Russia and Kazakhstan
Neighbourhood, energy, transport and Eurasian institutions form an extensive relationship. The November 2025 statement elevated the strategic framework. Dialogue continued in September 2026, without a partnership implying Kazakhstan's relinquishment of national foreign-policy decisions.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07The November 2025 statement
The document reproduced by Kazinform establishes a framework of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance.
Energy production and transport
The statement includes production, transport and supply of oil, gas, coal and electricity.
September 2026 diplomatic meeting
The Kazakh ministry documents a meeting between its minister and the Russian ambassador on 17 September.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 27,787.46 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / KAZ |
| Goods: Russia to Kazakhstan | 19,539.14 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / KAZ |
| Goods: Kazakhstan to Russia | 8,248.32 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / KAZ |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Russia to Kazakhstan | ||
| Export share: Kazakhstan to Russia | 10.41 % | 2025 · UN Comtrade / KAZ |
| Investment stock: Russia in Kazakhstan | ||
| Investment stock: Kazakhstan in Russia |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / KAZ · Goods; full year; KAZ reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Goods: Russia to Kazakhstan
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / KAZ · Goods; full year; KAZ reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Goods: Kazakhstan to Russia
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / KAZ · Goods; full year; KAZ reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Export share: Kazakhstan to Russia
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / KAZ · Goods share: KAZ exports to the partner / the same reporter's exports to the world, same year.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | Russia | Kazakhstan |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 2.59 trillion USDIMF est.2025 · IMF | 306.24 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 17,972.12 USDIMF est.2025 · IMF | 14,692.13 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 1 %2025 · WB | 6.5 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 14 %2026-09-11 · CBR | |
| Inflation · annual average | 8.72 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 11.39 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 6.33 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · CBR | |
| Unemployment | 2.13 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 4.77 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -3.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -3.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 17.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 24.6 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 1.68 %2025 · WB | -4.07 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 143,997,000IMF est.2025 · IMF | 20,843,7542025 · WB |
| Area | 17,125,190 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 2,724,902 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
For Russia, GDP, population and GDP per capita are estimates from the same IMF (WEO) dataset for 2025. The per-capita figure published by the IMF is used, rather than a calculation of our own. The earlier World Bank series could not be reconciled and are not mixed with this dataset. Review: 2026-10-07. IMF data terms of use0
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDRussia: 2025 · Nominal GDP in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Kazakhstan: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personRussia: 2025 · Nominal GDP per capita in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Kazakhstan: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Russia: 2025 · World BankKazakhstan: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Russia: 2026-09-11 · Bank of Russia policy rate · Bank of Russia
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Russia: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World BankKazakhstan: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedRussia: 2026-08 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Bank of Russia · Published: 2026-09-16 · Year-on-year CPI. The commentary's 6.9% is annualised seasonally adjusted monthly growth and is not used here.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionRussia: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Kazakhstan: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Russia: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Kazakhstan: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Russia: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Kazakhstan: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPRussia: 2025 · World BankKazakhstan: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleRussia: 2025 · Population from the WEO series; do not mix with a denominator from another source · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Kazakhstan: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceRussia: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; territorial coverage as defined by the source · World Bank · FAOKazakhstan: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Russia to Kazakhstan
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 2,277.8 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 1,242 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 822.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 413.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 181.8 M USD2025 · Source |
Kazakhstan to Russia
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 830.4 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 561.1 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 487.4 M USD2025 · Source |
| Land vehicles and components | 115.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 23.5 M USD2025 · Source |
Connections between people
Education, work, visits and community connections have their own records and procedures. Residents are not equivalent to annual arrivals, and visits may be repeated. The tables retain dates, definitions and sources to distinguish these connections from business contracts and government decisions. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Russia living in Kazakhstan | ||
| Residents from Kazakhstan living in Russia | ||
| Study and training: Russia in Kazakhstan | ||
| Study and training: Kazakhstan in Russia | ||
| Academic stays: Russia in Kazakhstan | ||
| Academic stays: Kazakhstan in Russia | ||
| Travel: Russia to Kazakhstan | ||
| Travel: Kazakhstan to Russia |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
The November 2025 statement
The document reproduced by Kazinform establishes a framework of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance. It organises cooperation in different areas and recognises the relationship's institutional dimension. A political statement and a sectoral treaty are not the same instrument. Projects and security decisions have their own subsequent procedures and are not considered implemented merely because they appear as objectives in the text. [1]
Energy production and transport
The statement includes production, transport and supply of oil, gas, coal and electricity. These networks may also connect third countries: transit and domestic consumption are not equivalent. Bilateral customs flows do not automatically capture all value moving through shared infrastructure. Energy contracts and supply timetables require specific records to establish implementation and quantities. [1]
Border cooperation and institutions
The framework combines government dialogue with economic and regional connections. Neighbourhood and transport make customs, logistics and business activity on both sides relevant. Economic integration mechanisms are distinguished from defence agreements and trade preferences. Comparing GDP and population provides scale without reducing cross-border connections to a ratio between economies. [1]
The scale of the two economies
Russia recorded nominal GDP of 2,587.9 billion USD in 2025, compared with 306.2 in 2025 for Kazakhstan. The reference populations were 144 million (2025) and 20.84 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, Russia's nominal GDP was 8.45 times Kazakhstan's. These figures contextualise market size; they do not by themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or population extrapolations retain their labels in the table. No ratio is calculated when periods do not match. [4] [5] [6] [7]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
September 2026 diplomatic meeting
The Kazakh ministry documents a meeting between its minister and the Russian ambassador on 17 September. It is an update to the diplomatic channel following the 2025 statement. Its existence does not confirm every physical project or remove potential differences on third-party issues. The profile combines this dialogue with earlier economic data, retaining their dates and coverage. [2]
Observed economic exchange
In 2025, recorded goods trade between Russia and Kazakhstan totalled 27,787.5 million USD. Shipments from Russia to Kazakhstan were 19,539.1 million USD; those in the reverse direction were 8,248.3 million USD. Kazakhstan's shipments to the partner represented 10.41% of its goods exports to the world, using the same year and reporter. A single customs reporting source is used for both directions. This annual flow does not include all services activity or affiliates' local sales and is not added to accumulated investment capital. [3]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- 2025 partnership and alliance statement
Kazinform, reproduction of the bilateral document · Institutional source · Document: 2025-11-12 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Meeting of the Kazakh minister with the Russian ambassador
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Institutional source · Document: 2026-09-17 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual TOTAL X/M; 2025; reporter 398; partners 0,643
UN Comtrade / KAZ · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
IMF — World Economic Outlook · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
IMF — World Economic Outlook · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 27; 2025; reporter 398; partners 643; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / KAZ · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 30; 2025; reporter 398; partners 643; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / KAZ · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 84; 2025; reporter 398; partners 643; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / KAZ · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 85; 2025; reporter 398; partners 643; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / KAZ · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- HS2 87; 2025; reporter 398; partners 643; X/M; annual goods
UN Comtrade / KAZ · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / KAZ
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 27; 2025; reporter 398; partners 643; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / KAZ
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 84; 2025; reporter 398; partners 643; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / KAZ
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 85; 2025; reporter 398; partners 643; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / KAZ
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 87; 2025; reporter 398; partners 643; X/M; annual goods.
- UN Comtrade / KAZ
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · HS2 30; 2025; reporter 398; partners 643; X/M; annual goods.