In the I quarter of 2026, the unemployment rate¹⁾ in Kazakhstan, calculated according to the International Labour Organisation's methodology (who did not have a profitable occupation (job), were actively looking for it and were ready to start it), amounted to 4,5%.

            According to the 1^st quarter 2026 sample employment survey, the labour force was 9838.1 thousand people. 9392,0 thousand people were employed in various sectors of the economy, of whom 7290,4 thousand were wage earners (77,6% of all workers in the economy) and 2101,6 thousand were self-employed (22,4% of all workers in the economy). The employment rate to the population aged 15 and over was 64,1%.

Compared to the correspoonding quarter of last year, total employment increased by 108,5 thousand people, mostly at the expense of employees

The largest share of employees was observed in trade (16,7%), education (13,3%), industry (12,6%) and agriculture (10,2%).

The proportion of NEET youth who are neither employed nor engaged in education or training was 5,8%.

       Among young people aged 15 - 34²⁾, the unemployment rate was 3,0%.

Officially, as of the end of April 2026., 334.1 thousand unemployed people were registered in the employment agencies of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The registered unemployed accounted for 3.4% of the labor force.

Methodical explanation

The unemployed (according to ILO standards) are persons who did not have a profitable occupation (job), were actively looking for it and were ready to start it.

¹⁾ Data from a sample survey of employment.

²⁾ According to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On State Youth Policy". From January 1, 2023 the age of young people is increased to 35 years.