Rating of regions of Kazakhstan,
I quarter 2023
Authors: Olzhas Khudaibergenov, Akku Bakisheva
Graphics: Kairat Akmurzin, Maksim Kosolapov
August 17, 2023
We present you a new edition of the Rating of Regions of Kazakhstan. This time, the activities of regional authorities for the first quarter of 2023 are assessed.
The methodology, data for calculation, number of indicators and the calculation itself have not changed. In the current release, 15 of 20 indicators have been updated, 11 of which are annual and 9 are quarterly.
The leading positions have undergone minor changes compared to the results for the 4th quarter of 2022: Atyrau region retained first place, scoring 79.62 points. Astana rose to second place from 4th place, scoring 75.5 points, and Almaty moved down to third place from second due to worsening indicators for juvenile crime, sufficiency of medical beds, and cases of bribery and abuse of power. Astana, in turn, significantly improved its indicators for infant mortality and overdue appeals to heads of local executive bodies on the "open dialogue" platform.
The leading positions have undergone minor changes compared to the results for the 4th quarter of 2022: Atyrau region retained first place, scoring 79.62 points. Astana rose to second place from 4th place, scoring 75.5 points, and Almaty moved down to third place from second due to worsening indicators for juvenile crime, sufficiency of medical beds, and cases of bribery and abuse of power. Astana, in turn, significantly improved its indicators for infant mortality and overdue appeals to heads of local executive bodies on the "open dialogue" platform.
In 4th place is Akmola Region, which improved its performance in reducing mortality due to a lack of safe drinking water, as well as increasing local government spending and investments in the non-extractive sector.
Pavlodar Region retained 5th place and, despite the deterioration of some indicators, improved its overall score by reducing mortality related to the lack of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Kostanay Region rose from last place to 6th, significantly improving key indicators such as the infant mortality rate, investments in the non-extractive sector, and the share of companies with foreign participation.
Mangystau Region also climbed from second to last to 7th place, improving its performance in infant mortality reduction, increasing the number of companies with foreign participation, and enhancing the quality of drinking water.
Karaganda Region experienced a sharp decline in its rankings, falling from 3rd to 9th place due to worsened indicators in juvenile crime and cases of bribery and abuse of power.
Aktobe Region also saw significant changes, dropping from 6th to 18th place, scoring 60.5 points.
Zhambyl, Karaganda, and North Kazakhstan regions fell less than one point short of the 7th place. Almaty Region, which finished last, saw a decline in almost all indicators except for three: investments in the non-extractive sector, the number of bribery and abuse of power cases, and the volume of services in the creative economy.
Pavlodar Region retained 5th place and, despite the deterioration of some indicators, improved its overall score by reducing mortality related to the lack of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Kostanay Region rose from last place to 6th, significantly improving key indicators such as the infant mortality rate, investments in the non-extractive sector, and the share of companies with foreign participation.
Mangystau Region also climbed from second to last to 7th place, improving its performance in infant mortality reduction, increasing the number of companies with foreign participation, and enhancing the quality of drinking water.
Karaganda Region experienced a sharp decline in its rankings, falling from 3rd to 9th place due to worsened indicators in juvenile crime and cases of bribery and abuse of power.
Aktobe Region also saw significant changes, dropping from 6th to 18th place, scoring 60.5 points.
Zhambyl, Karaganda, and North Kazakhstan regions fell less than one point short of the 7th place. Almaty Region, which finished last, saw a decline in almost all indicators except for three: investments in the non-extractive sector, the number of bribery and abuse of power cases, and the volume of services in the creative economy.
It is worth noting that in many regions there is a trend of deterioration in a number of indicators: the proportion of the population below the subsistence minimum, juvenile crime rate.
However, the indicator for the degree of depreciation of fixed assets on average across the country is significantly reduced, with the exception of a slight deterioration in the indicators of the Almaty region, Shymkent and Almaty.
However, the indicator for the degree of depreciation of fixed assets on average across the country is significantly reduced, with the exception of a slight deterioration in the indicators of the Almaty region, Shymkent and Almaty.