Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked country, has experienced moderate population growth over recent decades. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazakhstan’s population initially declined due to emigration, particularly among ethnic Russians and other minorities. However, since the early 2000s, the population has steadily increased, driven by higher birth rates and government policies encouraging the return of ethnic Kazakhs from abroad. As of 2024, Kazakhstan’s population is estimated to be around 20 million, up from approximately 14.9 million in 1999. Urbanization has also played a role, with major cities like Almaty, Astana (now called Nur-Sultan), and Shymkent experiencing significant growth. Despite this upward trend, Kazakhstan’s population density remains low due to its vast territory, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the world.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 6,693,230 | 2.5 |
| 1955 | 7,976,879 | 3 |
| 1960 | 9,982,014 | 3.7 |
| 1965 | 11,902,456 | 4.4 |
| 1970 | 13,106,377 | 4.9 |
| 1975 | 14,157,075 | 5.2 |
| 1980 | 14,999,603 | 5.6 |
| 1985 | 15,998,854 | 5.9 |
| 1990 | 16,775,025 | 6.2 |
| 1995 | 16,389,860 | 6.1 |
| 2000 | 15,687,251 | 5.8 |
| 2005 | 16,120,507 | 6 |
| 2010 | 17,080,458 | 6.3 |
| 2015 | 18,150,942 | 6.7 |
| 2020 | 19,085,226 | 7.1 |
| 2022 | 19,398,331 | 7.2 |
| 2023 | 19,543,464 | 7.2 |
| 2024 | 19,682,326 | 7.3 |
| 2025 | 19,815,814 | 7.3 |
| 2030 | 20,415,211 | 7.6 |
| 2035 | 20,944,420 | 7.8 |
| 2040 | 21,467,369 | 8 |
| 2045 | 21,966,766 | 8.1 |
| 2050 | 22,380,770 | 8.3 |
| 2055 | 22,675,178 | 8.4 |
| 2060 | 22,871,143 | 8.5 |
| 2065 | 23,003,083 | 8.5 |
| 2070 | 23,088,775 | 8.6 |
| 2075 | 23,132,434 | 8.6 |
| 2080 | 23,134,191 | 8.6 |
| 2085 | 23,093,407 | 8.6 |
| 2090 | 23,009,318 | 8.5 |
| 2095 | 22,884,717 | 8.5 |
| 2100 | 22,720,020 | 8.4 |
Data from US Census International Database