Kazakhstan’s transport sector is showing strong growth. In January–August 2025, the country transported 753 million tons of cargo – 9.8% more than a year earlier. Cargo turnover rose by 12.1% and passenger turnover by 10%. Almost all regions posted growth, with Atyrau and Zhetysu regions, as well as Almaty and Shymkent cities leading the way. For the first time in years, transport has become a major driver of the real economy.
Key figures: the overall transport balance
• Index of physical volume for “Transport and storage” services – 121.5%
• Cargo transported – 753 million tons (+9.8%)
• Cargo turnover – 373.7 billion ton-km (+12.1%)
• Passengers transported – 1,238.7 million (+11.2%)
• Passenger turnover – 59.8 billion passenger-km (+10%)В-09-01-М (08 2025) рус
The sector is expanding faster than GDP, signaling a rebound in industry and trade. This underscores its growing role as a backbone of the economy.
Regions with the fastest cargo turnover growth:
• Atyrau region – +47.8%
• Zhetysu region – +41.1%
• Abai region – +30%
• Mangystau region – +28.9%
• Turkistan region – +22.5%
Passenger turnover leaders:
• Almaty region – up 1.7 times
• Almaty and Shymkent cities – +26% each
• Turkistan region – +20%
• Kyzylorda region – +17.4%В-09-01-М (08 2025) рус
This gap reflects different economic profiles: western and central regions move raw materials and goods, while the south and major cities move people and services.
Railways remain the core of logistics:
• Cargo transported – 300.3 million tons (+11.4%)
• Cargo turnover – 225.1 billion ton-km (+7.6%)
• Passengers – 13.5 million (−6.1%)
• Passenger turnover – 11 billion passenger-km (−1.7%)В-09-01-М (08 2025) рус
While freight continues to grow, passenger numbers are declining as more people switch to air and road travel.
Road transport is strengthening its role:
• Cargo – +1.8%
• Cargo turnover – +31.5%
• Passengers – +11.5%
• Passenger turnover – +16.5%В-09-01-М (08 2025) рус
The sharp rise in cargo turnover with only modest cargo volume growth shows that goods are being moved over longer distances – a sign of expanding markets.
Hidden arteries: pipelines
• Cargo transported – 228.1 million tons (+16.5%)
• Cargo turnover – 117.4 billion ton-km (+17.1%)В-09-01-М (08 2025) рус
The pipeline network is handling more volume, indicating a rebound in hydrocarbon exports.
Taking off: aviation
• 10.6 million passengers (+7.4%)
• 20.8 billion passenger-km (+8.7%)В-09-01-М (08 2025) рус
Air travel is growing as business and tourism flows recover.
Water and maritime transport
• Inland water transport: cargo −52.2%, passengers +9.8%
• Maritime transport: cargo +30.6%, cargo turnover +4.3%В-09-01-М (08 2025) рус
Maritime transport is becoming more important, while inland river transport is losing its role in freight logistics.
Transport has become one of Kazakhstan’s fastest-growing industries. Growth is coming from multiple directions at once – pipelines, railways, aviation, and road transport. Rising regional flows are reshaping the country’s economic map: the west drives exports, the south carries people and services, and major cities are evolving into transport hubs. If the trend continues, Kazakhstan could turn its transport sector into a long-term growth engine, linking domestic markets with international trade corridors.
Alen Serik, expert of the portal EconomyKZ.org
