As of May 1, 2026, total tax revenues collected across the 20 districts and cities of the Kostanay Region reached KZT 69.2 billion. That was KZT 7.4 billion, or 9.7%, lower than a year earlier, when revenues totaled KZT 76.6 billion.
The regional picture was largely negative. Tax collections increased in only 6 of the 20 districts and cities, while 14 recorded declines. The sharpest setback came from the city of Rudny, which accounted for KZT 5.0 billion of the region’s overall KZT 7.4 billion decline, representing 67.3% of the total decrease.
District and city performance
Tax revenues remain heavily concentrated in the region’s two largest urban centers. Kostanay generated 56.8% of total district and city tax collections, while Rudny contributed 14.9%. Together, the two cities accounted for 71.7% of all territorial tax revenues.
Largest increases in tax revenues:
- Kostanay District: +KZT 0.44 billion
- Fedorov District: +KZT 0.29 billion
- Karabalyk District: +KZT 0.14 billion
Meanwhile, 14 territories posted lower tax revenues. The steepest declines were recorded in Rudny (-KZT 5.0 billion), Lisakovsk (-KZT 1.16 billion) and Kostanay (-KZT 0.55 billion). The gains recorded in six territories were not sufficient to offset these losses.
Top districts and cities by tax revenues:
- Kostanay — KZT 39.3 billion
- Rudny — KZT 10.3 billion
- Kostanay District — KZT 4.4 billion
- Zhitikara District — KZT 2.0 billion
- Lisakovsk — KZT 1.64 billion
Lowest tax revenues:
- Zhangeldin District — KZT 0.15 billion
- Naurzum District — KZT 0.26 billion
- Amangeldi District — KZT 0.30 billion
The gap between the largest and smallest contributors is striking. Kostanay collected KZT 39.3 billion, while Zhangeldin District generated just KZT 0.15 billion, a difference of roughly 262 times.
Top performers in Personal Income Tax (PIT):
- Kostanay — KZT 18.93 billion
- Rudny — KZT 5.80 billion
- Kostanay District — KZT 1.82 billion
- Zhitikara District — KZT 1.31 billion
- Lisakovsk — KZT 1.11 billion
Top performers in Corporate Income Tax (CIT):
- Kostanay — KZT 15.55 billion
- Rudny — KZT 1.94 billion
- Kostanay District — KZT 1.51 billion
- Arkalyk — KZT 0.36 billion
- Karasu District — KZT 0.34 billion
Key development projects
The region is implementing a broad pipeline of investment projects spanning manufacturing, agriculture, transport and infrastructure. Major initiatives include:
- Construction of a railway access line serving the Industrial Zone and manufacturing hub in Kostanay.
- Development of engineering infrastructure for automotive component production in Kostanay.
- Expansion of transport and logistics infrastructure within the Kostanay Industrial Zone.
- Construction of a deep grain-processing plant in Rudny.
- Development of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel complex in Tobyl, Kostanay District.
- Construction of a new passenger terminal at Arkalyk Airport.
- Expansion of electricity and water infrastructure for irrigation systems in Kostanay District.
- Gas supply infrastructure for a roadside service facility in Denisov District.
The Kostanay Region continues to rely on a highly concentrated tax base, with more than 70% of revenues generated by Kostanay and Rudny. Results for the first four months of 2026 illustrate how dependence on a small number of major industrial centers increases the sensitivity of regional budget revenues to changes in the performance of individual enterprises and industries. The sharp decline in tax collections from Rudny was the primary factor behind the region’s overall contraction.
At the same time, the current investment pipeline is focused on expanding industrial processing, machinery manufacturing, logistics and agribusiness. Over time, these projects could broaden the region’s economic base, reduce dependence on traditional industries and support a more balanced distribution of tax revenues across the region.
National Bureau of Economic Research specifically for EconomyKZ.org
