Decrease in Departure Rates Observed Among Population
In a recent development, the National Bureau of Statistics has published data on population migration within Kazakhstan, shedding light on shifting trends in the Central Asian nation.
The long-term decline in people leaving Kazakhstan for permanent residence abroad continues, with only 1.7 thousand individuals departing in the first four months of 2025. This figure represents a 2.8-fold decrease compared to the same period last year, and is part of a larger downward trend that has seen emigration fall from 155.7 thousand in 2000 to 12.7 thousand in 2024.
This decrease in emigration is counterbalanced by an increase in internal migration, with 20,830 internal migrants recorded in Turkestan province in 2024. This movement within the country is likely driven by economic, social, or opportunity-seeking factors.
The government's efforts to boost the internal job market are also contributing to this trend. With a projected need for up to 3 million skilled workers over the next few years, the government is actively increasing skilled workforce programs and improving employment conditions.
On the regulatory front, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is considering introducing administrative responsibility for violating the registration order of foreigners in the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO). This move reflects a stricter legal regime aimed at controlling migration compliance, with significant financial penalties, deportations, and re-entry bans for offenders.
Since early 2025, Kazakhstan has increased enforcement against migration violations, resulting in nearly 10,000 foreign nationals being deported with a five-year ban on re-entry. Over 200,000 individuals faced administrative penalties for various violations, including 46,000 fined for residency rule violations. Employers hiring foreign workers illegally have been fined, and seven criminal cases have been initiated for repeat offenses.
These factors together illustrate why fewer people are leaving Kazakhstan and more are moving internally, alongside tightened regulatory enforcement to control migration law violations.
In summary, Kazakhstan is experiencing a decrease in emigration and an increase in internal migration, driven by improving domestic conditions, government workforce initiatives, and stricter migration laws. The positive migration balance, formed in four regions - Nur-Sultan, Almaty, Shymkent, and Almaty region - further underscores this trend. Despite the lack of new data on the number of people arriving or leaving Kazakhstan from CIS countries, it is clear that most migration activity with Kazakhstan involves these countries. The difference between the number of people entering and leaving Kazakhstan stands at 7,749, with 11,267 people arriving in Kazakhstan and 3,518 people leaving the country. However, the total number of people entering or leaving Kazakhstan remains undisclosed. The number of foreigners in Kazakhstan is also unspecified in the recent data.
1) The National Bureau of Statistics' report on Kazakhstan's population migration trends has highlighted a significant decrease in emigration, with a focus on economy, workforce, and regulation, setting the stage for further discussion on technology's role in education-and-self-development and general news in relation to the nation's shifting demographics.
2) Meanwhile, the increasing internal migration within Kazakhstan, as seen in provinces like Turkestan, demonstrates an opportunity for innovative sports programs and initiatives aimed at fostering unity and creating stable communities, enhancing the overall quality of life for its citizens.
