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Regions of Kazakhstan
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Regions of Kazakhstan
Қазақстан облыстары (Kazakh)
Области Казахстана (Russian)
  • Also known as:
  • Province
    Oblast
Kazakhstan provinces and their capitals since 8th June of 2022
CategoryUnitary state
LocationRepublic of Kazakhstan
Number17 regions and 4 cities (Almaty, Astana, Baikonur and Shymkent)
Populations36,175 (Baikonur) – 2,685,009 (Turkistan)
Areas680 km2 (263 sq mi) (Almaty) – 300,630 km2 (116,074 sq mi) (Aktobe)
Government
Subdivisions

Kazakhstan is divided into 17 regions[a] and 4 cities. The regions are further subdivided into districts.[b] The four cities, Almaty, Baikonur, Shymkent, and the capital city Astana, do not belong to their surrounding regions.

Initially, there were 14 regions. On 16 March 2022, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced that three new regions would be created.[1] Abai Region was created from East Kazakhstan Region with its capital in Semey. Ulytau Region was created from Karaganda Region with its capital in Jezkazgan. Jetisu Region was created from Almaty Region with its capital in Taldykorgan; Almaty Region's capital was moved from Taldykorgan to Qonayev.[2]

Regions

[edit]
Coat of arms Full English name Type Capital Full Kazakh name Full Russian name
Abai Region region Semey Абай облысы
Abai oblysy		 Абайская область
Abaiskaya Oblast′
Akmola Region region Kokshetau Ақмола облысы
Aqmola oblysy		 Акмолинская область
Akmolinskaya Oblast′
Aktobe Region region Aktobe Ақтөбе облысы
Aqtöbe oblysy		 Актюбинская область
Aktyubinskaya Oblast′
Almaty city[nb 1] Алматы қаласы
Almaty qalasy		 город Алматы
gorod Almaty
Almaty Region region Qonaev Алматы облысы
Almaty oblysy		 Алматинская область
Almatinskaya Oblast′
Astana city[nb 1] Астана қаласы
Astana qalasy		 город Астана
gorod Astana
Atyrau Region region[nb 2] Atyrau Атырау облысы
Atyrau oblysy		 Атырауская область
Atyrauskaya Oblast′
Baikonur city[nb 3] Байқоңыр қаласы
Baiqoñyr qalasy		 город Байконур
gorod Baykonur[3]
East Kazakhstan Region region Oskemen Шығыс Қазақстан облысы
Şyğys Qazaqstan oblysy		 Восточно-Казахстанская область
Vostochno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast′
Jambyl Region region Taraz Жамбыл облысы
Jambyl oblysy		 Жамбылская область
Zhambylskaya Oblast′
Jetisu Region region Taldykorgan Жетісу облысы
Jetısu oblysy		 Жетысуская область
Zhetysuskaya Oblast′
Karaganda Region region Karaganda Қарағанды облысы
Qarağandy oblysy		 Карагандинская область
Karagandinskaya Oblast′
Kostanay Region region Kostanay Қостанай облысы
Qostanai oblysy		 Костанайская область
Kostanayskaya Oblast′
Kyzylorda Region region Kyzylorda Қызылорда облысы
Qyzylorda oblysy		 Кызылординская область
Kyzylordinskaya Oblast′
Mangystau Region region Aktau Маңғыстау облысы
Mañğystau oblysy		 Мангыстауская область
Mangystauskaya Oblast′
North Kazakhstan Region region Petropavl Солтүстік Қазақстан облысы
Soltüstık Qazaqstan oblysy		 Северо-Казахстанская область
Severo-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast′
Pavlodar Region region Pavlodar Павлодар облысы
Pavlodar oblysy		 Павлодарская область
Pavlodarskaya Oblast′
Shymkent city[nb 1] Шымкент қаласы
Şymkent qalasy		 город Шымкент
gorod Shymkent
Turkistan Region
(formerly South Kazakhstan)		 region Turkistan Түркістан облысы
Türkıstan oblysy		 Туркестанская область
Turkestanskaya Oblast′
Ulytau Region region Jezkazgan Ұлытау облысы
Ūlytau oblysy		 Улытауская область
Ulytauskaya Oblast′
West Kazakhstan Region region[nb 2] Oral Батыс Қазақстан облысы
Batys Qazaqstan oblysy		 Западно-Казахстанская область
Zapadno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast′
The share of the European population by districts and cities of regional and republican subordination Kazakhstan in 2022
  ≥70%
  60.0 – 69.9%
  50.0 – 59.9%
  40.0 – 49.9%
  30.0 – 39.9%
  20.0 – 29.9%
  10.0 – 19.9%
  0.0 – 9.9%

