Kazakhstan Economy Expands 4.9% in First 8 Months 2026

The economy of Kazakhstan expanded 4.9% year-on-year in the January-August 2026 period, the same as in the first seven months of the year. Growth moderated in industry (2.8% vs 3% in January-July), manufacturing (8.4% vs 9%) and transportation and storage (7.3% vs 7.4%) while output in mining and quarrying contracted further (-4.3% vs -4.4%). Meanwhile, production increased faster pace in agriculture (5.2% vs 5%), construction (15.6% vs 15.3%) and trade (6% vs 5.9%).

Kazakhstan’s economy expanded by 4.9% year-on-year in January-July 2026, following a 5.1% growth in the first half of the year. Growth moderated in industry (3% vs 3.5% in January-June) and manufacturing (9% vs 9.8%), while output in mining and quarrying contracted further (-4.4% vs -4%). Meanwhile, production increased at a slightly faster pace in agriculture (5% vs 4.4%), construction (15.3% vs 15.2%), transportation and storage (7.4% vs 7.1%), and trade (5.9% vs 5.7%). Most regions recorded positive growth rates in the Short-Term Economic Indicator, with the strongest gains in Turkistan (24.1%), Ulytau (15.9%), Almaty (15%), and Shymkent (15%). Declines were recorded in West Kazakhstan (-6.5%), Atyrau (-5.9%), East Kazakhstan (-0.1%), and Akmola (-0.5%) regions.

Kazakhstan’s economy expanded by 5.1% year-on-year in January–June 2026, accelerating from 4.3% growth in the January–May period. It marked the strongest expansion since January–December 2025, supported by robust growth in manufacturing (9.8%), construction (15.2%), transportation and storage (7.1%), and trade (5.7%). In contrast, industry (3.5%), communication (4.3%), and agriculture (4.4%) recorded the slowest growth rates. Capital investment climbed to 9.5 trillion tenge, with private investment inflows rising 21.4%. Regionally, economic activity expanded most strongly in Turkistan (26.3%), Ulytau (17%), and Almaty (14.8%). Meanwhile, output contracted in Batys Kazakhstan (-6.4%), Atyrau (-5.3%), Akmola (-0.5%), and Shygys Kazakhstan (-0.2%). Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov recently directed the government to secure sustainable economic growth above 5% in 2026, following a robust 6.5% expansion in 2025.