Introduction
Background
Ethnic Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic nomadic tribes, migrated to the region in the 15th century. Russia conquered the area in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1925. The country gained independence in 1991.
Geography
Area
total : 2,724,900 sq km
land: 2,699,700 sq km
water: 25,200 sq km
Climate
continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid
Natural resources
major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium
People and Society
Population
total: 20,260,006
Ethnic groups
Kazakh 71%, Russian 14.9%, Uzbek 3.3%, Ukrainian 1.9%, Uyghurs 1.5%, German 1.1%, Tatar 1.1%, other 4.9%, unspecified 0.3% (2023 est.)
Languages
Kazakh (official, Qazaq) 80.1%, Russian 83.7%, English 35.1% (2021 est.)
Religions
Muslim 69.3%, Christian 17.2% (Orthodox 17%, other 0.2%), Buddhism 0.1%, other 0.1%, non-believers 2.3%, unspecified 11% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
0.86% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Astana
Executive branch
chief of state: President Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV (since 20 March 2019)
head of government: Prime Minister Olzhas BEKTENOV (since 6 February 2024)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (50 seats) and the Mazhilis (98 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Yerzhan ASHIKBAYEV (since 7 July 2021)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel N. ROSENBLUM (since 14 November 2022)
Economy
Economic overview
oil and gas giant, with growing international investment; domestic economy hit hard by COVID-19 disruptions; reforming civil society and improving business confidence; legacy state controls and Russian influence inhibit growth and autonomy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$705.52 billion (2023 est.)
$671.285 billion (2022 est.)
$650.47 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$35,500 (2023 est.)
$34,200 (2022 est.)
$33,900 (2021 est.)
Exports
$90.167 billion (2023 est.)
$93.598 billion (2022 est.)
$71.726 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
China 14%, Italy 13%, Russia 9%, UK 8%, Netherlands 6% (2022)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, gold, refined copper, iron alloys, radioactive chemicals (2022)
Imports
$71.811 billion (2023 est.)
$60.151 billion (2022 est.)
$49.597 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
Russia 29%, China 28%, Germany 5%, South Korea 4%, Turkey 3% (2022)
Imports - commodities
garments, cars, broadcasting equipment, plastic products, packaged medicine (2022)
Page last updated: Wednesday, August 07, 2024
