/ Republic of Kazakhstan
Overview
Kazakhstan is a country located in Central Asia, with a small portion extending into Eastern Europe. It is the world's largest landlocked nation, bordered by Russia to the north and west, China to the east, and Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan to the south, with a coastline along the Caspian Sea to the southwest. Kazakhstan covers an area of approximately 2,724,900 square kilometers and has an estimated population of 20.5 million as of early 2026. The country is a presidential republic administratively divided into 17 regions and three cities of republican significance: Astana (the capital), Almaty, and Shymkent.
In 2025, the GDP reached approximately US$310 billion, and per capita GDP was US$14,770, the highest in Central Asia. Kazakhstan's economy is increasingly service-oriented, with the service sector accounting for c.58% of its GDP, driven by trade, transport, and financial services. Private consumption, government infrastructure initiatives, and the extraction of natural resources are the primary drivers of economic growth. The country’s economy is deeply integrated into global energy and mineral supply chains, acting as a major hub for the "Middle Corridor" trade route between China and Europe. Its largest trading partners are China, Russia, Italy, and the Netherlands. Kazakhstan is a global leader in the production of uranium and ferroalloys, and is a significant exporter of crude oil, which accounts for over 50% of its total exports, alongside copper and wheat. The renewable energy sector, rare earth mineral mining, and the digital economy (including fintech and data centers) are expected to be major future growth drivers. Additionally, the tourism sector has seen significant expansion, contributing c.4.0% to the GDP in 2025 with over 10 million arrivals. The country's industrial sector (including mining, manufacturing, and construction) represents approximately 31% of its GDP and employs about 20.4% of the workforce, while the agricultural sector accounts for c.4% of GDP and employs 10.3% of the labor force. Imports of passenger cars, medicinal products, and telecommunications equipment are among the highest in the country, with its top import partners being Russia, China, Germany, and the United States.
Kazakhstan has a rich history as a crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, inhabited by various nomadic tribes and empires for millennia. After nearly 70 years as a republic within the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan declared independence on December 16, 1991. Since then, it has leveraged its vast natural resources to achieve significant economic development and has positioned itself as a leading diplomatic mediator in regional and international affairs.
