Income Disparities in Kazakhstan: Exploring Seasonal and Regional Variations
Poverty Rate in Kazakhstan Declines to 4.8% in Fourth Quarter of 2024
According to a recent report by the Halyk Finance analytical center, the poverty rate in Kazakhstan dropped to 4.8% in the fourth quarter of 2024, down from 5.1% in the previous quarter. This decrease is attributed to seasonal trends influenced by social payments and economic activity.
Despite the overall decline in poverty, there are significant disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as across different regions in Kazakhstan. Multichild families (8.92%) and rural residents (6.8%) are the most affected by poverty, with the highest rates recorded in the Turkistan (8.4%) and Mangystau (7.9%) regions. On the other hand, Astana (2.1%) and Almaty (3.5%) have the lowest poverty levels in the country.
Income inequality is also a major issue highlighted in the report, with the wealthiest 10% of the population earning 25% of total income. In urban areas, this gap is even wider, with the richest 10% earning 6.8 times more than the poorest 10%, compared to a 4.9-fold difference in rural areas.
The report attributes the seasonal reduction in poverty to agricultural cycles, increased temporary employment, and year-end social payments. However, structural challenges still remain, particularly for large families and low-income rural populations in Kazakhstan. Efforts to address these disparities and uplift those in need will be crucial in further reducing the poverty rate in the country.
