2017 Edition

Background

Ethnic Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated to the region by 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. Soviet policies reduced the number of ethnic Kazakhs in the 1930s and enabled non-ethnic Kazakhs to outnumber natives. 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) further skewed the ethnic mixture. Non-Muslim ethnic minorities departed Kazakhstan in large numbers from the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s and a national program has repatriated about a million ethnic Kazakhs back to Kazakhstan. These trends have allowed Kazakhs to become the titular majority again. This dramatic demographic shift has also undermined the previous religious diversity and made the country more than 70% Muslim. 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, enhancing Kazakhstan's economic competitiveness, and strengthening relations with neighboring states and foreign powers.

Ethnic Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated to the region by 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. Soviet

developing a cohesive national identity, expanding the development of the country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets, diversifying the economy, enhancing Kazakhstan's economic competitiveness, and strengthening relations with neighboring states and foreign powers.

Area

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

land

2,699,700 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

387 m lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m highest point: Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m

highest point

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

mean elevation

387 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

Geographic coordinates

48 00 N, 68 00 E

Geography - note

world's largest landlocked country and one of only two landlocked countries in the world that extends into two continents (the other is Azerbaijan); 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

20,660 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

13,364 km China 1,765 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,212 km, Russia 7,644 km, Turkmenistan 413 km, Uzbekistan 2,330 km

border countries (5)

China 1,765 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,212 km, Russia 7,644 km, Turkmenistan 413 km, Uzbekistan 2,330 km

total

13,364 km

Land use

77.4% arable land 8.9%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 68.5% 1.2% 21.4% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

77.4%

forest

1.2%

other

21.4% (2011 est.)

Location

Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural (Zhayyq) River in easternmost 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

Population - distribution

most of the country displays a low population density, particularly the interior; population clusters appear in urban agglomerations in the far northern and southern portions of the country

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

Age structure

25.91% (male 2,374,427/female 2,434,212) 14.05% (male 1,329,376/female 1,277,615) 42.42% (male 3,847,282/female 4,024,052) 9.97% (male 810,019/female 1,040,917) 7.65% (male 494,064/female 924,734) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

25.91% (male 2,374,427/female 2,434,212)

15-24 years

14.05% (male 1,329,376/female 1,277,615)

25-54 years

42.42% (male 3,847,282/female 4,024,052)

55-64 years

9.97% (male 810,019/female 1,040,917)

65 years and over

7.65% (male 494,064/female 924,734) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

18.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2% (2015)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

55.7% (2015)

Death rate

8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

50.4 40.3 10.2 9.8 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

10.2

potential support ratio

9.8 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

50.4

youth dependency ratio

40.3

Drinking water source

urban: 99.4% of population rural: 85.6% of population total: 92.9% of population urban: 0.6% of population rural: 14.4% of population total: 7.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

14.4% of population

total

7.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.6% of population

Education expenditures

3.1% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

Kazakh (Qazaq) 63.1%, Russian 23.7%, Uzbek 2.9%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Uighur 1.4%, Tatar 1.3%, German 1.1%, other 4.4% (2009 est.)

Health expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

26,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

7.2 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

19.6 deaths/1,000 live births 22.3 deaths/1,000 live births 17.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

17.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

22.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

19.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Kazakh (official, Qazaq) 74% (understand spoken language), Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 94.4% (understand spoken language) (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

71.1 years 65.9 years 76 years (2017 est.)

female

76 years (2017 est.)

male

65.9 years

total population

71.1 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.8% 99.8% 99.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.8% (2015 est.)

male

99.8%

total population

99.8%

Major urban areas - population

Almaty 1.523 million; ASTANA (capital) 759,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

12 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

30.6 years 29.3 years 31.9 years (2017 est.)

female

31.9 years (2017 est.)

male

29.3 years

total

30.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

25 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Kazakhstani(s) Kazakhstani

adjective

Kazakhstani

noun

Kazakhstani(s)

Net migration rate

0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21% (2016)

Physicians density

3.27 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

18,556,698 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

most of the country displays a low population density, particularly the interior; population clusters appear in urban agglomerations in the far northern and southern portions of the country

Population growth rate

1.04% (2017 est.)

