Official salary statistics in Kazakhstan have shown that state-owned enterprises are losing the battle for talent outright. Moreover, they are losing not only to foreign corporations with their foreign-currency budgets but also to ordinary Kazakhstani businesses. With the exception of a narrow layer of national companies in heavy industry, working for the state remains perhaps the least financially advantageous choice. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The starkest contrast is in film and TV
The starkest contrast was found where it was least expected — in film, TV, and sound recording production. At state studios, employees aged 45-54 earn a modest 101,000 tenge per month. At the same time, their peers in private production companies receive an average of 6.5 million tenge.
Another anomaly in aviation
Another anomaly is observed in aviation. In foreign airlines, young people aged 16-24 start immediately at 896,000 tenge, and by age 35 they are already earning 2.3 million tenge per month. At state aviation enterprises, entry-level specialists make do with 164,000.
Surprises in science
Science also brings its surprises. While domestic research institutes pay scientists nearing retirement around 430,000-470,000 tenge, foreign research centers are willing to pay 1.9 to 2.4 million tenge per month for experienced specialists over 55.
Million-tenge gap in the digital sector
In the digital sector, the gap is also measured in millions. An experienced IT specialist (35-44 years old) at a state enterprise earns around 377,000 tenge. In a Kazakhstani private company, the same work pays 1.4 million, and in a foreign one — 2.7 million tenge. A similar picture is seen among lawyers: from 288,000 tenge at state enterprises to 1.5-5.1 million tenge in international audit and law firms.
Even in social sectors, private and foreign pay more
Even in social sectors where the state traditionally maintains control, private and foreign entities pay more. In state universities, teachers earn about 479,000 tenge versus 614,000 in international ones. And doctors in state clinics receive around 395,000 tenge, lagging behind private and foreign medical centers with their salaries of half a million.
Thus, the statistics confirm that salary levels in the public sector lag significantly behind private and foreign companies in many fields. This reduces the attractiveness of state enterprises, especially for experienced specialists and young people.