Kazakhstanis Are Leaving The Regions For Megacities

Turkestan Region has begun losing population for the first time, despite having one of the highest birth rates in the country. In the first four months of 2026, the region lost 2,388 residents, Orda.kz reports.

For a country that recently surpassed the 20 million population mark, overall growth remains modest. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, Kazakhstan’s population increased by only 0.3% in the first four months of the year.

The problem is not the birth rate. Natural growth in the region remains one of the highest in Kazakhstan at almost 10,800 people. However, Turkestan Region lost more than 13,000 residents due to migration.

A similar situation is seen in other regions. The population is also declining in East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Kostanay, North Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Zhetysu, and Ulytau regions.

Meanwhile, megacities are growing. Astana is the clear leader. In four months, the capital added almost 30,000 people and approached 1.67 million residents. Migration brought in three times more new residents than natural growth, with the migration increase reaching 23,000 people.

Almaty grew by 14,300 people to 2.36 million residents, while Shymkent added 11,600 people and now has more than 1.3 million residents. Among the regions, Almaty Region saw the largest increase, adding 13,200 residents.

In total, Kazakhstan’s population grew by 63,000 people in four months, or just 0.3%. For a country that recently crossed the 20 million mark, the increase remains modest.

Original author: Saule Abdykamit

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