Life Expectancy in Kazakhstan Reaches Historic Peak

The number of people living beyond 100 continues to rise across Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan has recorded its highest ever life expectancy (өмір сүру ұзақтығы) [ömır süru ūzaqtyğy], reaching 75.97 years, according to official data from the Ministry of Health. This figure represents the most advanced level achieved since independence and reflects sustained improvements in population health outcomes (халық денсаулығы нәтижелері) [halyq densaulyğy nätizheleri] over several decades. The increase highlights structural changes in public health management and long-term investment in medical systems.

Historical data shows significant fluctuations before this recent growth. In 1991, average lifespan (орташа өмір ұзақтығы) [ortasha ömır ūzaqtyğy] stood at 67.6 years, declining to 65.6 years by 2001 during a period marked by economic instability and pressure on healthcare infrastructure (денсаулық сақтау инфрақұрылымы) [densaulyq saqtau infraqūrylymy]. Recovery began in the following decade, with life expectancy rising to 68.98 years in 2011 and reaching 70.23 years by 2021, demonstrating gradual stabilization and renewed capacity in medical services.

The Ministry of Health attributes the recent increase primarily to efforts targeting noncommunicable diseases (жұқпалы емес аурулар) [jūqpaly emes aurular], which account for the majority of deaths in the country. By 2025, Kazakhstan ranked among the top ten countries in the WHO European Region for achieving a 25% reduction in mortality rates (өлім-жітім деңгейі) [ölım-jıtım deñgeyi] linked to such diseases. This improvement reflects coordinated national policies aimed at reducing long-term health risks and improving treatment outcomes.

A key factor behind this progress has been the implementation of a systematic prevention strategy (жүйелі алдын алу стратегиясы) [jüieli aldyn alu strategïiasy], combined with expanded early diagnosis (ерте диагностика) [erte diagnostïka] and access to treatment for chronic illnesses. These measures have strengthened the country’s ability to manage conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, which historically contributed heavily to national mortality statistics.

Looking ahead, the government has introduced a long-term healthcare development strategy (денсаулық сақтау дамыту стратегиясы) [densaulyq saqtau damytu strategïiasy] extending to 2029, with a target of raising life expectancy to 77 years. The plan focuses on enhancing primary healthcare services (алғашқы медициналық көмек қызметтері) [alğaşqy medïcïnalıq kömek qyzmetterı], integrating digital technologies, strengthening the medical workforce, and supporting scientific research within the health sector.

Priority areas under this strategy include reducing premature mortality (мерзімінен бұрын өлім) [merzımınen būryn ölım] caused by cardiovascular conditions, oncological diseases, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disorders. These categories represent the most significant contributors to early death and are central to national health policy planning. Addressing them is considered essential for sustaining long-term improvements in public health indicators (қоғамдық денсаулық көрсеткіштері) [qoğamdyq densaulyq körsetkışterı].

The development of this strategy involved collaboration with international partners, including UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund, ensuring alignment with global standards in health policy planning (денсаулық саясатын жоспарлау) [densaulyq saïasatyn josparlau]. Kazakhstan had previously become the first country in Central Asia to meet its targets for reducing premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases, reinforcing its position within regional health benchmarks.

However, the increase in life expectancy is also contributing to notable demographic shifts (демографиялық өзгерістер) [demografïialyq özgerıster]. Projections from the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund indicate that by 2050, approximately 19% of the population will be of retirement or pre-retirement age. This trend reflects the broader impact of improved longevity on population age structure (халықтың жас құрылымы) [halyqtyñ jas qūrylymy], raising long-term considerations for pension systems, labor markets, and social services.