Today, the Bureau of National Statistics presented the results of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) at the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The survey was conducted with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It has become the largest source of comprehensive data on the situation of children and women in Kazakhstan in recent years.

Presenting the results, Maxat Turlubayev, Head of the Bureau of National Statistics, noted that over 24,000 households across the country participated in the survey. More than 14,000 women, approximately 2,000 men, and over 16,000 children were interviewed. The response rate reached 96.3%, ensuring the accuracy and representativeness of the data. The survey covered a wide range of topics, including healthcare, education, living conditions, early childhood development, and child rights protection.

“For the fourth time, Kazakhstan has taken part in the global MICS initiative. We have collected an extensive volume of data that provides deeper insight into the needs of families with children. For example, the survey shows that 75.2% of children demonstrate development in key domains such as health, cognitive skills, and psychological well-being. There is also a positive trend in fathers’ involvement: in 2015 only 6.6% of fathers actively engaged with their children, whereas in 2024 this figure rose to 18.6%”, noted Maxat Turlubayev.

According to the results, the share of children aged 1–14 subjected to harsh disciplinary practices dropped from 52.7% in 2015 to 37.9% in 2024. Special attention was also given to nutrition issues: 23.2% of children aged 5–9 were found to be overweight. The full report will be published on the websites of the Bureau and UNICEF in June this year.

“Kazakhstan is setting an example for other countries in the region. The data obtained not only help measure progress but also identify challenges that remain to be addressed both nationally and regionally. This is a valuable tool for building a future where every child has equal opportunities for development and protection”, said Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan.

The MICS program has been implemented globally by UNICEF since 1995. More than 350 surveys have been conducted in 118 countries. In Kazakhstan, MICS has been carried out since 2005. The 2024 round introduced new modules on child labour, foundational learning skills, anthropometric measurements for children aged 5–9, as well as updated indicators on education, health, environmental conditions, and attitudes toward violence against women. For the first time, young men aged 15–24 were included as a target group.

The survey was conducted with financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

“Kazakhstan demonstrates strong commitment to improving the well-being of children and women. The MICS results provide valuable insights for developing effective strategies and programs aimed at sustainable development, strengthening human capital, and promoting social equity”, stated Utsav Kumar, ADB country Director for Kazakhstan.

“MICS results offer current and reliable national sets of disaggregated data, enabling Kazakhstan to assess progress in achieving its national and sustainable development goals, including in the areas of family planning, women’s and youth health and well-being, and efforts to eliminate violence. UNFPA will continue to collaborate with the Government of Kazakhstan, UNICEF, other UN agencies and partners to promote evidence-based policymaking and the development of impactful programs that ensure rights and choices for all at national and regional levels”, said Chinwe Ogbonna, UNFPA Country Representative in Kazakhstan and Country Director in Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.