Demographic statistics

[edit]

In 2022, three new regions were created - Abai (from part of East Kazakhstan), Jetisu (from part of Almaty Region) and Ulytau (from part of Karaganda Region).[4] In the following table, the 2009 population totals have been amended to reflect the population in the new or altered regions.

Entity Capital Area
(km2)		 Population
(2009)[5]		 Population
(2022)[6]		 Density
(2022) 		ISO 3166-2
Abai Region Semey 185,500 654,423 610,183 3.29 KZ-
Aqmola Region Kokshetau 146,219 737,495 786,012 5.38 KZ-AKM
Aqtobe Region Aqtobe 300,629 757,768 924,845 3.08 KZ-AKT
Almaty Almaty 682 1,449,696 2,147,113 3,148.26 KZ-ALA
Almaty Region Qonaev 105,100 1,103,237 1,497,025 14.24 KZ-ALM
Astana Astana 797 613,006 1,340,782 1,682.29 KZ-AST
Atyrau Region Atyrau 118,631 510,377 689,674 5.81 KZ-ATY
Baikonur Baikonur 57 36,175 34,544 606.04 KZ-BAY*
East Kazakhstan Region Oskemen 97,700 742,170 730,818 7.48 KZ-VOS
Jambyl Region Taraz 144,264 1,022,129 1,215,482 8.43 KZ-ZHA
Jetisu Region Taldyqorgan 118,500 620,593 698,952 5.90 KZ-
Karaganda Region Karaganda 239,100 1,118,036 1,134,146 4.74 KZ-KAR
Kostanay Region Kostanay 196,001 885,570 832,445 4.25 KZ-KUS
Kyzylorda Region Kyzylorda 226,019 678,794 830,901 3.68 KZ-KZY
Mangystau Region Aktau 165,642 485,392 761,401 4.60 KZ-MAN
North Kazakhstan Region Petropavl 97,993 596,535 534,966 5.46 KZ-SEV
Pavlodar Region Pavlodar 124,800 742,475 754,829 6.05 KZ-PAV
Shymkent Shymkent 1,163 730,873 1,184,113 1,018.15 KZ-
Turkistan Region Turkistan 116,100 1,738,484 2,110,502 18.18 KZ-TUR
West Kazakhstan Region Oral 151,339 598,880 686,655 4.54 KZ-ZAP
Ulytau Region Jezqazgan 188,900 223,664 221,014 1.17 KZ-

Former administrative boundaries

[edit]
Change of oblast names and boundaries from 1954 to 2021

Over the last 60 years, both the distribution and names of regions of Kazakhstan have changed considerably. Major changes were several fusions and splits between Guryev and Mangystau, Karaganda and Dzhezkazgan, Almaty and Taldy-Kurgan, East Kazakhstan and Semipalatinsk and Kostanay, Turgay and Tselinograd, respectively. Changes in region names were often in line with the renaming of cities, such as in the case of Alma-Ata/Almaty. After the administrative reform in 1997, the last change happened since then took place in 1999, when parts of North Kazakhstan that originally belonged to Kokshetau region became part of Akmola. The 1990s merges were in order to dilute the Russian population in the resulting region and to avoid having regions where Russians form a majority.[7]

