Economy

GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT (GRP)

Almaty is the economic center of Kazakhstan and the largest contributor to the national economy. Following the results of the first nine months of 2025, the city’s share in the country’s GDP amounted to 20.5%. The gross regional product reached KZT 20,429.8 billion in current prices, with real growth of 6.7%, confirming устойчивую динамику развития and a high level of business activity.

The city’s economy is predominantly service-oriented: 56% of GRP is generated by services, 27.6% by trade, 4.3% by industry, and 2.2% by construction. A high concentration of financial services, trade, and the real estate market forms a stable economic ecosystem, ensuring steady domestic demand, developed infrastructure, and attractive conditions for the implementation of investment projects.

The small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector plays a significant role: following the results of the first half of 2025, the share of SMEs in the GRP structure reached 59.2%, indicating strong entrepreneurial activity and a diversified economic environment.

INFLATION

Over the past three years, inflation in Almaty has remained within the range of 9–12%, reflecting strong consumer demand and the dynamic development of the urban economy. Monetary policy is aimed at maintaining price stability and ensuring a predictable macroeconomic environment. A stable interest rate policy ensures access to financing for businesses and supports investment activity. Combined with a high concentration of business activity and a developed financial sector, this creates a stable and manageable economic environment for the implementation of investment projects.

EMPLOYMENT

Almaty has a large and active labor market: more than 73% of the city’s population is of working age, forming a sustainable workforce base for businesses. The employment rate reaches 95.6%, while unemployment remains at 4.4%, indicating high economic participation and a balanced labor market.

The employment structure reflects the service-oriented and knowledge-based character of the city’s economy — 63.7% of those employed are concentrated in the service sector, including education, healthcare, information technology, finance, and administrative services. The high share of employed individuals with higher education confirms the availability of qualified human capital and provides investors with access to skilled professionals and a stable business environment.

FOREIGN TRADE

Almaty’s foreign trade reflects the city’s high level of integration into the global economy and its role as the country’s largest trade and logistics hub. At the end of 2024, total external trade turnover amounted to USD 31.5 billion, and for January–November 2025 it reached USD 30.1 billion, confirming the preservation of large-scale and stable trade flows.

Almaty continues to expand its international economic presence: enterprises of the city export to more than 100 countries worldwide, demonstrating competitiveness in international markets and a broad geography of business ties.

The largest share of foreign trade turnover traditionally falls on neighboring countries — China and Russia, which form the core of the city’s trade flows. In 2025, trade turnover with China exceeded USD 8.4 billion, and with Russia — USD 6.6 billion, confirming the stability of regional economic ties and well-developed logistics infrastructure. At the same time, imports are sourced from more than 160 countries, highlighting the global diversification of partnerships and a high level of integration into world trade.

The scale of operations, strategic geographic location, and extensive international network provide investors with direct access to large markets, efficient supply chains, and opportunities to scale businesses both within Kazakhstan and beyond.