Regions of Kazakhstan: population and official figures
Kazakhstan is divided into 20 regions. The largest by population is Almaty City with 2,348,103 people (11.5% of the total); the smallest is Ulytau Region with 219,049. Figures come from three publications of the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan (stat.gov.kz): the Regions of Kazakhstan 2024 yearbook, the Demographic Yearbook of Kazakhstan 2021-2025 and Education in the Republic of Kazakhstan 2019-2023. Kazakhstan has 17 regions and 3 cities of republican significance (Astana, Almaty and Shymkent); Abai, Jetisu and Ulytau were created in 2022 and the old South Kazakhstan region is now Turkistan Region. Amounts are in Kazakhstani tenge at current prices. Budget figures show investment funded from the republican and local budgets, as reported in the yearbook.
Who governs Kazakhstan's regions?
Regions (oblys, 17) and cities of republican significance (Astana, Almaty, Shymkent): Akim appointed by the President, who must propose at least two candidates for a vote of consent by the maslikhat deputies (2026 Constitution); maslikhat directly elected for five years. Regional budgets, development programmes, health, education and infrastructure.
How local power works in Kazakhstan · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 20 regions, largest first
| # | Region | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almaty City | 2,348,103 | 2025 | +2.5% |
| 2 | Turkistan Region | 2,149,205 | 2025 | -0.2% |
| 3 | Astana | 1,639,176 | 2025 | +7.2% |
| 4 | Almaty Region | 1,596,532 | 2025 | +2.3% |
| 5 | Shymkent | 1,294,050 | 2025 | +3.0% |
| 6 | Zhambyl Region | 1,215,656 | 2025 | -0.6% |
| 7 | Karaganda Region | 1,131,353 | 2025 | -0.2% |
| 8 | Aktobe Region | 955,970 | 2025 | +0.7% |
| 9 | Kyzylorda Region | 846,312 | 2025 | +0.0% |
| 10 | Kostanay Region | 821,473 | 2025 | -0.5% |
| 11 | Mangystau Region | 819,824 | 2025 | +1.8% |
| 12 | Akmola Region | 789,608 | 2025 | +0.3% |
| 13 | Pavlodar Region | 745,243 | 2025 | -0.8% |
| 14 | East Kazakhstan Region | 718,995 | 2025 | -0.7% |
| 15 | Atyrau Region | 716,071 | 2025 | +0.7% |
| 16 | West Kazakhstan Region | 695,649 | 2025 | -0.1% |
| 17 | Jetisu Region | 687,701 | 2025 | -0.9% |
| 18 | Abai Region | 595,720 | 2025 | -1.2% |
| 19 | North Kazakhstan Region | 514,132 | 2025 | -1.5% |
| 20 | Ulytau Region | 219,049 | 2025 | -1.0% |
Cities: the largest cities of Kazakhstan.
More on Kazakhstan: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of Kazakhstan: The regions of Kazakhstan in 2024: Statistical Yearbook (English edition, 414 pages), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3456cb173460…)
- Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of Kazakhstan: Demographic Yearbook of Kazakhstan 2021-2025 (English edition), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c2ca14ffe74f…)
- Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of Kazakhstan: Education in the Republic of Kazakhstan 2019-2023: statistical compilation (English edition), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5341ced12209…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.