Notes

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Regions of Kazakhstan

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The regions of Kazakhstan, designated as oblasts, form the principal territorial-administrative units of the , comprising 17 such divisions alongside three cities of republican significance—, , and —as of January 2025. These oblasts, which subdivide further into districts, cities, and rural areas, span the country's expansive 2,724,900 square kilometers, encompassing steppes, semi-deserts, mountains, and the coast, thereby facilitating decentralized governance over a exceeding 19 million. In June 2022, President decreed the establishment of three new regions—Abai, Jetisu, and Ulytau—carved from East Kazakhstan, , and oblasts respectively, aiming to enhance administrative efficiency and regional development following the January 2022 unrest. This restructuring reflects ongoing efforts to balance centralized authority with local autonomy in a marked by ethnic Kazakh majorities in most areas but significant Russian and other minorities in the north and east, influencing economic orientations from hydrocarbon extraction in western oblasts like to in eastern ones like East Kazakhstan.

Current Administrative Divisions

Oblasts and Cities of Republican Significance

Kazakhstan is divided into 17 oblasts and three cities of republican significance, forming the highest level of administrative-territorial units equivalent in status and directly subordinate to the . Each unit is led by an appointed by the president, responsible for local executive authority, , and public services within their . These divisions facilitate decentralized while maintaining national unity, with oblasts covering vast rural and industrial areas and the cities serving as major urban centers. In June 2022, administrative reforms restructured the divisions by creating three new oblasts—Abai, Jetisu, and Ulytau—through subdivisions of existing ones: Abai from parts of East Kazakhstan Oblast, Jetisu from Oblast, and Ulytau from Karagandy Oblast. This increased the number of oblasts from 14 to 17, aiming to enhance manageability of large territories and promote regional development without altering the overall federal structure. The reforms took effect on June 8, 2022, and involved reallocating districts and populations accordingly. The cities of republican significance are (the national capital, population approximately 1.6 million as of 2023), (economic and cultural hub, population over 2.3 million), and (southern industrial center, population around 1.3 million). These cities hold special status due to their national importance, large populations exceeding one million, and roles in governance, commerce, and infrastructure, independent of any oblast administration. The 17 oblasts, each with defined administrative centers, encompass the remainder of the country's territory and population:
Oblast
Abai
Akmola
East Kazakhstan
Jetisu
Karagandy
Mangystau
North Kazakhstan
Turkistan
Ulytau
West Kazakhstan
Zhambyl
These oblasts vary significantly in size, with areas ranging from under 100,000 km² to over 400,000 km², and populations from several hundred thousand to over 1.8 million, reflecting Kazakhstan's diverse geography from steppes to deserts and mountains.

Subdivisions into Districts and Cities

Kazakhstan's administrative regions, comprising 17 s and 3 cities of republican significance, are subdivided into districts (Kazakh: audan; Russian: raion) and cities of regional significance, forming the second tier of territorial administration. Districts primarily encompass rural and mixed territories, managed by appointed akims responsible for local , , and , while cities of regional significance are urban entities with analogous administrative functions but focused on and . This structure, established under the Law on Administrative-Territorial Division, enables decentralized decision-making while maintaining central oversight from oblast or city-level akimats. As of January 1, 2025, counts 195 districts and 90 cities across all administrative levels, with districts varying in number by —typically ranging from 5 to 15 per region—to reflect geographic, demographic, and . Cities of republican significance follow a similar subdivision: into urban districts, into specialized boroughs and districts, and into mixed urban-rural districts, each tailored to high-density populations and metropolitan needs. These subdivisions ensure granular control over resources, such as agricultural output in rural districts or industrial in urban ones, contributing to national cohesion amid vast territorial expanse. Districts are further partitioned into lower units, including rural okrugs (selsovet), villages (aul or selo), settlements (posyolok), and cities or towns of district significance, which handle hyper-local affairs like primary education and communal services. This hierarchical layering, with akims at each level reporting upward, supports efficient resource allocation, as evidenced by targeted infrastructure projects in sparsely populated districts versus dense urban expansions. Reforms since 2022, including new oblast formations, have adjusted district boundaries to optimize administrative efficiency, reducing overlaps and enhancing fiscal management without altering the core subdivision framework.

