 13.5% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$28.27 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $23.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$66.23 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $52.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$13.76 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.958 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$79.13 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $69.17 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$67.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $62.65 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$21.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $16.58 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.8% (2010 est.) 6.6% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

state owns nearly all radio and TV transmission facilities and operates national TV and radio networks; nearly all nationwide TV networks are wholly or partly owned by the government; some former state-owned media outlets have been privatized and are controlled by the president's daughter, who heads the Khabar Agency that runs multiple TV and radio stations; a number of privately-owned TV stations; households with satellite dishes have access to foreign media; a small number of commercial radio stations operating along with state-run radio stations (2008)

Internet country code

.kz

Internet hosts

53,984 (2010)

Internet users

5.299 million (2009)

Telephone system

inherited an outdated telecommunications network from the Soviet era requiring modernization intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; number of fixed-line connections is gradually increasing and fixed-line teledensity now roughly 25 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing and the subscriber base now is roughly 100 per 100 persons country code - 7; international traffic with other former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (2008)

domestic

intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; number of fixed-line connections is gradually increasing and fixed-line teledensity now roughly 25 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing and the subscriber base now is roughly 100 per 100 persons

general assessment

inherited an outdated telecommunications network from the Soviet era requiring modernization

international

country code - 7; international traffic with other former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

4.011 million (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

19.768 million (2010)

Airports

97 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

8 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

16

2,438 to 3,047 m

26

914 to 1,523 m

5

over 3,047 m

10

total

65

under 914 m

8 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

13 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

6

914 to 1,523 m

5

over 3,047 m

5

total

32

under 914 m

13 (2010)

Heliports

3 (2010)

Merchant marine

petroleum tanker 6, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 1 (Ireland 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

1 (Ireland 1) (2010)

total

8

Pipelines

condensate 658 km; gas 12,317 km; oil 11,201 km; refined products 1,095 km; water 1,465 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk)

Railways

15,079 km 15,079 km 1.520-m gauge (4,000 km electrified) (2010)

total

15,079 km

Roadways

93,612 km 84,100 km 9,512 km (2008)

total

93,612 km

unpaved

9,512 km (2008)

Waterways

4,000 km (on the Ertis (Irtysh) River (80%) and Syr Darya (Syrdariya) River) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

4,163,629 4,179,051 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,179,051 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,163,629

Manpower fit for military service

2,909,999 3,528,169 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

3,528,169 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,909,999

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

125,322 119,541 (2010 est.)

female

119,541 (2010 est.)

male

125,322

Military branches

Kazakhstan Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Mobile Forces, Air Defense Forces (2010)

Kazakhstan Armed Forces

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Mobile Forces, Air Defense Forces (2010)

Military expenditures

1.1% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; minimum age for volunteers NA (2004)

Disputes - international

Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; field demarcation of the boundaries with Turkmenistan commenced in 2005, and with Uzbekistan in 2004; demarcation is scheduled to get underway with Russia in 2007; demarcation with China was completed in 2002; creation of a seabed boundary with Turkmenistan in the Caspian Sea remains under discussion; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratified Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on a one-fifth slice of the lake

Illicit drugs

significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS markets, as well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; significant consumer of opiates

Refugees and internally displaced persons

3,700 (Russia); 508 (Afghanistan) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

3,700 (Russia); 508 (Afghanistan) (2007)