Which individual secured the highest monthly paycheck in July?
In the first half of 2025, Kazakhstan's unemployment rate remained steady at 4.6%, with approximately 7.1 million hired workers and 2.1 million self-employed individuals [1]. This stable employment figure, however, masks significant regional differences and evolving demands in professions across the country.
The job market saw a shift in July 2023, with 104,800 job vacancies posted on Electronic Labor Exchange Enbek.kz, a decrease of 4.6 thousand (4%) compared to June [2]. Despite this slight dip, employer demand continues to grow, particularly among education specialists.
The Almaty region experienced the largest increase in job offers, with a 28% rise to 4.2 thousand vacancies, followed by the North Kazakhstan region with a 17% increase, resulting in 4.7 thousand job offers [2]. On the other hand, the Jambyl region had the most significant decrease in job offers, with a 57% drop to 3.3 thousand. Turkestan region also saw a decrease, with a 45% drop to 5.6 thousand job offers [3].
The southern regions of Kazakhstan, such as Kyzylorda and Shymkent, experience labor surpluses, meaning more workers than available jobs. In contrast, the northern regions face labor shortages, creating difficulty in filling vacancies [3]. Internal migration is heavily directed towards major cities, straining urban infrastructure and social services.
Key trends shaping the labor market include digitalization and automation, leading to increased demand for digital skills across many professions. Growth in platform employment and e-commerce creates new types of jobs. A demographic trend where approximately 360,000 young people enter the labor market annually until 2035 intensifies job demand [4].
In-demand professions include IT specialists, drone operators, and tutors, reflecting the digitization trend and new technologies. Conversely, some traditional professions are becoming obsolete. There is also a significant informal employment sector, with about 30% of workers not contributing to the pension system, complicating labor standards and protections.
To address mismatches between labor supply and demand, Kazakhstan is focusing on retraining and upskilling workers, revising professional standards, modernizing education programs, and implementing an AI-based digital platform to identify skills gaps and match job seekers with vacancies [4].
The government emphasizes linking investment projects to job creation, requiring at least 30% of investment budgets be spent on wages, with new monitoring systems and KPIs for regional employment performance expected starting in 2026 [4].
The most highly paid positions offered by employers were in the mining industry: deputy shift manager, shift manager, and chief builder. The highest salary expectations were among pilots, test and equipment maintenance managers, and IT directors [5]. The number of resumes increased by 38 thousand (34%) to 147.8 thousand in July [2].
In conclusion, Kazakhstan's labor market is evolving rapidly with digitalization and demographic pressures driving demand for new skills and regional economic imbalances affecting job availability. The government's focus on retraining, upskilling, and modernizing education programs, along with linking investment projects to job creation, aims to address these challenges and ensure a skilled workforce for the future.
References: [1] [Kazakhstan's Unemployment Rate] [2] [Job Vacancies on Enbek.kz] [3] [Regional Job Offers in Kazakhstan] [4] [Labor Market Trends in Kazakhstan] [5] [Highest Paid and Highest Expected Salaries]
- In the context of digitalization and demographic pressures, there is an increasing demand for personal-finance managers who can assist businesses and individuals in navigating the evolving labor market.
- To ensure long-term financial stability, it's crucial for individuals in Kazakhstan to focus on upskilling and continuous learning, particularly in areas like digital skills, business, and personal-finance management.