Historical Evolution

Soviet-Era Divisions and Reforms

The Kazakh Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) was established on August 26, 1920, initially as the Kirghiz ASSR within the (RSFSR), comprising northern territories from the former Steppe Krai and to facilitate centralized Soviet control over nomadic populations and resource extraction. Its early administrative divisions retained Tsarist-era guberniyas (provinces) such as Akmolinsk, Semipalatinsk, and Turgai, subdivided into uyezds (counties), but these were reoriented toward Bolshevik priorities like sedentarization and collectivization. In , following the Soviet nationalities policy of territorial delimitation in , the entity was renamed the Kazakh ASSR and expanded southward, annexing Kazakh-majority districts from the dissolving Turkestan ASSR (including Syr-Darya and parts of Semirechye) and adjusting borders with the Kirghiz ASSR, thereby unifying approximately 2.7 million square kilometers of predominantly Kazakh-inhabited lands under one . This reform, driven by ethnic consolidation to counter pan-Turkic sentiments and enable uniform ideological implementation, increased the Kazakh share of the to about 58% by the 1926 census. Administrative restructuring followed in 1928, when the seven guberniyas were abolished in line with all-union decrees to streamline governance; they were replaced by 13 okrugs (districts) such as Aktyubinsk, Petropavlovsk, and Ural'sk, each subdivided into raions (districts) to enhance local party oversight amid forced collectivization campaigns that displaced millions. By 1930, the system was dismantled under further centralization efforts, with raions reporting directly to the ASSR council, though this proved inefficient for managing vast steppes and led to the reintroduction of oblasts (provinces) starting in 1932 to align with industrial targets under the First Five-Year Plan. On December 5, 1936, the Kazakh ASSR was elevated to full union republic status as the (SSR), inheriting 16 oblasts—including Alma-Ata, , and South Kazakhstan—covering the republic's 2.7 million square kilometers and facilitating direct subordination to for in minerals, grains, and . Subsequent reforms reflected economic imperatives and leadership shifts. The 1954 Virgin Lands Campaign under Nikita Khrushchev prioritized northern oblasts like Tselinograd (created in 1961 from parts of existing units) for mechanized wheat farming, prompting minor boundary adjustments to integrate new collective farms but without wholesale division changes. In 1960–1962, as part of Khrushchev's sovnarkhoz (regional economic council) decentralization to boost productivity by reducing bureaucratic layers, several Kazakh oblasts were merged into four krais (territories)—Tselinny, Ust-Urt, Mangyshlak, and others—temporarily cutting the number to fewer than 10 effective units; these were reversed by 1965 under Brezhnev, restoring oblast autonomy to improve administrative responsiveness amid cotton monoculture expansion in the south. By the 1980s, the Kazakh SSR stabilized at 19 oblasts plus the capital Alma-Ata as a separate entity, reflecting incremental tweaks for urbanization and pipeline infrastructure rather than radical overhauls. These divisions emphasized vertical integration with the Communist Party, prioritizing extractive efficiency over local autonomy.

