Kazakhstan: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Kazakhstan — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
18,276,499
#63 of 197 countries
Area
2,724,900 km²
#10 of 248 countries
Density
6.7 / km²
#228 of 245 countries

Kazakhstan has a population of 18,276,499 spread across 2,724,900 km², giving it an average density of 6.7 people per km². With such low density, expect wide open spaces and a sense of remoteness outside major cities.

Demographics

Median Age
32.1
Life Expectancy
73.3 yrs
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Kazakhstan is classified as an upper middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 33% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Upper middle income
GDP per Capita
$12,879
Cost of Living
33% of US
Inflation
14.7%
Inequality
29.2
Low
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$35,900
Unemployment
4.8%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 1.2% of Kazakhstan's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$589,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
1.2%
Outbound Tourists
2,865,000
Air Passengers
11,884,241
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Kazakhstan has 3.75 physicians per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
3.75/1k
Hospital Beds
6.54/1k
Health Spend
$490/person
Infant Mortality
7.6/1k
Immunization
93%
Safe Drinking Water
97.8%
Basic Sanitation
97.9%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Kazakhstan, 93% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 127 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
92.9%
Mobile Subs
127/100
Broadband
14.4/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data