In the first quarter of 2026, the average per capita nominal monetary income of the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan reached 252,619 tenge per month, increasing by 11.8% year-on-year. According to the Ministry of National Economy, the key driver of improved welfare was accelerated wage growth in the non-oil sector amid a general slowdown in inflation. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Income from employment continues to be a fundamental source of welfare, forming about two-thirds of all monetary receipts of the population. The average monthly nominal wage in the first quarter increased by 9.1% (the real wage index was 97.7%).
The statistics show a pronounced structural shift. The highest wage growth rates were recorded outside the raw materials sector. In agriculture, growth was 20.3% in nominal terms and 7.7% in real terms; in financial and insurance activities — 18.1% (real: 5.7%); in manufacturing — 14% (real: 2.1%); in transport and warehousing — 12.9% (real: 1.1%).
The Ministry of National Economy emphasized the importance of this trend.
"High wage growth rates in the non-oil sector of the economy are important because they reflect a gradual expansion of opportunities to increase household incomes through production development, labor productivity growth, and the creation of quality jobs," the statement said.
An additional factor supporting purchasing power was the macroeconomic stabilization of consumer prices: the annual inflation rate fell to 10.3% by June of this year. Overall, this allowed real monetary incomes of citizens to record an increase of 0.1% for the quarter.
To maintain positive dynamics, the Cabinet of Ministers continues to implement a Comprehensive Plan providing for a gradual increase in the minimum wage and support for high value-added industries. In accordance with the Joint Action Program of the Government, the National Bank, and the Agency for Regulation and Development of Financial Market for 2026–2028, the target for annual growth of real incomes is set at two to three percent.
The structural transformation of household incomes is recorded against the backdrop of a long period of tight monetary policy. On July 9, 2026, Kursiv Media published analytical calculations confirming that the slowdown in inflation in Kazakhstan finally allowed to compensate for price increases and bring real incomes into a stable positive zone.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that last year real incomes fell by 6%. This year, in the first quarter, real incomes showed growth. The highest per capita incomes were recorded in Almaty.