Post-Independence Adjustments

Following its from the on December 16, 1991, Kazakhstan initiated a series of administrative adjustments to its oblasts, beginning with widespread renamings to align with Kazakh-language nomenclature and . On October 9, 1991, Guryev was renamed Atyrau . In 1992, Tselinograd became Akmola on July 6, while Uralsk was redesignated Zapadno-Kazakhstan and Chimkent became Yuzhno-Kazakhstan on the same date; Dzhezkazgan was renamed Zhezkazgan on September 8. These changes continued into 1993, with Alma-Ata renamed Almaty on January 28, Dzhambul to Zhambyl on March 4, Taldy-Kurgan to Taldykorgan on May 4, and Kokchetau to Kokshetau on October 7. A more structural reform occurred on May 23, 1997, when five oblasts were merged into existing ones to reduce the total number from 19 to 14, aiming to streamline governance amid economic transitions and demographic considerations. Semipalatinsk Oblast was incorporated into Vostochno-Kazakhstan Oblast; Kokshetau Oblast was divided between Akmola Oblast and the newly formed Severo-Kazakhstan Oblast; Turgay Oblast merged into ; Zhezkazgan Oblast into Karaganda Oblast; and Taldykorgan Oblast into . On June 17, 1997, Kustanay Oblast was renamed and Kzyl-Orda Oblast became , completing a phase of consolidation that left and the capital (then Akmola, renamed Astana in 1998) as separate entities of republican significance. Further adjustments in the late 2010s included a renaming and partial split in 2018. On June 19, 2018, Yuzhno-Kazakhstan Oblast was redesignated Oblast, with the of detached and elevated to a of republican significance, effectively creating a new urban administrative unit while preserving regional continuity. On March 11, 1999, Aktyubinsk (the oblast center) was renamed , though the oblast retained its name until later adjustments. These post-independence changes reflected efforts to modernize administration, balance ethnic distributions—particularly by merging areas with significant Russian populations—and adapt to the capital's relocation to Akmola/ in 1997, which influenced northern regional dynamics.

2022 Administrative Reforms

In response to the nationwide unrest in January 2022, President outlined a series of political and administrative reforms in his March 16, 2022, address to the people of , emphasizing the need for a "strong state with strong regions" to enhance local governance and reduce administrative burdens. A key component involved restructuring the country's regional divisions by creating three new oblasts to make administrative centers more accessible to remote populations and improve management of larger territories. This initiative increased the total number of oblasts from 14 to 17, while maintaining the three cities of republican significance: , , and . On May 4, 2022, Tokayev signed a presidential establishing (carved from the eastern districts of East Kazakhstan , with as capital), (split from Almaty , retaining as capital), and (detached from the southern districts of , with Zhezkazgan as capital). These changes took effect on June 8, 2022, following approval in a national constitutional referendum on June 5, which garnered over 77% support and included provisions for the new divisions alongside broader constitutional amendments limiting presidential powers. The splits aimed to decentralize authority, with each new comprising 6 to 8 districts initially, fostering targeted development in , , and sectors specific to their geographies. The reforms were positioned as part of the "New Kazakhstan" agenda to streamline and combat by aligning regional boundaries with economic and demographic realities, though critics argued the changes primarily served symbolic centralization under Tokayev's leadership rather than substantive local empowerment. By late , the new regions reported initial investments, including road repairs and social facility upgrades, with Abai focusing on industrial revival in and Ulytau on mining efficiency in Zhezkazgan. No immediate reduction in the overall number of districts occurred at the oblast level, but the restructuring facilitated subsequent optimizations in lower-tier administrative units.

