In October 2024 the average nominal per capita income in Kazakhstan reached 206 887 tenge. This is 2% higher than in October 2023. However, the real picture is different. Over the same period the real monetary incomes decreased by 6%.
Nominal incomes are rising. From January to October 2024 the nominal income index reached 108.5% compared to the same period in 2023. However, the real income index was only 99.8%. Inflation has eroded the gains in nominal earnings.
Average figures hide significant regional disparities. The highest nominal income was recorded in Atyrau Region at 338 731 tenge per capita. Almaty follows with 316 014 tenge. Astana ranks third at 288 568 tenge.
The lowest income was observed in Turkestan Region, where the average is 125 231 tenge. The gap between Turkestan and Atyrau Regions is 2.7 times.
Some regions have shown notable income growth. For example, nominal incomes in Mangystau Region increased by 24.8%. In Turkestan Region the growth was 16.7%. However, real growth was more modest. Adjusted for inflation, real incomes rose by only 13.1% in Mangystau and 9.4% in Turkestan.
In the third quarter of 2024 the average nominal monthly wage in Kazakhstan was 390 328 tenge. This is 11.3% higher than in the same period of 2023. However, real wages increased by only 2.7%.
The highest salaries are in the financial and insurance sectors. Workers in these industries earn an average of 831 462 tenge per month. This is more than double the national average. The information and communication sector ranks second at 673 345 tenge. The industrial sector comes third with 560 826 tenge.
The lowest wages are in education, where the average is 271 982 tenge. Healthcare and social services also fall below the national average at 312 986 tenge. The gap between the highest and lowest-paid sectors exceeds three times.
Real wage growth lags behind nominal increases. For example, in construction the nominal wages grew by 5.3%, but real wages fell by 2.9%. In agriculture, real wages increased by 10.6%, driven by seasonal factors.
The highest real wage growth was recorded in the information and communication sector (18.2%) and in finance (14.7%). These industries benefit from growing investment and demand for their services.
Regional wage disparities remain significant. Atyrau Region leads with an average monthly wage of 630 894 tenge. This is nearly double the average wage in Turkestan Region where it is only 266 590 tenge.
Astana and Almaty also rank high. The average wage in Astana is 504 212 tenge, and in Almaty it is 471 264 tenge. In Shymkent the figure is much lower at 309 733 tenge.
The lowest wages are in North Kazakhstan Region (286,956 tenge) and Zhambyl Region (279,645 tenge). The gap between the highest and lowest-paying regions exceeds 2.2 times.
Kazakhstan’s incomes are growing nominally. However, inflation significantly reduces real earnings. Regional disparities remain a pressing issue. Urban centers and economically developed regions continue to lead, while rural and underdeveloped areas lag behind.
Increasing real incomes requires stronger government policies. Controlling inflation, boosting incomes in lagging regions, and ensuring equal economic opportunities are essential. These steps will help achieve sustainable improvements in living standards across all regions.
Prepared by: Sultan Valikhanov, expert of the Economy KZ portal
