People and Society of Kazakhstan

Nationality

Kazakhstani(s)

Ethnic Groups

Kazakh (Qazaq) 53.4%, Russian 30%, Ukrainian 3.7%, Uzbek 2.5%, German 2.4%, Uygur 1.4%, other 6.6% (1999 census)

Population

19,900,000

Population in Major Urban Areas

Almaty 1.426 million; ASTANA (capital) 664,000

Medical care in Kazakhstan is limited and well below North American and West European standards. The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of English-speaking physicians. Elderly travelers and those with pre-existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities. Most resident U.S. citizens travel to Western Europe for serious medical treatment. Such travel can be extremely expensive if undertaken under emergency conditions. Travelers requiring prescription medications or specific brand-name medicines should bring sufficient supplies of medications and not rely on local availability.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Kazakhstan has shown notable improvement over recent decades, reflecting advances in healthcare infrastructure, public health initiatives, and rising living standards across the country. As of the most recent available data, the overall life expectancy at birth in Kazakhstan stands at approximately 73 years, with women living significantly longer than men. Female life expectancy is estimated at around 77 years, while male life expectancy lags behind at roughly 68 years — a gap that is common across Central Asian and post-Soviet nations but remains a point of focus for health policymakers. It is worth noting that life expectancy figures dipped modestly in the early 2020s due to excess mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic before beginning to recover. This gender disparity is influenced by several factors, including higher rates of cardiovascular disease among men, greater alcohol consumption, occupational hazards, and lower rates of preventive healthcare utilization among the male population. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Kazakhstan overall, accounting for a substantial share of mortality across all age groups. During the Soviet era, life expectancy in the region experienced both growth and setbacks, and the economic turmoil following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991 contributed to a temporary decline in health outcomes. However, Kazakhstan's oil-driven economic growth in the 2000s helped fund significant investments in hospitals, medical training, and health promotion programs. The government has also pursued national health programs aimed at reducing non-communicable diseases, improving maternal and child health, and expanding access to primary care in rural and remote areas. Infant and child mortality rates have declined considerably, contributing positively to overall life expectancy figures. The under-five mortality rate has dropped sharply over the past two decades, and maternal health services have improved markedly, with higher rates of skilled birth attendance and prenatal care compared to earlier decades. Despite these gains, Kazakhstan still faces challenges including environmental health concerns — particularly in regions affected by the legacy of Soviet-era industrial and nuclear activity, such as areas near the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site — as well as persistently high rates of smoking and alcohol use that continue to suppress life expectancy, especially among men. The burden of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and certain cancers, remains significant. Continued investment in preventive medicine, primary care access, and lifestyle health education is considered essential to closing remaining gaps with higher-income nations and sustaining the recovery in life expectancy seen in recent years.

Infant Mortality Rate

Kazakhstan has made remarkable strides in reducing infant mortality over the past three decades, reflecting significant investments in public health infrastructure, maternal care, and child health services following independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. As of the most recent available data, Kazakhstan's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 8 to 9 deaths per 1,000 live births. This represents a dramatic improvement from the early 1990s, when the rate was estimated at around 35 to 40 deaths per 1,000 live births. The decline places Kazakhstan among the better-performing nations in Central Asia and reflects the country's broader economic development and healthcare modernization efforts. Several factors have contributed to this downward trend. The Kazakhstani government has expanded access to skilled birth attendants and improved the quality of neonatal care in hospitals, particularly in urban centers such as Almaty and Astana. Immunization coverage has increased substantially, with high rates of vaccination against diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and polio helping to reduce preventable infant deaths. Despite this progress, disparities remain. Rural and remote regions, particularly in southern and western Kazakhstan, continue to experience higher infant mortality rates than urban areas. Access to quality healthcare, clean water, and sanitation in these regions remains uneven, posing ongoing challenges for public health authorities. Premature birth complications, respiratory infections, and congenital conditions are among the leading causes of infant death in the country. UNICEF and the World Health Organization have partnered with the Kazakhstani government on programs targeting neonatal health, breastfeeding promotion, and the training of healthcare professionals in underserved communities. These efforts align with Kazakhstan's stated goals of meeting international child health benchmarks. Kazakhstan's infant mortality rate, while still above the averages seen in Western Europe and North America, demonstrates a clear trajectory of improvement and reflects the country's commitment to elevating the standard of care for its youngest citizens.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Muslim47.0%
• Russian Orthodox44.0%
• other7.0%
• Protestant2.0%

Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95%

Kazakhstan is in the process of changing the alphabet from Cyrillic to Latin.

