Almost 70% of Kazakhstanis trust Toqayev, Expectations for Large-scale Changes, Income and Ecology - Survey Conducted in Kazakhstan

Qasym-Jomart Toqayev is trusted by 69.4% of Kazakhstanis. Meanwhile, two-thirds of citizens expect decisive and large-scale changes in the country, Orda reports, citing a survey by the Bureau of Express Monitoring of Public Opinion DEMOSCOPE.

The survey on the assessment of the situation in Kazakhstan at the end of 2023 was conducted from December 11 to December 16. 1,100 people from 17 regions and cities of national importance have taken part in it.

Respondents were asked a wide range of questions over the phone to understand what concerns them, as well as how satisfied they are with the quality of life and changes in various areas.

Deputies Trusted Less

Society indeed has a high level of expectations for large-scale and decisive changes. 65.7% of the respondents expressed this opinion.

This query dominates in all socio-demographic groups, but to a greater extent among representatives of the Kazakh nationality — 70%, DEMOSCOPE notes.

24% of the surveyed Kazakhstanis expect minor changes, 7% said that they do not need it and want everything in the country to remain as it is.

As for trust in state institutions, the results are as follows:

Trust in state institutions is more pronounced among young people aged 18 to 29. In this age group, 79% trust the president. In second place are religious figures with a confidence level of 66%.

69.4% of respondents expressed trust in Toqayev, whereas 20.1% held the opposite opinion (more likely not to trust)

48.8% of respondents trust the government as a whole, while 39.5% expressed distrust.

Conversely, Deputies enjoy a relatively low level of trust among Kazakhstanis: 47.7% of respondents are more likely not to trust them and only 35.6% trust them.

Regarding courts, the numbers are as follows: 38.2% trust them and 37.2% are more likely not to.

Income, Corruption and Ecology

Half of the surveyed Kazakhstanis are concerned about material problems — rising prices for essential goods (52.2%) and low incomes (50.6%).

The top causes of concern, which is quite expected, include:

• Unavailability or unsatisfactory housing conditions - 33.4 %
• The low level of pensions, allowances, and scholarships - 31.3%

Citizens are also concerned about corruption (29.6%), lack of jobs along with difficulties with employment (27.2%) and environmental pollution (23.2%).

Moreover, Kazakhstanis worry more about environmental problems than about the health and education system — 23.1% and 18.7%, respectively.

Almost 40% of Kazakhstanis in 2023 noted a deterioration in their standard of living. A third of respondents have it at the same level, and 19.4% of the population believe that their quality of life has improved, DEMOSCOPE notes.

During the survey, respondents were also asked to assess the current situation in the country. Half of Kazakhstanis consider it unfavorable, of which 29.3% see it as unstable, 20.9% - critical. According to 45%, the situation is currently satisfactory.

According to experts, the results of the survey demonstrate the population's increased expectations in solving political and socio-economic issues along with rising living standards in 2024.

At the same time, the existing business-as-usual approach in public administration, contrary to the expected reformist one, but supplemented by periodic populist measures, can provide the authorities with a certain period of loyalty,  DEMOSCOPE writes.

The survey has been carried out by the MediaNet International Journalism Center with the support of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Original Author: Evgenia Dikikh

DISCLAIMER: This is a translated piece. The text has been modified, the content is the same. Please refer to the original article in Russian for accuracy.