Kazakhstan: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan's unemployment rate was 4.5% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Bureau of National Statistics' employment and unemployment page. There were 444.6 thousand unemployed people in a labour force of 9,844.5 thousand, and 9,399.9 thousand people in work. The youth unemployment rate, for ages 15 to 34, was 2.9%.

The figures come from the quarterly labour force survey and follow the international definition: people without work who are looking for it and available to start. Many self-employed workers, especially in rural areas, count as employed. 4,763.7 thousand people of working age were outside the labour force.

Official sources: employment and unemployment page

What is the average salary in Kazakhstan?

The average monthly nominal wage in Kazakhstan was 486,388 tenge in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Bureau of National Statistics' wages page. Nominal wages were 8.4% higher than a year earlier, but real wages, adjusted for inflation, were 1.8% lower. The Bureau's estimate of the median wage was 348,415 tenge.

The median is the middle wage, so half of employees earn less. It is well below the average because high salaries in mining, finance and the largest cities pull the average up. Figures are before deductions such as pension contributions and income tax.

Official sources: wages page

What is the minimum wage in Kazakhstan in 2026?

The minimum monthly wage in Kazakhstan is 85,000 tenge in 2026, according to a Government review published on 17 July 2026. The same review put the unemployment rate at 4.6% with 9.7 million people in work.

The minimum wage is set each year in the law on the republican budget and applies to full-time work. It is also used to calculate some benefits, fines and contributions. It is different from the monthly calculation index (MRP), another figure set in the budget law that is used for many payments and tax thresholds.

Official sources: Government review published on 17 July 2026

How much is the average pension in Kazakhstan?

The average total pension in Kazakhstan is about 198 thousand tenge in 2026, according to a Government review published on 17 July 2026. From 1 January 2026 the Government indexed solidarity pensions and other pension payments by 10%, raising the minimum total pension to 105 thousand tenge and the maximum to 238 thousand tenge, for about 2.6 million pensioners.

The total pension combines the state basic pension, the solidarity pension from the old system and payments from savings. The review says savings in the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund reached 25.7 trillion tenge. The Bureau of National Statistics' health and welfare page counts 2,415.1 thousand pension recipients in 2025.

Official sources: Government review published on 17 July 2026 · health and welfare page

What is the average income per person in Kazakhstan?

Average nominal money income per person in Kazakhstan was 263,691 tenge a month in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Bureau of National Statistics' standard of living page. That was 11.2% more than a year earlier in nominal terms, and 0.7% more after adjusting for inflation.

The figure divides all household money income by every household member, including children and pensioners, so it is lower than average wages. The Bureau reports that 74.2% of income came from paid employment, 10.3% from self-employment and 10.3% from social transfers such as pensions and benefits.

Official sources: standard of living page · Bureau

What is the minimum wage in Kazakhstan?

85,000 KZT a month (about $181): that is the statutory minimum wage in Kazakhstan for 2024, according to the ILO. No year since 2012 has been higher.

What is the average monthly salary in Kazakhstan?

In 2022, average monthly earnings of employees in Kazakhstan was $673 a month, according to the ILO. Since 2012 it has ranged from $418 a month (2016) to $717 a month (2013). It is 34th highest of 43 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $1,771 a month. Of 98 countries with 2022 data, 46th highest.

How high is unemployment in Kazakhstan?

4.8%: that is the unemployment rate in Kazakhstan for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 5.5%; Kazakhstan is 30th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 96th highest.

What is youth unemployment in Kazakhstan?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 3.8%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.8% (2015) to 12.7% (2005). Europe & Central Asia median: 14.2%; Kazakhstan is 47th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 158th highest.

How many people in Kazakhstan are working or looking for work?

67.8%: that is the labour force participation rate in Kazakhstan for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 60.3%; Kazakhstan is 3rd highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 38th of 174.

What share of women in Kazakhstan are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 62.6%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 54.6%; Kazakhstan is 4th highest of 47. Worldwide: 30th of 174.

How many people in Kazakhstan are employed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 64.5%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 63.8% (2005) to 67.2% (2024). It is 4th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 56.6%. Worldwide: 39th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Kazakhstan?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Kazakhstan was 24.8%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.0%, and Kazakhstan placed 10th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 101st of 174.

What share of workers in Kazakhstan earn a wage or salary?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Kazakhstan at 73.9% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 85.5%, and Kazakhstan placed 35th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 66th of 174.