KAZAKHSTAN
Analyst
Evgeny Gavrilenkov
Former Investment Bank Chief EconomistEvents
Recent Country Insights
Statistics brings more surprises and looks increasingly volatile
KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 17 Feb 2026
The Bureau of National Statistics confirmed earlier statements from authorities, announcing that GDP grew by 6.5% in 2025. While the Bureau describes this as a flash estimate, it’s almost certain to hold given the agency’s track record of never revising historical data. In nominal terms, GDP reac...
Economic statistics could look even more puzzling this year
KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 13 Feb 2026
The Bureau of National Statistics has begun releasing January data, and the first reports are as puzzling as ever. With m-o-m data missing for many time series and, in some cases, m-o-m and y-o-y figures showing growing discrepancies, it looks like we can expect more statistical mysteries this ye...
Bi-Weekly Economic News Summary
KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 11 Feb 2026
Jan 29 Government: The US Chevron promises to take measures to ensure reliable and safe operation of facilities in the Tengiz oil field. LUKOIL: Russian company has signed an agreement with US Carlyle on the sale of its foreign assets, excluding those which are based in Kazakhstan. Jan 30 Agency ...
Inflation remained elevated in January, the NBK held the base rate steady amid mounting uncertainty
KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 04 Feb 2026
While the initial economic and financial figures for January don’t look too bad, growing uncertainty has led the National Bank to keep the base rate at 18%. The NBK thinks inflation expectations are still high and seems set on holding the base rate steady for about six months. Y-o-y inflation is ...
Bi-Weekly Economic News Summary
KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 29 Jan 2026
Jan 15 Stock market: The trading volume on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) increased by 3% in 2025. Bureau of National Statistics: Investments in fixed assets in Kazakhstan increased by 13% in 2025. Bureau of National Statistics: Agricultural production in Kazakhstan increased by 5.9% in 202...
Kazakhstan macro: ambitious VAT reform to reduce republican budget dependence on transfers, exchange rate
KAZAKHSTAN · Report · 26 Jan 2026
The Kazakh authorities accomplished the fine-tuning of the tax reform with the intent to reduce the dependence of public finances on the USD/KZT exchange rate and oil prices. We mentioned previously that the main emphasis of this reform is not just the VAT hike but also how the tax should be paid...
NBK kept the base rate unchanged
KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 23 Jan 2026
The National Bank of Kazakhstan decided to keep the base rate at 18.0% amid faster-than-expected economic growth and high inflation (12.3% in 2025 as a whole and 0.9% m-o-m in December), staying well above the medium-term target. The NBK’s chairperson quoted 6.5% GDP growth in 2025, i.e., the sam...
Economic growth remained strong in December
KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 16 Jan 2026
The Bureau of National Statistics reported that the short-term indicator—a flash estimate of economic activity across six main sectors—rose by 9.4% in 2025. For 11M25, it was up 9.3%, suggesting a bit of acceleration in the final month. Transportation and warehousing led the way with 20.4% growth...
Bi-Weekly Economic News Summary
KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 14 Jan 2026 · 1 response
Dec 25 Finance Ministry: The Ministry of Finance and the National Bank of Kazakhstan are teaming up to create a joint strategy for managing the country’s national debt. KMG: The company has bought Eurobonds totaling $500 million, including $250 million maturing in 2047 and $249.9 million maturing...