As of May 1, 2026, total tax revenues collected across the city of Atyrau and the region’s seven districts reached KZT 203.4 billion. This represents an increase of KZT 8.5 billion, or 4.3%, compared with KZT 194.9 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.
Five of the region’s eight territories posted higher tax revenues. However, the overall increase was driven almost entirely by the regional capital. Tax collections in Atyrau rose by KZT 31.6 billion, while the combined revenues of the remaining seven districts declined by KZT 23.2 billion.
District and city performance
Tax revenues remain highly concentrated. Atyrau accounts for 74.6% of all district and city tax collections, while Zhylyoi Districtcontributes 21.7%. Together, these two territories generate 96.3% of total revenues across the region. Despite a significant year-on-year decline, Zhylyoi District continues to rank second in terms of tax collections.
Largest year-on-year increases:
- Atyrau: +KZT 31.6 billion
- Makat District: +KZT 0.15 billion
- Isatay District: +KZT 0.03 billion
Smaller gains were also recorded in Kyzylkoginsky and Kurmangazy districts. Meanwhile, revenues declined in Zhylyoi District (-KZT 23.1 billion), Makhambet District (-KZT 0.21 billion), and Inder District (-KZT 0.07 billion). In effect, the strong performance of the regional capital fully offset the declines across several other territories.
Top districts and city by tax revenue:
- Atyrau – KZT 151.7 billion
- Zhylyoi District – KZT 44.1 billion
- Makhambet District – KZT 1.95 billion
- Isatay District – KZT 1.44 billion
- Makat District – KZT 1.44 billion
Lowest-performing territories:
- Inder District – KZT 0.69 billion
- Kyzylkoginsky District – KZT 0.71 billion
- Kurmangazy District – KZT 1.33 billion
The gap between the highest and lowest performers is approximately 219-fold. Atyrau generated KZT 151.7 billion, compared with just KZT 0.69 billion in Inder District, making this one of the clearest examples of tax revenue concentration around a regional capital.
Leaders in personal income tax (PIT) collections:
- Atyrau – KZT 47.05 billion
- Zhylyoi District – KZT 2.25 billion
- Makhambet District – KZT 0.88 billion
Leaders in corporate income tax (CIT) collections:
- Atyrau – KZT 32.28 billion
- Zhylyoi District – KZT 1.20 billion
- Makat District – KZT 0.21 billion
Atyrau region development plan (2026-2030): investment pipeline
According to the 2026-2030 Atyrau Region Development Plan, the region’s investment strategy extends beyond the oil and gas sector to include petrochemicals and manufacturing. Most flagship projects are concentrated in Atyrau and the surrounding industrial zone.
Key investment projects include:
- Construction of a gas separation plant and an ethane pipeline
- Development of the first integrated gas chemical complex producing polyethylene
- Construction of a gas processing plant at the Kashagan field
- A terephthalic acid and derivatives production project
- Staple fiber manufacturing
- Modernization of a fish processing plant
- A geogrid manufacturing facility
- Stretch hood film production
- Construction of a garment factory in Atyrau
Atyrau Region continues to post positive growth in tax revenues, with collections rising 4.3% year-on-year. The overwhelming concentration of revenues in Atyrau and Zhylyoi District reflects the region’s long-established specialization in the oil and gas industry, which remains the primary driver of economic activity and public revenues.
At the same time, the investment pipeline is gradually becoming more diversified. Alongside large-scale upstream energy projects, the region is preparing investments in petrochemicals, manufacturing, light industry, and fish processing. These initiatives are expected to broaden Atyrau’s industrial base, create new employment opportunities, and generate additional tax revenues over the medium term. Their long-term impact, however, will depend on timely project delivery and the successful ramp-up of production capacity.
National Bureau of Economic Research specifically for EconomyKZ.org
