Quick facts
Kazakhstan population overview
Kazakhstan is the 25th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 20,967,387 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.1% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 637 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 387,897 births (18.5 per 1,000 people) and 142,578 deaths (6.8 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 12,580 people. The infant mortality rate is 6.3 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 9,429,981 in 1960 to 20,843,754 in 2025 — a change of +121%, or +1.2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 29.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 74.8 years; women have on average 3 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 29.1% of residents are under 15 and 9% are 65 or older (2025); 62.4% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Astana. Kazakhstan covers 2,724,902 km², giving a population density of about 7.8 people per km². GDP was $306.24B in 2025 — about $14,692 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Kazakhstan population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 21,152,989 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 20,967,387 |
| World rank | #65 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #25 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.3% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.1% |
| Births per year est. | 387,897 |
| Deaths per year est. | 142,578 |
| Net migration per year est. | -12,580 |
| Birth rate | 18.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.8 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 6.3 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 95.1 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 29.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 74.8 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 62.4% |
| Surface area 2023 | 2,724,902 km² |
| Population density | 7.8 per km² |
| Capital | Astana |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $306.24B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $14,692 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Kazakhstan population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 21,152,989 | – | – |
| 2025 | 20,843,754 | +251,183 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | 20,592,571 | +262,467 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 20,330,104 | +295,495 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 20,034,609 | +291,006 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 19,743,603 | +261,486 | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 19,482,117 | +1,397,948 | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 18,084,169 | +1,247,359 | +1.4% |
| 2010 | 16,836,810 | +868,693 | +1.1% |
| 2005 | 15,968,117 | +467,014 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 15,501,103 | -1,229,433 | -1.5% |
| 1995 | 16,730,536 | -423,518 | -0.5% |
| 1990 | 17,154,054 | +1,122,964 | +1.4% |
| 1985 | 16,031,090 | +878,141 | +1.1% |
| 1980 | 15,152,949 | +1,452,106 | +2% |
| 1975 | 13,700,843 | +1,281,786 | +2% |
| 1970 | 12,419,057 | +1,425,874 | +2.5% |
| 1965 | 10,993,183 | +1,563,202 | +3.1% |
| 1960 | 9,429,981 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Kazakhstan
Population over time
- From 9,429,981 in 1960 to 21,152,989 today — up 124.3%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 74.5 years (2024), up 16.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 19.5 births vs 6.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 12.8 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 29.1% of the population is under 15 and 9% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 5.3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 258.8 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 276.1 Mt in 2013 — down 6.3% since.
- Per person: 12.57 t in 2024, vs 14.89 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 3,650.5 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 14.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 2% of final energy in 2021 (+0.6 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 1.3% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1992 (+0.1 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 62.4% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 44.7% in 1960 (+17.7 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1969.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 38.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 3,212 m³ in 2022, down 13.5% since 1992.
Economy
- GDP: $306.24B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 66.1% since 2015.
- That works out to $14,692 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 4.8% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 11.4% in 2025 — persistently high inflation erodes real incomes.
Internet & mobile
- 93.4% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 127.1 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Kazakhstan in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Kazakhstan in 2026?
As of October 2026, Kazakhstan has an estimated population of 21,152,989. The United Nations estimated 20,967,387 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Kazakhstan growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.1% per year — roughly 637 more people every day. Each year there are about 387,897 births and 142,578 deaths, with net migration of -12,580.
What is the population density of Kazakhstan?
About 7.8 people per square kilometre: 21,152,989 people living on 2,724,902 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Kazakhstan?
The median age is 29.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 74.8 years. 29.1% of the population is under 15 and 9% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Kazakhstan rank by population?
Kazakhstan is the 65th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 25th in Asia, with 0.3% of the global population.
How has the population of Kazakhstan changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 9,429,981; by 2025 it had grown to 20,843,754 (+121%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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ZambiaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.