As part of a three-year project aimed at strengthening the national statistical system of the Republic of Kazakhstan, experts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conducted the final stage of a review focused on enhancing the quality, transparency, and international comparability of official statistics. Based on the results of their work, the experts highly praised Kazakhstan’s approaches to calculating gross domestic product indicators, noting that only a few countries in the world perform monthly GDP calculations. They also expressed interest in studying Kazakhstan’s experience in this area.

The project, implemented jointly with the Bureau of National Statistics of the ASPR of the RK, included a three-day mission during which an international group of specialists analysed key areas — from the methodology of data collection and processing to national accounts, financial statistics, and indicators of population well-being. OECD representatives examined the Bureau’s activities in detail, assessed the progress achieved, and discussed further steps to improve the country’s statistical system. The mission’s results will form the basis for further adoption of advanced methodologies and international standards in national statistical practice.

The initiative for conducting an in-depth review continues the systemic reforms launched by the Bureau in 2023. That year, together with the OECD and other international partners, a global assessment of the national statistical system was carried out. As a result, Kazakhstan received positive feedback from experts for its progress and ongoing reforms.

“Kazakhstan attaches great importance to cooperation with the OECD, and alignment with high standards is a priority for us. As a result of the work carried out, on July 22, 2025, Kazakhstan officially joined the OECD Council Recommendation on Good Statistical Practice, becoming the first country in the CIS to adopt this international standard”, said Maxat Turlubayev, Head of the Bureau of National Statistics of the ASPR of the|RK.

According to the preliminary conclusions, the Bureau of National Statistics demonstrated significant results and a strong commitment to continuous improvement. The experts highlighted the introduction of alternative data sources, increased attention to data quality, optimisation of data collection through reducing reporting burdens on respondents, and the development of the potential for using administrative data to prevent duplication.

Additionally, the experts recommended exploring new areas, such as conducting a survey on digital well-being, which would help Kazakhstan strengthen its position among the leading countries in the statistical field.

The international mission was led by Julien Dupont, Director of the Office of the OECD Statistics and Data Directorate. The expert group also included Nora Bohossian, Director of the Office of Global Relations; David Brackfield, Representative of the Trade and Productivity Statistics Division; Žiga Žarnić, Expert at the OECD Centre on Well-being, Inclusion, Sustainability and Equal Opportunity; and Jorrit Zwijnenburg, Representative of the National Accounts Division.

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In July 2025, the OECD officially confirmed that Kazakhstan meets the requirements of the OECD Council Recommendation on Good Statistical Practice. This became an important international recognition, making Kazakhstan the 44th participating country—and the first partner country outside the OECD region—to join this standard.