Demographic Profiles

Population Statistics and Density

Kazakhstan's 17 oblasts and three cities of republican significance host a total population of approximately 20 million as of September 1, 2025, with significant disparities in size driven by urbanization, resource distribution, and migration patterns. The cities of republican significance—Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent—collectively account for over 5.2 million residents, representing more than a quarter of the national population and underscoring the concentration of people in administrative and economic hubs. Among the oblasts, Turkistan leads with 2,147,757 inhabitants, benefiting from fertile lands and historical settlement density in the south, while Ulytau has the fewest at 219,745, reflecting its recent formation from sparsely populated mining areas in central Kazakhstan. The following table enumerates the population of each administrative division as of September 1, 2025:
Administrative DivisionPopulation
(city)1,601,490
(city)2,332,397
(city)1,284,129
Turkistan Oblast2,147,757
Almaty Oblast1,583,478
Zhambyl Oblast1,217,729
Oblast1,132,162
Oblast846,068
Oblast822,711
Mangystau Oblast815,058
Pavlodar Oblast747,064
Akmola Oblast788,155
Zhetisu Oblast689,639
Batys Kazakhstan Oblast695,774
Shygys Kazakhstan Oblast720,615
Atyrau Oblast713,933
Abay Oblast598,000
Soltustik Kazakhstan Oblast516,650
Aktobe Oblast954,014
Ulytau Oblast219,745
Population density in Kazakhstan remains among the world's lowest, averaging around 7.3 people per square kilometer as of 2023, owing to the country's vast 2.72 million square kilometers of territory dominated by steppes, deserts, and mountains unsuitable for dense settlement. Regional variations are stark: urban-centric divisions like Astana reach densities of 1,794 people per square kilometer, fueled by administrative functions and infrastructure development, whereas expansive western and central oblasts such as Aktobe (spanning over 300,000 km² with under 1 million residents) yield densities below 4 per km². Southern agricultural zones like Turkistan Oblast exhibit higher figures around 18 per km², supported by arable land and water access, while northern steppe regions average under 5 per km² due to harsher climates and emigration trends. These patterns correlate with urbanization rates, which range from over 80% in industrial Karaganda Oblast to under 20% in rural Almaty Oblast, influencing local resource pressures and development priorities.

Ethnic Composition and Regional Variations

Kazakhstan's population exhibits marked ethnic diversity, with forming the majority at 71.3% nationally as of estimates derived from the 2021 . constitute the second-largest group at 14.6%, followed by (3.3%), (1.8%), (1.5%), (1.1%), and (1.1%), with over 130 ethnic groups represented overall. These proportions reflect historical migrations, including Soviet-era influxes of and to northern industrial areas, post-independence of ethnic (known as oralman), and differential rates, where Kazakh households average higher birth rates than Russian ones. Regional variations stem from geographic and historical factors: northern and eastern oblasts retain higher Slavic and German populations due to 19th-20th century and collectivization, while southern and western regions show greater Turkic homogeneity, influenced by proximity to and traditional Kazakh nomadic patterns. For instance, in North Kazakhstan Oblast, exceed 40% of residents, compared to under 10% in . Germans remain concentrated in Akmola, , and oblasts, comprising over 3% locally, a legacy of Volga German resettlement. cluster in Oblast and city, often exceeding 5% in urban districts, while predominate in southern border areas like (over 15%) and Zhambyl. The following table summarizes approximate ethnic percentages for select oblasts based on 2021 data, highlighting major groups:
Region/ (%) (%)Other Notable Groups (%)
North Kazakhstan45-5035-40 (5-7), (3-5)
50-5525-30 (5+), (3-4)
Akmola65-7020-25 (3+), (2-3)
Almaty City65-7015-20 (5-6), (1-2)
Turkistan75-80<5 (10-15)
Zhambyl70-75<5 (15-20)
These distributions influence local governance, with Kazakh-majority regions prioritizing titular language policies, while multi-ethnic northern areas navigate bilingualism amid ongoing , which has boosted the national Kazakh share by over 20 percentage points since 1989. Urban centers like and show more balanced mixes due to , but rural districts preserve sharper ethnic enclaves.

Governance and Economic Roles

Regional Administration and Akims

Kazakhstan's regional administration operates through akimats, the executive bodies responsible for implementing policies at the local level. The country is divided into 17 oblasts and three cities of republican significance—Astana, , and —each headed by an who holds the position of chief executive. This structure, updated following the 2022 administrative reforms that created new oblasts such as Abai, Jetisu, and Ulytau, totals 20 top-level administrative units equivalent in status to oblasts. Akims of oblasts and cities of republican significance are appointed directly by the , with their nominations requiring approval from the respective regional maslikhat, the local representative body. This appointment process centralizes executive authority, allowing the president to select officials aligned with national priorities, while maslikhat consent provides a mechanism for local input. Akims serve indefinite terms subject to presidential discretion, enabling removal for underperformance or policy misalignment without fixed electoral cycles. The powers of akims encompass directing regional executive activities, including budget execution, public service delivery in areas like education, healthcare, and infrastructure, economic development through investment promotion, and maintenance of law and order in coordination with national agencies. They oversee subordinate district akims and ensure compliance with state programs, reporting progress to the central government. Akimats function alongside maslikhats, which handle legislative matters such as budget approval and local regulations, though executive dominance persists under the presidential system outlined in the Law on Local Government and Self-Government. Post-2022 reforms have introduced direct elections for akims at and city-of-regional-significance levels starting in 2025, aiming to bolster local accountability amid public demands for following the January unrest. However, retention of presidential appointments for regional akims underscores the prioritization of unified governance over full , reflecting Kazakhstan's framework where local executives remain instruments of national policy execution.