Religions

Muslim 70.2%, Christian 26.2% (mainly Russian Orthodox), other 0.2%, atheist 2.8%, unspecified 0.5% (2009 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97% of population rural: 98.1% of population total: 97.5% of population urban: 3% of population rural: 1.9% of population total: 2.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1.9% of population

total

2.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

3% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 15 years 15 years (2016)

female

15 years (2016)

male

15 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

0.94 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.53 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

0.98 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.78 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.53 male(s)/female

at birth

0.94 male(s)/female

total population

0.92 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.25 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

3.9% 3.6% 4.3% (2013 est.)

female

4.3% (2013 est.)

male

3.6%

total

3.9%

Urbanization

53.2% of total population (2017) 0.94% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.94% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

53.2% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

14 provinces (oblyslar, singular - oblys) and 2 cities* (qalalar, singular - qala); Almaty (Taldyqorghan), Almaty*, Aqmola (Kokshetau), Aqtobe, Astana*, Atyrau, Batys Qazaqstan [West Kazakhstan] (Oral), Mangghystau (Aqtau), Ongtustik Qazaqstan [South Kazakhstan] (Shymkent), Pavlodar, Qaraghandy, Qostanay, Qyzylorda, Shyghys Qazaqstan [East Kazakhstan] (Oskemen), Soltustik Qazaqstan [North Kazakhstan] (Petropavl), Zhambyl (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

note

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 has two time zones

geographic coordinates

51 10 N, 71 25 E

name

Astana

note

Kazakhstan has two time zones

time difference

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

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Kazakhstan no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Kazakhstan

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

previous 1937, 1978 (preindependence), 1993; latest approved by referendum 30 August 1995, effective 5 September 1995 proposed by the president of the republic on the recommendation of Parliament or the government; the president has the option of submitting draft amendments to Parliament or directly to a referendum; passage of amendments to Parliament requires three-fourths majority vote of both houses and the signature of the president; passage by referendum requires absolute majority vote by more than one-half of the voters in at least two-thirds of the oblasts, major cities, and the capital, followed by the signature of the president; amended several times, last in 2017 (2017)

amendments

proposed by the president of the republic on the recommendation of Parliament or the government; the president has the option of submitting draft amendments to Parliament or directly to a referendum; passage of amendments to Parliament requires three-fourths majority vote of both houses and the signature of the president; passage by referendum requires absolute majority vote by more than one-half of the voters in at least two-thirds of the oblasts, major cities, and the capital, followed by the signature of the president; amended several times, last in 2017 (2017)

history

previous 1937, 1978 (preindependence), 1993; latest approved by referendum 30 August 1995, effective 5 September 1995

Country name

Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Qazaqstan Respublikasy Qazaqstan Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic the name "Kazakh" derives from the Turkic word "kaz" meaning "to wander," recalling the Kazakh's nomadic lifestyle; the Persian suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country," so the word Kazakhstan literally means "Land of the Wanderers"

conventional long form

Republic of Kazakhstan

conventional short form

Kazakhstan

etymology

the name "Kazakh" derives from the Turkic word "kaz" meaning "to wander," recalling the Kazakh's nomadic lifestyle; the Persian suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country," so the word Kazakhstan literally means "Land of the Wanderers"

former

Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Qazaqstan Respublikasy

local short form

Qazaqstan

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador George KROL (since 18 March 2015) Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev Ave. No 3, Astana 010010 use embassy street address [7] (7172) 70-21-00 [7] (7172) 54-09-14 Almaty

chief of mission

Ambassador George KROL (since 18 March 2015)

Consulate(s) General

Almaty

embassy

Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev Ave. No 3, Astana 010010

FAX

[7] (7172) 54-09-14

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[7] (7172) 70-21-00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Erzhar KAZYKHANOV (since 24 April 2017) 1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 232-5488 [1] (202) 232-5845 New York

chancery

1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Erzhar KAZYKHANOV (since 24 April 2017)

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 232-5845

telephone

[1] (202) 232-5488

Executive branch

President Nursultan Abishuly NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected president 1 December 1991) Prime Minister Bakytzhan SAGINTAYEV (since 9 September 2016); First Deputy Prime Minister Askar MAMIN (since 13 September 2016) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held on 26 April 2015 (next to be held in 2020); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, approved by the Mazhilis; note - constitutional amendments in May 2007 shortened the presidential term from 7 to 5 years and established a 2-consecutive-term limit; NAZARBAYEV has official status as the "First President of Kazakhstan" and is allowed unlimited terms Nursultan Abishuly NAZARBAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Nursultan Abishuly NAZARBAYEV (Nur Otan) 97.8%, other 2.2%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

