In the first nine months of 2025, Kazakhstan's economy showed impressive growth — gross domestic product increased by 6.3%, which is 2.3 percentage points higher than at the beginning of the year. This is reported by the Kazinform agency with reference to government data.
The key drivers of growth were the transport and logistics sector, the construction industry, domestic trade, as well as the mining and manufacturing industries. According to experts, it is these areas that have ensured a steady influx of investment and employment growth.
Investments in fixed assets increased by 13.5% year–on-year in January-September 2025, while investments in the manufacturing industry increased by almost 31%. The government notes that the positive dynamics is associated with active business lending, the expansion of infrastructure programs and the implementation of large industrial projects.
Special attention is paid to the development of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). As of September 1, 2025, over 2.17 million SMEs were registered in the country, which is 6.4% more than a year earlier. Small businesses already account for about 38.6% of GDP, and their output has grown by 11.4%, indicating an increase in entrepreneurial activity and the role of the private sector.
Kazakhstan retains its leading position in Central Asia in attracting foreign investment. According to the UNCTAD report, in 2024, the country received $17.2 billion in direct investments, most of which were directed to projects from scratch. Russia and China are among the largest investors, having invested $4.1 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.
The Government of Kazakhstan sets an ambitious goal to double GDP to $450 billion by 2029 and attract at least $150 billion in investments through the development of special economic zones and increasing the country's business attractiveness.
