Kazakhstan Rate of Natural Increase

Kazakhstan’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between its crude birth rate and crude death rate—has been positive but relatively modest compared to some of its neighbors. As of the early 2020s, Kazakhstan’s RNI hovers around 1% per year, indicating slow but steady population growth driven by a birth rate that exceeds the death rate. This rate is lower than that of Uzbekistan, which has one of the highest RNIs in Central Asia, reflecting a younger population and higher fertility rates. In contrast, Russia, Kazakhstan’s northern neighbor, has experienced periods of negative or near-zero RNI due to low birth rates and higher mortality, resulting in stagnant or declining population numbers. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan both have higher RNIs than Kazakhstan, reflecting their younger populations and higher fertility rates. Overall, Kazakhstan’s RNI places it in an intermediate position in the region: higher than Russia’s, but lower than those of its southern Central Asian neighbors.

Data from US Census International Database