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

election results

Nursultan Abishuly NAZARBAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Nursultan Abishuly NAZARBAYEV (Nur Otan) 97.8%, other 2.2%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held on 26 April 2015 (next to be held in 2020); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, approved by the Mazhilis; note - constitutional amendments in May 2007 shortened the presidential term from 7 to 5 years and established a 2-consecutive-term limit; NAZARBAYEV has official status as the "First President of Kazakhstan" and is allowed unlimited terms

head of government

Prime Minister Bakytzhan SAGINTAYEV (since 9 September 2016); First Deputy Prime Minister Askar MAMIN (since 13 September 2016)

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

presidential republic

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, EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (compliant country), FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of the Republic (consists of 44 members); Constitutional Council (consists of 7 members) Supreme Court judges proposed by the president of the republic on recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council and confirmed by the Senate; judges normally serve until age 65 but can be extended to age 70; Constitutional Council - the president of the republic, the Senate chairperson, and the Majilis chairperson each appoints 1 member for a 3-year term and each appoints 1 member for a 6-year term; chairperson of the Constitutional Council appointed by the president of the republic for a 6-year term regional and local courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of the Republic (consists of 44 members); Constitutional Council (consists of 7 members)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges proposed by the president of the republic on recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council and confirmed by the Senate; judges normally serve until age 65 but can be extended to age 70; Constitutional Council - the president of the republic, the Senate chairperson, and the Majilis chairperson each appoints 1 member for a 3-year term and each appoints 1 member for a 6-year term; chairperson of the Constitutional Council appointed by the president of the republic for a 6-year term

subordinate courts

regional and local courts

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; 32 members indirectly elected by majority 2-round vote by the oblast-level assemblies and 15 members appointed by the president; members serve 6-year terms, with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) and the Mazhilis (107 seats; 98 members directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and 9 indirectly elected by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, a 350-member, presidentially appointed advisory body designed to represent the country's ethnic minorities) Senate - last held on 28 June 2017 (next to be held in 2020); Mazhilis - last held on 20 March 2016 (next to be held by 2021) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nur Otan 16; Mazhilis - percent of vote by party - Nur Otan 82.2%, Ak Zhol 7.2%, Communist People's Party 7.1%, other 3.5%; seats by party - Nur Otan 84, Ak Zhol 7, Communist People's Party 7

description

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (47 seats; 32 members indirectly elected by majority 2-round vote by the oblast-level assemblies and 15 members appointed by the president; members serve 6-year terms, with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) and the Mazhilis (107 seats; 98 members directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and 9 indirectly elected by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, a 350-member, presidentially appointed advisory body designed to represent the country's ethnic minorities)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nur Otan 16; Mazhilis - percent of vote by party - Nur Otan 82.2%, Ak Zhol 7.2%, Communist People's Party 7.1%, other 3.5%; seats by party - Nur Otan 84, Ak Zhol 7, Communist People's Party 7

elections

Senate - last held on 28 June 2017 (next to be held in 2020); Mazhilis - last held on 20 March 2016 (next to be held by 2021)

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)

note

adopted 2006; President Nursultan NAZARBAYEV played a role in revising the lyrics

National holiday

Independence Day, 16 December (1991)

National symbol(s)

golden eagle; national colors: blue, yellow

golden eagle; national colors

blue, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Ak Zhol (Bright Path) Party or Democratic Party of Kazakhstan Ak Zhol [Azat PERUASHEV] Auyl National Patriotic Party [Ali BEKTAYEV] (a merger of the Patriots’ Party and the Auyl Social Democratic Party) Birlik (Unity) [Serik SULTANGALI] (a merger of Adilet (Justice; formerly Democratic Party of Kazakhstan) and Rukhaniyat (Spirituality)) Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan [Vladislav KOSAREV] National Social Democratic Party or NSDP [Zharmakhan TUYAKBAY] Nur Otan (Radiant Fatherland) Democratic People's Party [Nursultan NAZARBAYEV] (the Agrarian, Asar, and Civic parties merged with Otan)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA] Chairman of Bureau's Council [Roza AKYLBEKOVA] Foundation for Support of Civil Initiatives [Nurul RAKHIMBEK] International Legal Initiative [Aina SHORMANBAYEVA] Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights and Rule of Law or KIBHR [Rosa AKYLBEKOVA] Legal Media Centre (sometimes known as the North Kazakhstan Legal Media Centre) [Diana OKREMOVA] Public Foundation for Parliamentary Development [Zauresh BATTALOVA] Republican Network of International Monitors or RNIM [Daniyar LIVAZOV] Transparency International [Natalya KOVALEVA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

grain (mostly spring wheat and barley), potatoes, vegetables, melons; livestock

Budget

$27.21 billion $27.57 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$27.57 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$27.21 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