• Kazakh
• Russian

Crime Information

Travelers in Kazakhstan should exercise the same precautions concerning personal safety and protection of valuables as they would in any major U.S. city. Using good judgment and avoiding high-risk areas can reduce the crime threat. The most common crimes foreign tourists encounter are purse snatching, pick pocketing, assaults, and robberies. Pick pocketing or robberies occur most frequently in the vicinity of Western hotels, transportation sites, and at open-air markets, including the central open-air market in Almaty (known locally as the "Green Market"). U.S. citizens are advised to exercise caution in the vicinity of hotels, bus or train stations, and when shopping. U.S. Mission Kazakhstan strongly recommends that U.S. citizens do not carry large sums of money on the street. Identification checks by the police are common practice. U.S. visitors must produce either a passport or an Embassy-certified copy thereof upon request. Police are not required to demonstrate probable cause or reasonable suspicion to initiate ID checks. U.S. citizens may obtain a certified copy of their passport and visa from the U.S. Embassy in Astana or U.S. Consulate General in Almaty during American Citizens Services hours. Please check the U.S. Mission Kazakhstan website for the American Citizens Services hours in Almaty and Astana. Be wary of persons representing themselves as police or other local officials. It is not uncommon for U.S. citizens to become victims of harassment and extortion by imposters, genuine law enforcement, and other officials. A genuine police official should always present his own credentials when approaching someone on the street. If the officer cannot produce identification, he is most likely an imposter. Never voluntarily hand over your wallet to a police officer. If pressured, tell the officer that you will report his behavior to the U.S. Embassy in Astana or Consulate General in Almaty and the officer’s supervisors. Authorities are concerned about these incidents and have cooperated in investigating such cases. Try to obtain the officer's name, badge number, and license plate number, and note where the incident happened because this information assists local officials in identifying the perpetrators. Report crimes committed against you by persons presenting themselves as police or other governmental authorities to a police station and the U.S. Embassy in Astana or Consulate General in Almaty. The "lost wallet" scam continues to be common in Kazakhstan. One version of this scam involves the discovery of a lost wallet in your presence. A first person will discover the wallet and offer to divide its contents with you. Then, a second person will appear, claim to be the owner of the wallet, and demand compensation for the missing money. A second version involves a person looking for a lost wallet, asking you if have seen it. The person asks you to reveal the contents of your pockets or bag to prove that you do not have the missing wallet. The wallet seeker will then surreptitiously steal your exposed valuables. When initially approached by the "finder" or "seeker" of the lost wallet, simply walk away. U.S. Mission Kazakhstan highly discourages taking unlicensed cabs in lieu of licensed taxicabs while in Kazakhstan. This applies especially to travel from the airport and train station to the city upon arrival, where men posing as "meet and greet" airport facilitators have lured foreigners into cars purportedly to take them to their hotels. However, the driver then takes the passengers to a secluded destination and demands approximately $100 for gas to take the foreigner back to the city. At the airport, U.S. citizens should not leave with anyone who does not show pre-arranged identification, even if the person is holding a sign with the traveler's name. U.S. Mission Kazakhstan has received reports from U.S. citizen residents and visitors of being victims of violent, late-night muggings. U.S. citizens are advised to travel in groups or pairs. Lone individuals often make easy targets for muggers. At night, try to remain in well-lit, populated areas. Visitors are encouraged to leave restaurants or bars if fights break out. Corruption by public officials, including law enforcement, has been reported frequently, especially at the airport in Almaty. Some foreigners have been told by customs or border guard officials that they must pay a $50-$500 fine for violating an undisclosed local regulation, despite the fact that the foreign citizen has fully complied with local laws. Some U.S. citizens have reportedly been asked to pay a large fine upon exiting Kazakhstan. When encountering such irregularities, U.S. citizens are advised to seek clarification from supervisory airport officials or contact the U.S. Embassy in Astana or Consulate General in Almaty before paying. Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don't have your passport with you. In some places it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in your host country, your U.S. passport won't help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It's very important to know what's legal and what's not where you are going. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Kazakhstan are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States government is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.