Astana Leads Kazakhstan in Regional Economic Growth

Astana recorded the highest regional economic growth in Kazakhstan in 2025, with gross regional product rising 11.6%, according to data from the Bureau of National Statistics. Shymkent, with 11%, and the Turkestan region, with 9.3%, also made the top three, Orda.kz reports.

The weakest growth was recorded in the East Kazakhstan region, where the rate was 0.9% year on year. Slightly better results were seen in the Abay region at 1.2% and the West Kazakhstan region at 1.3%. In eight regions, growth was higher than the national average of 6.5%, while in 12 it was lower.

The Bureau of National Statistics calculates regional growth using the physical volume index, which reflects changes in output adjusted for inflation.

In terms of gross regional product per capita, the Atyrau region remains in first place, largely because it is home to the Kashagan and Tengiz oil fields. In nominal GRP, however, it ranked third behind Almaty and Astana.

According to the results of 2025, Kazakhstan’s GDP totaled 159.6 trillion tenge. Compared with 2024, economic growth accelerated to 6.5% in real terms from 5%. In the first quarter of this year, GDP grew 3% year on year, compared with January-March 2025, which is weaker than last year’s 5.6%.

Halyk Finance analysts say the slowdown was driven by weaker performance in the extractive sector, against the high base created last year by new Tengiz production capacity, as well as falling real household incomes and a reduction in fiscal stimulus. According to Halyk Finance forecasts, GDP will grow by 4.8% in 2026.

Original author: Alexey Afonsky

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