11% (10 April 2017) 12% (9 January 2017)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.33% (31 December 2016 est.) 13.18% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-8.518 billion (2016 est.) $-5.142 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$163.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $154.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

26.3 (2013) 31.5 (2003)

Economy - overview

Kazakhstan, geographically the largest of the former Soviet republics, excluding Russia, possesses substantial fossil fuel reserves and other minerals and metals, such as uranium, copper, and zinc. It also has a large agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain. The government realizes that its economy suffers from an overreliance on oil and extractive industries and has made initial attempts to diversify its economy by targeting sectors like transport, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, petrochemicals and food processing for greater development and investment. Kazakhstan's vast hydrocarbon and mineral reserves form the backbone of its economy. Chevron-led Tengizchevroil announced a $36.8 billion expansion of Kazakhstan’s premiere Tengiz oil field in July 2016. Meanwhile, the super-giant Kashagan field finally launched production in October 2016 after years of delay and an estimated $55 billion in development costs. Kazakhstan is landlocked and depends on Russia to export its oil to Europe. It also exports oil directly to China. In 2010, Kazakhstan joined Russia and Belarus to establish a Customs Union in an effort to boost foreign investment and improve trade. The Customs Union evolved into a Single Economic Space in 2012 and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in January 2015. In part due to weak commodity prices, Kazakhstan’s exports to EAEU countries declined 23.5% in 2016. Imports from EAEU countries to Kazakhstan declined 13.7%. The economic downturn of its EAEU partner, Russia, and the decline in global commodity prices from 2014 to 2015 contributed to an economic slowdown in Kazakhstan, which continues to experience its slowest economic growth since the financial crises of 2008-09. In 2014, Kazakhstan devalued its currency, the tenge, and announced a stimulus package to cope with its economic challenges. In the face of further decline in the ruble, oil prices, and the regional economy, Kazakhstan announced in 2015 it would replace its currency band with a floating exchange rate, leading to a sharp fall in the value of the tenge. Since reaching a low of 391 to the dollar in January 2016, the tenge has modestly appreciated, helped by somewhat higher oil prices. Despite some positive institutional and legislative changes in the last several years, investors remain concerned about corruption, bureaucracy, and arbitrary law enforcement, especially at the regional and municipal levels. An additional concern is the condition of the country’s banking sector, which suffers from low liquidity, poor asset quality, and a lack of transparency. Investors also question the potentially negative effects on the economy of a contested presidential succession as Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan NAZARBAYEV, who turns 77 in 2017, has not announced whether he will seek reelection in 2019.

Exchange rates

tenge (KZT) per US dollar - 342.13 (2016 est.) 342.13 (2015 est.) 221.73 (2014 est.) 179.19 (2013 est.) 149.11 (2012 est.)

Exports

$37.3 billion (2016 est.) $46.52 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil and oil products, natural gas, ferrous metals, chemicals, machinery, grain, wool, meat, coal

Exports - partners

Italy 20.3%, China 11.5%, Russia 9.5%, Netherlands 8.9%, Switzerland 7.3%, France 4.9% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

55.8% 12.2% 23% 5.3% 33.3% -29.6% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

33.3%

government consumption

12.2%

household consumption

55.8%

imports of goods and services

-29.6% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

23%

investment in inventories

5.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

4.8% 33.9% 61.3% (2016 est.)

agriculture

4.8%

industry

33.9%

services

61.3% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$25,200 (2016 est.) $25,300 (2015 est.) $25,300 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.1% (2016 est.) 1.2% (2015 est.) 4.3% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$133.7 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$451.2 billion (2016 est.) $440.7 billion (2015 est.) $430.8 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

22.3% of GDP (2016 est.) 26.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 28.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

4.3% 22% (2013 est.)

highest 10%

22% (2013 est.)

lowest 10%

4.3%

Imports

$27.87 billion (2016 est.) $33.84 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, metal products, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Russia 36.2%, China 14.5%, Germany 5.7%, US 5.1% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

1.3% (2016 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)

14.6% (2016 est.) 6.7% (2015 est.)