Economic Contributions by Region

Kazakhstan's regional economies exhibit stark disparities, driven primarily by endowments, with hydrocarbons accounting for over 20% of national GDP and concentrated in western s, while dominates northern areas and services urban centers. In 2024, the gross regional product (GRP) structure highlighted city's dominant 22.9% share, reflecting its role as a commercial hub, followed by city and at 11% each; Karagandy contributed notably to growth with 0.57 percentage points to national GDP expansion. GRP remains highest in oil-rich western regions like , Mangystau, and West Kazakhstan, where extraction industries fuel wealth but also volatility tied to global commodity prices. Western oblasts—Atyrau, Mangystau, Aktobe, and West Kazakhstan—form the core of Kazakhstan's energy sector, producing the bulk of crude oil and that comprised 32.3% of national industry output in recent years. oblast, home to the Tengiz and Kashagan fields, drives national exports and fiscal revenues, with its GRP growth underscoring oil's outsized role amid production expansions reaching 90 million tons annually by 2024. Mangystau and West Kazakhstan similarly rely on offshore and supergiant fields like Karachaganak, contributing to regional incomes exceeding national averages by factors of 3-5, though this fosters dependency and environmental challenges from extraction. supports with gas processing and mining, bolstering ferroalloys vital for production. Central and eastern oblasts emphasize and , with Karagandy, , and former East Kazakhstan areas (now including Abai and Zhetysu) extracting , metals, and rare earths essential for industrial value chains. Karagandy oblast, a basin hub, produced over 100 million tons annually in recent data, supporting power generation and steelworks while adding 0.68 percentage points to 2024 GDP growth; its diversified output includes copper and . specializes in alumina refining and , with reserves fueling aluminum exports and regional industry employing significant labor. East Kazakhstan regions yield , lead, and via operations like Kazzinc, contributing to non-oil exports that reached $10 billion in 2023, though ore depletion risks loom without reinvestment. Northern oblasts—Akmola, , and North Kazakhstan—anchor agriculture, generating 80% of wheat and 60% of barley from vast steppes, with 2024 harvests exceeding 20 million tons amid favorable weather and . These regions exported grains worth billions, stabilizing but vulnerable to droughts and soil degradation; and Akmola alone sowed over 9 million hectares in spring 2025 campaigns. Southern areas like Zhambyl, Turkistan, and focus on , fruits, and , supporting agro-processing amid irrigation constraints from the legacy. Urban centers , , and drive services, encompassing 56.35% of GDP through , , and ; 's retail and IT sectors propelled 1.61 percentage points of 2024 growth, leveraging its and connectivity. Emerging regions like Ulytau and Jetisu contribute modestly via niche and agro-tourism, but lag in diversification, highlighting national efforts to balance resource reliance with .
Region/GroupKey Sectors2024 GRP Share (approx.)Notes
Services, trade22.9%Commercial hub
Oil/gas11%Tengiz field driver
Finance, admin11%Capital services
Northern Oblasts (Akmola, Kostanay, North Kazakhstan)Grain agriculture<5% each80% national wheat
Karagandy OblastCoal, metals~5-7%Growth contributor

