Kazakhstan demonstrates a high level of social support for its population: the average pension is 157,000 tenge, which is significantly higher than the figures for other countries in Central Asia.
COMPARISON OF SOCIAL BENEFITS IN THE REGION
According to the Telegram channel "Black Swan, Crayfish and Pike", the average pension in Kazakhstan is 157,000 tenge, which is significantly higher than in neighbouring countries: in Kyrgyzstan — 60,000 tenge, in Uzbekistan — 61,000 tenge, in Tajikistan — 22,000 tenge.
A similar situation is observed with maternity benefits. In Kazakhstan, payments range from 164,000 tenge to 1.1 million tenge depending on length of service and contributions. For comparison, in Kyrgyzstan the total amount of such a benefit is 43,000 tenge, in Uzbekistan — 34,000 tenge, in Tajikistan — 11,000 tenge.
WHAT TYPES OF SUPPORT ARE AVAILABLE IN KAZAKHSTAN
The social support system in Kazakhstan covers a wide range of life situations. Key payments include:
- childbirth grant — from 164,000 tenge;
- monthly childcare payments — up to 38,000 tenge;
- payments to large families — from 69,000 tenge and above;
- disability benefits — up to 111,000 tenge;
- survivor's benefits — around 55,000 tenge.
In addition, targeted social assistance and additional payments for low-income families are provided.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT MEASURES
Particular attention is paid to subsidising public transport. For instance, in Astana, 62.34 billion tenge has been allocated for these purposes in 2026, and in Almaty — 107.6 billion tenge, including funding for the metro and socially significant routes.
Also, compensation for rising utility tariffs is provided from local budgets, along with funding for other social measures. However, the specific mechanisms for distributing these funds are not specified in the materials.
WHAT THE FIGURES LOOK LIKE IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Kyrgyzstan:
- Maternity benefit — around 43,000 tenge. The first 10 days are paid by the employer, after which a fixed amount is paid;
- One-off childbirth grant ("balaga suyunchu") — 21,000 tenge;
- Monthly allowance for low-income families with children ("Uy-bulogo komok") — around 6,000 tenge;
- Disability benefits — from 10,000 to 29,000 tenge;
- Survivor's benefit — around 16,000 tenge.
Specific programmes are aimed at supporting residents of high-altitude regions, including payments for children under three years old — around 16,000 tenge per month.
Uzbekistan:
- One-off childbirth grant for the first child is — 34,000 tenge;
- Old-age pension and disability benefits — around 39,000 tenge;
- Survivor's benefits and allowances for the elderly without work history — around 31,000 tenge;
The number of pension recipients in the country reaches 4.3 million people, the majority of whom receive old-age payments.
Tajikistan:
- One-off childbirth grant — from 3,000 to 11,000 tenge depending on the birth order;
- Monthly childcare allowance — around 3,000 tenge;
- Targeted assistance for low-income families and payments to elderly citizens over 80 years old — around 7,000 tenge;
- Survivor's benefit — from 7,000 to 12,000 tenge;
- Basic pension — around 12,000 tenge, and this is the basis from which payments for people with disabilities are calculated;
CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
The grounds for receiving social assistance in the countries of the region are similar — childbirth, disability, loss of a breadwinner, and retirement. However, the level of payments and the scale of funding differ.
The presented data show that Kazakhstan provides a higher level of social support. However, the materials do not clarify how differences in the price level affect the purchasing power of these payments.