Labor force

8.999 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

18.1% 20.4% 61.6% (2017 est.)

agriculture

18.1%

industry

20.4%

services

61.6% (2017 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$744 million (31 December 2016 est.) $4.737 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $26.23 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

2.7% (2015 est.)

Public debt

26.2% of GDP (2016 est.) 23.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$29.53 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $27.87 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$37.78 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $25.34 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$32.74 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $29.53 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$143.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $125.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$55.53 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $51.85 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$13.81 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $8.934 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

5% (2016 est.) 5% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

257.8 million Mt (2014 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1.292 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

145,800 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

1.595 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

30 billion bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

95.26 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

1.614 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

86.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

13.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.618 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

22.06 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

100.4 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

13.1 billion cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - exports

13.7 billion cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - imports

4.7 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

21.38 billion cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.407 trillion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

186,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

846 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

44,490 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

228,600 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

state owns nearly all radio and TV transmission facilities and operates national TV and radio networks; there are 3 TV channels: Kazakhstan, KAZsport, Balapan; and 4 radio stations: Kazakh Radiosy, Shalkar, Astana, and Classic; some former state-owned media outlets have been privatized; households with satellite dishes have access to foreign media; a small number of commercial radio stations operate along with state-run radio stations; recent legislation requires all media outlets to register with the government and all TV providers to broadcast in digital format by 2018; broadcasts reach 98.63% of the population as well as neighboring countries (2017)

state owns nearly all radio and TV transmission facilities and operates national TV and radio networks; there are 3 TV channels

Kazakhstan, KAZsport, Balapan; and 4 radio stations: Kazakh Radiosy, Shalkar, Astana, and Classic; some former state-owned media outlets have been privatized; households with satellite dishes have access to foreign media; a small number of commercial radio stations operate along with state-run radio stations; recent legislation requires all media outlets to register with the government and all TV providers to broadcast in digital format by 2018; broadcasts reach 98.63% of the population as well as neighboring countries (2017)

Internet country code

.kz

Internet users

14,100,751 76.8% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

76.8% (July 2016 est.)

total

14,100,751

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 inadequate; mobile-cellular usage increased rapidly and the subscriber base approaches 140 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 (2017)

domestic

intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; number of fixed-line connections is inadequate; mobile-cellular usage increased rapidly and the subscriber base approaches 140 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 (2017)

Telephones - fixed lines

3,931,100 21 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

21 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

3,931,100

Telephones - mobile cellular

25.395 million 138 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

138 (July 2016 est.)

total

25.395 million

Airports

96 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

8 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

15

2,438 to 3,047 m

25

914 to 1,523 m

5

over 3,047 m

10

total

63

under 914 m

8 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

13 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

5

over 3,047 m

5

total

33

under 914 m

13 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

UP (2016)

Heliports

3 (2013)

Merchant marine

cargo 1, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 3 (Austria 1, Ireland 1, Turkey 1) (2010)

by type

cargo 1, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned

3 (Austria 1, Ireland 1, Turkey 1) (2010)

total

11

National air transport system

5,081,631 37,669,008 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

37,669,008 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

5,081,631

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

71

number of registered air carriers

10

Pipelines

condensate 658 km; gas 12,432 km; oil 11,313 km; refined products 1,095 km; water 1,465 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

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

major seaport(s)

Caspian Sea - Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev)

river port(s)

Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk) (Irtysh River)

Railways

14,184 km 14,184 km 1.520-m gauge (4,056 km electrified) (2014)

broad gauge

14,184 km 1.520-m gauge (4,056 km electrified) (2014)

total

14,184 km

Roadways

97,418 km 87,140 km 10,278 km (2012)

paved

87,140 km

total

97,418 km

unpaved

10,278 km (2012)

Waterways

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

Military branches

Kazakhstan Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air Defense Forces (2017)

Kazakhstan Armed Forces

Land Forces, Navy, Air Defense Forces (2017)

Military expenditures

0.82% of GDP (2016) 3.45% of GDP (2015) 1.04% of GDP (2014) 1.08% of GDP (2013) 1.05% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is 2 years, but Kazakhstan is transitioning to a largely contract force; military cadets in intermediate (ages 15-17) and higher (ages 17-21) education institutes are classified as military service personnel (2017)

Disputes - international

Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; field demarcation of the boundaries commenced with Uzbekistan in 2004 and with Turkmenistan in 2005; ongoing demarcation with Russia began 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 sea

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

8,451 (2016)

stateless persons

8,451 (2016)