Minimum wage (MW) in Kazakhstan remains at 85,000 tenge for now. Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin stated that the issue of an increase was discussed, but the corresponding changes have not yet been included in the draft budget for 2027–2029.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE MW INCREASE
At a briefing in the Kurultai, Zhumangarin told journalists that the Government had considered various options for raising the minimum wage, but the current draft budget still retains the previous figure — 85,000 tenge.
WHY THE TIMELINE FOR THE INCREASE REMAINS UNKNOWN
The draft law "On the Republican Budget for 2027–2029" was approved by the Kurultai at first reading. At the same time, the draft for next year provides for a minimum wage of 85,000 tenge.
In April, First Vice-Minister of National Economy Azamat Amrin reported on a considered option to raise the MW to 150,000 tenge. At the same time, a tax security expert assessed the consequences of a possible MW increase. According to him, the increase will primarily affect small businesses.
In June 2026, Zhumangarin said that when forming the next budget, the Government intends to provide for measures to increase the MW. At that time, he noted that the specific size of the increase had yet to be determined.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT SUPPORT FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES
State support for entrepreneurship was also discussed at the briefing. According to data cited by Zhumangarin, Guarantee Fund 1 supported 1,965 projects for a total of 300 billion tenge. Of this amount, 150 billion tenge consisted of guarantees provided to secure business financing.
For Guarantee Fund 2, the minister cited a volume of guarantees amounting to 128 billion tenge.
Guarantee mechanisms allow entrepreneurs to obtain financing when they have insufficient collateral. At the same time, guarantees should not be equated with direct budget payments to businesses: they secure obligations on loans.
CONTEXT
On 14 October, Kurultai deputies considered the draft law "On the Republican Budget for 2027–2029" at first reading. As part of the discussion, Serik Zhumangarin presented a forecast for the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan for the next three years. The document defines the main parameters of economic growth, state revenues and expenditures.
