How Kazakhstan’s capital is changing
In just ten years, the population of Astana is expected to exceed 2.3 million people, according to «24KZ». Today, every eleventh citizen of Kazakhstan lives in the capital.
Astana has long outgrown its role as merely the country’s administrative center. The city has become a tourism hub and a key driver of Kazakhstan’s economy, attracting investment and launching ambitious projects. At the same time, authorities are adapting the capital to new realities, from eliminating heating shortages to introducing legislation aimed at preventing chaotic urban development.
Over the past several years, Astana has transformed dramatically, becoming the main destination for internal migration. Tens of thousands of Kazakhstanis move to the capital each year, bringing the official population to more than 1.66 million residents. If current trends continue, the city's population is projected to reach 2.3 million within the next decade.
Today, Astana generates nearly 12% of Kazakhstan’s GDP. The city’s gross regional product has reached approximately 19 trillion tenge. Business activity and industrial production continue to expand. During the first four months of the year, local enterprises produced goods worth more than one trillion tenge, with manufacturing accounting for the largest share.
Vitaliy Dolzhenko, Director of a Dairy Processing Plant:
- This is the most advanced facility of its kind and fully meets European standards. There are no similar enterprises in Kazakhstan or elsewhere in the post-Soviet region. The plant is designed to produce 100 tons of dairy products and launch 30 to 35 new product lines. The products will be supplied to Astana and neighboring regions.
Murat Zauyrov, Director of the Heart Center Foundation:
- Our Alem equipment is a global flagship technology capable of preserving donor organs for more than 24 hours. Construction began on May 21, 2025, and just one year later we can already see injection molding machines in operation and the production of medical consumables underway. The facility has an annual capacity of 12 million units, including biomaterial containers, drainage devices, urine collection bags, disposable scalpels, and ventilator filters.
This economic activity has significantly boosted local revenues. Tax collections have increased by nearly one-third, while Astana’s annual budget has been approved at 1.4 trillion tenge. Importantly, more than 83% of this amount comes from the city’s own revenues rather than transfers from the national budget.
As the population grows, so do infrastructure demands. One major achievement is the complete elimination of the capital’s long-standing heating deficit. Environmental issues are also being addressed. With the existing landfill reaching capacity, construction has begun on Central Asia’s first waste-to-energy plant.
Meanwhile, housing construction continues at a rapid pace. Since the beginning of the year, approximately 1.4 million square meters of housing have been commissioned. Under the city’s master plan, around 140 new schools are expected to be built by 2035. Hospitals, kindergartens, and student dormitories are also under active construction.
The labor market remains stable, with unemployment standing at just 4.3%. The average monthly salary has reached 560,000 tenge.
ASTANA ATTRACTED ₸587 BILLION IN INVESTMENT
During the first four months of the year, Astana attracted nearly 600 billion tenge in investment. The figures were announced during Prime Minister’s visit to industrial and logistics facilities in the capital.
According to Zhenis Kassymbek, Astana is home to 246,000 small and medium-sized enterprises employing more than half a million people. This year, the city plans to launch 26 industrial projects, eight of which have already become operational, creating approximately 500 new jobs. Seven additional projects in the agricultural sector are expected to be implemented over the next two years.
Khalel Akimzhanov, Head of Astana’s Department of Investment and Entrepreneurship Development:
- Since the beginning of the year, the largest share of investment has been directed toward logistics and warehousing, accounting for approximately 38.8% of total investment. The industrial sector is also showing strong growth. Investment volume between January and April 2026 increased by nearly 76% compared to the same period in 2025.
MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION TOURISTS VISITED ASTANA
Astana’s growing appeal is attracting not only investors but also travelers. Last year, the capital welcomed a record 1.6 million visitors, a 7% increase compared to the previous year. The upward trend has continued for three consecutive years.
Domestic tourism accounts for the majority of visitor traffic, as more residents from other regions of Kazakhstan choose Astana for short trips. International visitors totaled more than 380,000 people. The top five source countries were Russia, China, Turkey, Germany, and the United States.
Nearly 70% of visitors traveled to Astana for leisure and cultural events. Major attractions included the international Comic Con Astana festival, the PGL Astana esports tournament, and concerts by global stars such as Backstreet Boys and Jennifer Lopez.
Yedige Adilkhanov, Acting Deputy Chairman of Kazakh Tourism:
- These events serve as anchor attractions that draw tourists and spark their interest. At the same time, visitors use a range of other services. When purchasing a ticket to an event such as Comic Con, tourists also pay for accommodation, dining, and transportation. They do not come for just a few hours; they stay for at least a day.
According to Mastercard data, the average foreign visitor spent around $230 per trip in Astana in 2024 on hotels, restaurants, transportation, and souvenirs. Surveys conducted by Astana Tourism indicate that average spending rose to $309 during the first quarter of this year.
More than 1,000 events are planned in the capital this year, with authorities expecting tourist arrivals to increase by another 10%.
Yedige Adilkhanov, Acting Deputy Chairman of Kazakh Tourism:
- The longer a guest stays in the country or city, the greater the benefit for Kazakhstan’s economy. International tourists want to experience authentic local culture. For domestic tourists, visiting Astana often serves as a city break and an opportunity to discover everything the capital has to offer.