References

  1. https://stat.gov.kz/en/industries/social-statistics/demography/publications/318188/
  2. https://stat.gov.kz/upload/iblock/cde/io7mclsii6ir2hljujzhjbrkrdoyxfxl/%25D0%25A1-06-%25D0%2593%2520%282020-2022%29%2520%25D0%25B0%25D0%25BD%25D0%25B3%25D0%25BB.pdf
  3. https://qazinform.com/news/3-new-regions-officially-added-to-kazakhstan-s-map_a3942044
  4. https://adilet.zan.kz/eng/docs/Z930004200_
  5. https://www.gov.kz/article/19305?lang=en
  6. https://stat.gov.kz/en/industries/social-statistics/demography/publications/433083/
  7. https://cabar.asia/en/administrative-and-territorial-division-of-kazakhstan-in-2022-symbolism-or-reforms
  8. https://stat.gov.kz/en/region/
  9. https://stat.gov.kz/api/iblock/element/318188/file/en/
  10. https://stat.gov.kz/en/industries/social-statistics/demography/publications/207830/
  11. https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/kazakhstan/80741.htm
  12. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-slavic-and-east-european-review/article/nativization-of-government-and-party-structure-in-kazakhstan-19201930/50146E11D8C6723D37CE834612EEDFBF
  13. https://www.worldstatesmen.org/Kazakh_admin.html
  14. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352860546_FORMATION_OF_A_NEW_SYSTEM_OF_ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL_DIVISION_IN_KASSR_IN_THE_1928-1930s_ON_THE_EXAMPLE_OF_THE_NORTHERN_REGION
  15. https://www.statoids.com/ukz.html
  16. https://factsanddetails.com/central-asia/kazakhstan/sub8_4a/entry-4632.html
  17. https://astanatimes.com/2022/05/president-tokayev-introduces-three-new-regions-in-kazakhstan/
  18. https://www.sng-wofi.org/country_profiles/kazakhstan.html
  19. https://qazinform.com/news/strong-regions-strong-country-how-three-new-regions-in-kazakhstan-emerge_a4017987
  20. https://astanatimes.com/2024/07/two-year-progress-development-milestones-of-kazakhstans-new-regions/
  21. https://www.citypopulation.de/en/kazakhstan/
  22. https://astanatimes.com/2024/11/kazakhstans-population-rises-by-1-4-million-over-five-years/
  23. https://ontheworldmap.com/kazakhstan/kazakhstan-regions-map.html
  24. https://stat.gov.kz/en/industries/social-statistics/demography/publications/40410/
  25. https://stat.gov.kz/en/industries/social-statistics/demography/publications/337150/
  26. http://pop-stat.mashke.org/kazakhstan-ethnic2025.htm
  27. https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/WS6BauzhanENG.pdf
  28. https://revistarivar.cl/images/vol12-n34/art04.pdf
  29. https://adilet.zan.kz/eng/docs/Z010000148_
  30. https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/aktobe-temir?lang=en
  31. https://en.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/direct-elections-of-akims-new-era-of-democracy-in-kazakhstan-265822/
  32. https://www.akorda.kz/en/republic_of_kazakhstan/kazakhstan
  33. https://stat.gov.kz/en/industries/economy/national-accounts/publications/433551/
  34. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2020/10/regional-policies-to-support-diversification-and-productivity-growth-in-kazakhstan_2846c23e/9923663a-en.pdf
  35. https://international.groupecreditagricole.com/en/international-support/kazakhstan/economic-overview
  36. https://stat.gov.kz/en/industries/economy/national-accounts/publications/367813/
  37. https://pubs.usgs.gov/myb/vol3/2022/myb3-2022-kazakhstan.pdf
  38. https://www.espublisher.com/uploads/article_pdf/esmm1219.pdf
  39. https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/kazakhstan-agricultural-sector
  40. https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Grain%2520and%2520Feed%2520Update_Astana%2528Nur-Sultan%2529_Kazakhstan%2520-%2520Republic%2520of_KZ2024-0006.pdf
  41. https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/111795/
  42. https://www.statista.com/statistics/436156/share-of-economic-sectors-in-the-gdp-in-kazakhstan/
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