Kazakhstan has achieved significant progress since gaining independence
Kazakhstan celebrates its national holiday — Republic Day. The publication Tengri Life examines how this holiday originated and what changes have occurred over the 35-year period.
Origin of Republic Day
The holiday dates back to October 25, 1990, when the Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh SSR approved the Declaration of State Sovereignty. This document established Kazakhstan's right to independently determine the political, economic, and cultural foundations of its existence for the first time.
This Declaration became the basis for the adoption of the Constitutional Law "On the State Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan," which was ratified on December 16, 1991. The document outlined the key principles on which the new independent state was built: unitarity, independence in international relations, indivisibility, and protection of territorial integrity.
Evolution of the holiday's status
In 1995, Republic Day was declared a national holiday and became a non-working day alongside Independence Day. However, in 2001 it gained state status, and in 2009 it was removed from the list of state holidays.
In 2022, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed the initiative to restore Republic Day's status as a national holiday.
"This was the first step our country took towards independence. The first president Nursultan Nazarbayev played a key role in the adoption of this document. Republic Day should become a symbol of a bold step towards statehood. Independence Day undoubtedly remains the main national holiday, but on this day we should honor the memory of national heroes who made a significant contribution to our freedom," Tokayev noted.
At a recent ceremonial event on the occasion of Republic Day, Tokayev referred to October 25 as a "sacred day."
"This year we celebrate an important milestone — 35 years ago the Declaration of Sovereignty of Kazakhstan was adopted. This day revived the traditions of our centuries-old statehood and marked the rise of the banner of our Independence. Historical justice has been restored, and the national spirit has been strengthened. Therefore, this date can be considered sacred, having opened the way to the independence of our people. Independence is the highest value that we must cherish. Sovereignty is a symbol of the courage demonstrated by our ancestors in defense of the interests of the people," the president added.
Development of Kazakhstan over the years of independence
Economy
According to the Bureau of National Statistics, Kazakhstan's economy has grown 4.4 times in real terms from 1994 to 2024. It is also noted that GDP per capita increased from $735.9 to $14,444.6.
"Thus, Kazakhstan has entered the group of countries with upper-middle income according to World Bank methodology," the bureau's press release emphasizes.
The number of people employed in the economy increased from 6.7 million in 2001 to 9.2 million in 2024.
Data on foreign trade and the business environment were also presented:
- the volume of foreign trade turnover increased 16 times — from $9.1 billion in 1995 to $142.1 billion in 2024;
- exports grew more than 15.4 times, reaching $81.7 billion, and the number of trading partners increased from 146 to 195 countries (from 1995 to 2024);
- the number of operating enterprises increased 4 times since 2005 — to 2 million;
- the share of SMEs in GDP increased from 10.5 percent in 2005 to 38.9 percent in 2024.
Population and demographics
According to the bureau's information, over the years of independence, the population of the country has increased by almost 4 million — from 16.4 million in 1991 to 20.4 million in 2025.
Birth rates have also increased — from 14.57 per thousand people in 1999 to 18.15 per thousand people in 2024.
Life expectancy has increased by almost ten years — from 64.9 years in 1994 to 75.44 years in 2024.
Infrastructure and housing
According to the Bureau of National Statistics, the volume of housing commissioned increased from 2.3 million square meters in 1994 to 19.1 million square meters in 2024.
Housing provision per person increased from 16.3 to 24.5 square meters.
Since 1994, more than 11,000 kilometers of new roads and 5,200 kilometers of railways have been built in the country, as well as over 2,000 schools.
The level of urbanization increased from 55.7 percent in 1994 to 63 percent in 2024.
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