Kazakhstan's urban population is growing year by year. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to the Bureau of National Statistics, as of the beginning of September this year, 64.2% of the country's population lived in cities. This figure is 5.2% higher compared to 2020.
The share of the urban population has grown especially rapidly in recent years. In 2024, this indicator increased by 0.5%, and in 2025 — by 0.6%.
"The region with the highest share of urban population is Karaganda region (82.8%). It is followed by Ulytau — 79.7%, Aktobe — 76.7%, Pavlodar — 71.7% and East Kazakhstan region — 67.9%," the portal wrote.
The regions with the lowest share of urban residents are Almaty region (19.4%) and Turkestan region (25.5%).
Since 2010, the number of urban residents in the country has grown by 44.2% and reached 13.2 million people. Meanwhile, the rural population increased by only 4.6% over this period.
Internal migration is also directed toward large cities. In January-June 2026, 89,900 people arrived in Astana. This includes 9,500 from Turkestan region, 8,300 from Almaty, and 5,800 from Shymkent.
According to experts' forecasts, by 2050, 75.2% of Kazakhstan's population may live in cities. This increases the need to develop housing, transport, utilities and social facilities.