Young Entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan: Women Take the Lead
Women Lead the Charge in Young Entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Recent data from the Institute of Public Policy reveals that women are at the forefront of youth entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan, making up 55.4% of all entrepreneurs under 35, according to the Bureau of National Statistics.
In urban settings, women represent an even higher percentage of young entrepreneurs at 55.5%, compared to 44.5% for men. Rural areas show a similar trend, with women comprising 54.5% of young entrepreneurs. This statistic highlights the growing role of women in driving economic development across both urban and rural landscapes.
The entrepreneurial spirit among youth in Kazakhstan has been gaining momentum, with the number of active individual entrepreneurs increasing by an impressive 60.4% since 2020. Young individuals account for a significant 40% of all entrepreneurs under the age of 35, demonstrating a robust engagement in entrepreneurial activities among the youth.
From the first quarter of 2020 to the same period in 2025, the number of young individual entrepreneurs soared by 2.4 times, growing from 293,590 to 698,920. A remarkable surge took place in 2022, when youth entrepreneurship saw a staggering 68% increase.
While three-quarters of young individual entrepreneurs are based in cities, signaling a trend toward urbanization, only 4.7% are involved in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries—a stark contrast to the 14.2% observed across all age groups.
The leading sectors for young entrepreneurs include trade and the repair of motor vehicles, providing various services, and transportation and warehousing. These areas reflect the dynamic and evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan, showing a shift towards service-oriented and trade-based activities.
The inspiring numbers underscore not only the entrepreneurial potential among young women in Kazakhstan but also the broader economic implications for the nation as it fosters a young, vibrant, and diverse business community.
