Steepest Drop in Six Years: Russian Companies Exit Kazakhstan

The number of active Russian companies in Kazakhstan has seen its steepest decline in six years, Orda.kz reports.

According to data from the Bureau of National Statistics, as of April 1, 2025, 18.4 thousand Russian-owned legal entities were operating in Kazakhstan, a decrease of 495 compared to the beginning of the year.

It follows a period of rapid growth that spanned nine quarters, peaking after the onset of the Russia–Ukraine war. Between April 2022 and March 2023, an average of 2,300 new Russian companies were being registered in Kazakhstan every quarter.

The current downturn is most evident in sectors that traditionally see high Russian involvement. The number of active Russian companies in trade fell by 238 to 7,500, and the information and communications sector saw a reduction of 70 companies, bringing the total to 2,500.

Earlier, Orda.kz reported that foreign direct investment in Kazakhstan reached a ten-year high of $28 billion in 2022.

Russia ranked fifth among investor countries, contributing $1.52 billion, mainly to mining, industry, and trade.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov