Zhakupova Backs Away From 2026 Minimum Wage Increase

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Svetlana Zhakupova, explained why the minimum wage will not be raised, Orda.kz reports.

Earlier, she said the minimum wage would increase starting January 1, 2026. Now, she is uncertain whether this will happen even in 2027.

I can’t say. You know yourself that this is a macroeconomic indicator. The Ministry is currently working to correctly calculate what the minimum wage should be and present it to the working groups so that a decision can be made. We never claimed that (about 2026 – Ed.). Moreover, this indicator has already been recorded in the law on the republican budget, Zhakupova told reporters on the sidelines of a joint parliamentary session.

She is not the only official who previously promised a wage increase — Finance Minister Madi Takiyev also made similar statements.

Zhakupova added that the Ministry of Labor has developed a methodology for calculating the minimum wage.

According to her, the calculation should be based on labor productivity, median wages, and inflation indicators.

The study first provides for data collection; regression indicators are needed to build the correct series and calculate properly. This work is currently being carried out by three institutes. It has not yet been completed and, accordingly, no decision has been made. But Mr. Zhumangarin (Deputy Prime Minister –Ed.) has already told you that 85 thousand tenge has been specified in the republican budget for 2026.

She emphasized that the minimum wage does not represent average earnings. It is the baseline payment for low-skilled workers without education, competencies, or professional skills.

And in order to receive a good salary, in order to secure the maximum pension for yourself in the future, you need to study and work — study and work all your life, she said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin took a more categorical position, stating that there are currently no plans to increase the minimum wage.

Original Author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova