Activity returned to its pre-COVID level in 2021. Inflation remains well above the NBK's 4-6 percent target band, and spillovers from sanctions on Russia will exacerbate price pressures and weaken economic growth in 2022. Kazakhstan benefits from strong fiscal and external buffers but risks to...

Growth is estimated to have reached 4.8 percent in 2023 and is projected to slow to 3.1 percent in 2024. Inflation declined to 9.8 percent in 2023, still well above the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK)'s target of 5 percent. Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside. The state's footprint...

KEY ISSUES Context: Solid growth in recent years, supported by high oil prices and output, has boosted living standards. This year, the economy is slowing down, in large part because of weaker domestic and external demand, and regional tensions. Inflation is expected to accelerate temporarily...

This Selected Issues paper analyzes whether Kazakhstan has made progress in achieving a more equal income distribution, lower poverty, and a higher level of employment. Given the overarching structural challenges for Kazakhstan, the authorities are stepping up efforts to implement various...

Inflation has surged to 18 percent while growth is projected to slow to 2.7 percent this year. High oil prices have strengthened fiscal and external buffers, while the revised budget increased public spending by 2½ percentage points of GDP to support activity. Subsidiaries of sanctioned Russian...

This paper analyzes the Republic of Kazakhstan's 2013 Article of Consultation. The IMF report focuses on vision of developing Kazakhstan into a leading emerging market economy requires concerted efforts to strengthen the policy architecture. It highlights the importance of enhancing the...

This Selected Issues paper presents an assessment of leveraging oil wealth for development in Kazakhstan. By saving most of the tax revenues collected from the oil sector in an off-budget oil fund Kazakhstan has been relatively successful in ensuring that government revenue volatility does not...