As of January 2026, the highest population growth rates were demonstrated by the capital city of Astana with an increase of 0.61%, Shymkent with 0.33%, Almaty region with 0.27%, Almaty with 0.14%, and Mangystau region with 0.13%.
In most regions, there is a natural increase, where the number of births exceeds the number of deaths, with the exception of three regions. In East and North Kazakhstan, a natural decrease was noted, while in Pavlodar region this indicator remained at zero level.
Emigration has negatively impacted the population in half of the regions of the country: Abai, East Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Zhetysu, Kostanay, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan, Turkestan regions, and Ulytau faced a decrease in the number of residents.
A positive migration balance was recorded only in three major cities, as well as in Akmolinsk and Almaty regions. In all other regions, the number of people leaving exceeds the number of newly arrived migrants.
In January 2026, the urban population of Kazakhstan increased by 0.16%, reaching 13,096 thousand people, while the rural population decreased by 0.04%, amounting to 7,413 thousand people. Thus, the share of urban residents is 63.5%, and rural residents — 36.5%.
