Economic Activities in Kazakhstan: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary

Kazakhstan, with a population of about 20.8 million (as of 2025), is ranked 64th in the world. Located in Central Asia, it covers a total area of 2,724,900 square kilometers, ranking 9th globally, just behind Argentina.

As of 2025, Kazakhstan’s economy is the largest in Central Asia, with a GDP of about $306.2 billion. Its GDP per capita is approximately $14,692 (as of 2025). (World Bank)

Despite facing challenges, Kazakhstan continues to show resilience in its economy, with potential for growth and development in the coming years.

Kazakhstan Economic Structure & Sector Analysis

• Primary activities: ~3.7% of GDP.
• Secondary activities: ~32.3% of GDP.
• Tertiary activities: ~57.7% of GDP.

Kazakhstan economy by sector

Share of GDP, 2025, compared with the world average

Sector shares as of 2025. (World Bank)

Primary Sector of Kazakhstan

With 79.19% of the country’s land dedicated to agriculture, Kazakhstan produces a variety of crops and animal products. The main agricultural products include wheat, milk, potatoes, barley, watermelons, sunflower seeds, cantaloupes/melons, onions, maize, and linseed.

Agriculture contributes around 3.7% to the GDP (as of 2025), but it is still an important sector for the country’s economy. The vast array of agricultural products sustains the sector and provides food security and employment opportunities for the population.

The diverse geological landscape of the country has led to abundant natural resources. Major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, and various other minerals like copper, gold, and uranium drive the economy, making it a significant player in the global primary sector.As of 2024, Kazakhstan produces roughly 1.9 million barrels of oil per day, ranking among the world’s top 15 producers, supported by the major Tengiz, Kashagan, and Karachaganak fields. (CIA World Factbook, archived)As of 2024, Kazakhstan produced roughly 59 billion cubic meters of natural gas, ranking it among the world’s significant producers. (CIA World Factbook, archived)

Secondary Sector of Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, the main industrial products include oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, copper, gold, silver, uranium, and more. Additionally, the country produces tractors, electric motors, construction materials, and agricultural machinery.Manufactures in Kazakhstan’s total exports in 2023 account for only 18.98%, indicating their relatively lower significance in the country’s export economy.

Tertiary sector of Kazakhstan

The tertiary sector in Kazakhstan encompasses a wide range of services where individuals provide knowledge and time to enhance productivity and meet needs. This sector includes intangible goods like advice, expertise, and attention, catering to both consumers and businesses. Key tertiary activities in Kazakhstan are healthcare and medical care, education and training, banking and finance, communication and information exchange, tourism and hospitality, transportation and logistics, and telecommunications. These services help drive the country’s economy and meet the diverse needs of its population.Of particular importance, Kazakhstan’s tourism industry contributes significantly to its annual GDP. As of 2024, Kazakhstan welcomed about 15.3 million foreign visitors (roughly 10.4 million of whom stayed overnight as tourists), with popular destinations like Almaty and Astana attracting visitors with their rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. (Kazinform) The government recognizes the sector’s importance and actively promotes sustainable tourism development.Another example of tertiary economic activity is the mobile cellular economic sector, which has approximately 25 million subscriptions and supports technological growth and connectivity across industries.

Military Activities and Economic Sectors of Kazakhstan

In the primary sector, resources are extracted for military use, like metals for weapons. The secondary sector involves manufacturing military equipment, such as tanks and aircraft. The tertiary sector includes services provided by the military, like training and logistics. The quaternary sector focuses on military research and development, while the quinary sector deals with high-level decision-making and strategy.

As of 2024, Kazakhstan’s military expenditure was about 0.43% of GDP. The active military force consists of roughly 39,000 personnel, or about 1.9 active military members for every 1,000 people in the population. (CIA World Factbook, archived)

Biggest company in Kazakhstan

Which is the biggest company in Kazakhstan? It’s Kaspi.kz JSC (Kaspi.kz Joint Stock Company), with a market value of about $14.7 billion (as of 2025). (CompaniesMarketCap) This company operates in the diversified financials industry, part of the tertiary sector. Kaspi.kz was founded in 2007 and has grown to be a key player in Kazakhstan’s economy.

International Trade of Kazakhstan

Import Activities of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s imports, equal to 26.33% of GDP, help meet domestic demand and support economic growth.Kazakhstan’s key import activities include garments, cars, broadcasting equipment, plastic products, and packaged medicine. The country’s top import partners are Russia (29%), China (28%), Germany (5%), South Korea (4%), and Turkey (3%).

Exports Activities of Kazakhstan

As of 2024, Kazakhstan’s total goods exports amounted to roughly $81 billion, representing about 28% of its GDP. Exports remain a major driver of the country’s economic growth and stability. (World’s Top Exports)Kazakhstan’s export activities primarily involve crude petroleum, gold, refined copper, iron alloys, and radioactive chemicals. As of 2024, its key export partners include Italy (about 23%), China (about 18%), Russia (about 12%), the Netherlands, and France.

Kazakhstan economy challenges in 2024

Kazakhstan, an oil and gas giant, faces challenges in 2024. Despite international investment, the domestic economy struggles post-COVID-19. Reforms aim to boost business confidence, but state controls and Russian influence hinder growth and autonomy.

Sources

• World Bank Data
• IMF Kazakhstan
• UN Comtrade Plus: Trade Flow
• SIPRI Military Expenditure Database

Last updated: October 2026