Kazakhstan’s economy is becoming increasingly diversified, with investment, manufacturing, logistics, and modern services playing a larger role in growth, according to a new report by the World Impact Media Organization, DKNews.kz reports.
The report says Kazakhstan recorded 3.7% GDP growth during the first five months of 2026, following 6.5% growth in 2025, suggesting the country's economic expansion is becoming less dependent on the oil sector.
The findings come as the global economy continues to face slower growth, persistent inflation, tighter financial conditions, and increasing competition for investment.
Growth Extends Beyond the Energy Sector
According to the report, Kazakhstan's recent economic performance reflects broad-based expansion across multiple industries rather than reliance on commodity exports.
Key indicators include:
- GDP growth of 6.5% in 2025
- GDP growth of 3.7% during January–May 2026
- Real sector growth of 4%
- Services sector growth of 3.6%
Foreign direct investment (FDI) reached $20.5 billion in 2025, representing a 14.4% increase compared with the previous year.
The report also notes that investment is becoming increasingly diversified beyond extractive industries.
Greenfield Investment Surges
Citing data from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the report states that Kazakhstan attracted $19 billion in greenfield investment in 2025.
That represented:
- A 266% increase year-on-year
- Nearly 89% of all greenfield investment flowing into Central Asia
During the first five months of 2026:
- Total capital investment increased by 7%
- Private investment rose 17.4%
Construction and Manufacturing Lead Growth
Several sectors posted particularly strong results during the reporting period.
According to official statistics cited in the report:
- Construction grew 13.4%
- Manufacturing expanded 9%
- Transport and warehousing increased 8.4%
- Trade rose 5.6%
- Agriculture grew 3.6%
- Telecommunications increased 3.7%
The report identifies investment as the main driver behind this broad-based expansion.
Investment Reforms Continue
The report says Kazakhstan has continued implementing reforms designed to create a more predictable investment environment.
Among the measures highlighted are:
- Updated Investment Policy Concept through 2030
- Investment Headquarters mechanism
- National Digital Investment Platform
- Investment Agreements offering legislative stability for up to 25 years
- Tax and customs incentives
- Infrastructure support
- Administrative simplification
Kazakhstan has also expanded bilateral investment protection agreements with several countries, including Qatar, Singapore, China, and Saudi Arabia.
The country currently operates:
- 18 Special Economic Zones
- 67 industrial zones
Together, they host 586 investment projects.
The report also highlights the role of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), which operates under English common law and provides access to green finance, Islamic finance, fintech, and independent dispute resolution.
Diversifying Industry and Agriculture
The report notes that economic policy has increasingly shifted toward higher value-added industries and export-oriented production.
Among the latest indicators:
- Manufacturing investment increased by 47.4% in 2025.
- Agricultural output grew 3.6% during the first five months of 2026.
- Investment in agriculture increased 36.4%.
- Investment in food manufacturing rose 2.7 times.
Kazakhstan is also expanding renewable energy capacity while continuing to modernize conventional power generation.
Expert Sees Structural Shift
Jasmine Abdul, Chief Editor of the World Impact Media Organization, said the latest figures point to a significant transformation in Kazakhstan's economic model.
«These figures describe a clear shift. Kazakhstan is increasingly growing on investment, manufacturing, and modern services rather than commodities alone, and it is doing so while much of the global economy slows.»
Why This Matters
The report suggests Kazakhstan is making steady progress toward reducing its dependence on commodity exports by expanding manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, technology, and services.
At a time when many economies are facing slower growth and more challenging investment conditions, the combination of structural reforms and rising foreign investment could strengthen Kazakhstan's long-term economic resilience and competitiveness.
