Kazakhstan: More Than Half Oppose Single Time Zone

A Demoscope poll indicates that 53.1% of Kazakhstanis do not support the transition to a single time, Orda reports. 

As of March 1, 2024, Kazakhstan has switched to a single time.

However, discussions about this decision continue. 1,100 people from 17 regions of Kazakhstan participated in a Demoscope poll.

Most (53.1%) do not support the country's transition to a single time zone. However, 22.1% expressed approval, 15.5% were indifferent, and 7.4% had not heard anything about it.

At the same time, the participants were also polled on notable events for this year.

Most named the floods (10.8%), the nuclear power plant referendum (10.4%), and Sherzat Polat's death (7.8%).

The list also included the earthquake, Kuandyk Bishimbayev's sentence, amendments to the law on domestic violence, and the devaluation of the tenge.

Other concerns are low incomes, rising prices, and corruption.

Despite the deterioration in the assessment of the economic situation (from 33.4% in 2023 to 46.5% in 2024), 58% of citizens believe that 2025 will be better.

The survey was conducted by telephone among mobile phone users. The sampling error does not exceed three percent.

It is noted that the survey results show a relatively high level of social dissatisfaction, which could lead to social instability.

Original Author: Zarina Fayzulina