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Marriage Trends in Kazakhstan: What Young People Value Most

The Research Center “Youth” has published a survey examining the perspectives of young Kazakhs on marriage and divorce. Ranking.kz analysts analyzed the main points of this research, shedding light on the preferences and values of the younger generation in Kazakhstan. According to the survey, 78% of respondents view formal marriage registration as essential, while only 15% accept civil unions. When selecting a life partner, key considerations included age (53.9%), appearance (45.4%), and nationality (39.4%). Notably, factors such as mutual love and moral values were cited by fewer than 1% of participants. Gender-Based Preferences Women prioritized their partner's age, financial stability (30.6%), career prospects (22.9%), and even gender (18.7%). Men, meanwhile, focused on their partner's physical attractiveness and youth but also emphasized the social status of the future spouse's family (17.1%) and lineage (24.6%). Trends in Marriage and Divorce Kazakhstan has seen a decline in its marriage rate, dropping from 9.9 marriages per 1,000 people in 2013 to 5.7 in the first half of 2024. Analysts attribute this to the smaller generation born between 1995 and 2000, which tends to marry later in life. The average age at first marriage has increased from 26.7 years in 2003 to 27.8 years for men in 2023, and from 23.9 years to 25.2 years for women. Divorce rates have fluctuated over the past 20 years, correlating with marriage statistics. Between 2013 and 2018, over 51,000 divorces were registered annually. However, this number dropped to 40,200 in 2023, before rising again in the first half of 2024 - 2.3 times higher than during the same period in 2023. Causes of Divorce The survey identified adultery (61%), physical violence (51%), and substance abuse (48%) as the leading causes of divorce. Women were more likely to cite physical (62.1%) and psychological (37.7%) violence, as well as gambling addiction (37.1%). Men highlighted personality incompatibility (36%) and lack of love (30.2%). The Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development (KIPD) corroborated these findings, adding a lack of mutual understanding (24%), interference from parents (10.4%), infertility (11%), and cohabitation with relatives (5.6%) as additional factors. Despite these challenges, 14% of respondents stated that divorce is unacceptable under any circumstances.

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Celebrating Global Family Day: Honoring Uzbek and Kazakh Traditions That Unite Generations

Every year, January 1 marks Global Family Day, an idea first introduced in 1997, when the United Nations launched the International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. By 1999, the had UN invited its members to dedicate the first day of the year to developing strategies for peace, and since then this day has been observed annually as a reminder of the role families play in fostering a peaceful and compassionate world. This year, The Times of Central Asia takes a closer look at family customs in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, nations where family values are deeply woven into the fabric of life. In Uzbekistan, family is at the heart of society. Respect for elders and care for the young are not just taught — they are lived and celebrated daily. Parents and children share close relationships, turning to one another for advice and support. [caption id="attachment_27179" align="aligncenter" width="1217"] Chimildiq canopy; image: Facebook Discover Kashkadarya[/caption] Traditions add a rich layer to these connections, keeping families united. Weddings, for example, are deeply symbolic. One notable custom is the Chimildiq, a ceremonial canopy for newlyweds which marks the start of their life together and serves as a space for blessings and well-wishes for their future. Another beloved tradition is the Beshik tuyi, a joyous celebration of a baby’s first cradle wherein relatives and neighbors come together to share in the happiness of welcoming a new life, underscoring the communal nature of Uzbek culture. “As an Uzbek woman, I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty and meaning behind our customs,” Rohila Mullayeva told TCA. The mother-in-law to three brides, for more than 20 years Mullayeva has been serving as a kayvoni, one appointed by women to preside over table work at weddings and other ceremonies. “They’re not just rituals but expressions of love, respect, and hope for the future,” she said. “Take Chimildiq, for instance - a special moment for young couples starting their journey together. One of the rituals in the ceremony is when the bride and groom give each other honey on their fingers. This is a sweet symbol of the joyful moments they hope to share in their life ahead. Another part of the ceremony is both meaningful and playful — when the groom attaches boiled eggs his bride’s dress. This gesture is a heartfelt wish for the couple to have many children. “Then there’s the Beshik tuyi, the cradle ceremony, which is one of the most cherished traditions in our culture. When a bride gives birth to her first child, she is honored in a beautiful custom called Sallabandon, which is part of Beshik tuyi. An elderly grandmother, someone respected for having a big family, places a salla, a headdress wrapped in a special cloth, on the bride’s head,” Mullayeva explained. “During this ceremony, a kurpacha — a soft, colorful quilt — is placed under the bride’s feet, a gesture of respect and care. The meaning behind Sallabandon is deeply symbolic; it...

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ESPN’s Laura Sanko Dives into Kazakh Culture, Inspired by UFC’s Shavkat Rakhmonov

American TV host and ESPN journalist Laura Sanko, known for her admiration of Kazakh UFC fighter Shavkat Rakhmonov, has shared her journey of learning the Kazakh language. Sanko acknowledged that the process has been challenging but expressed enthusiasm for mastering new words and phrases. “It’s difficult. You would laugh if you saw me. I sit in my hotel room, watch YouTube videos, and try to repeat after them. When I think I’ve succeeded, I send an audio file to Sayat Abdrakhmanov, Shavkat Rakhmonov's manager, asking him to check. Then he translates my phrases into Kazakh, and I listen to them slowly, over and over,” she revealed during an interview with Schrödinger's Sport. Despite her dedication, Sanko modestly assessed her progress, emphasizing the significant effort required to learn Kazakh. “I learned that ‘sәlemetsiz be’ means ‘hello.’ I picked that up through YouTube. I wanted to prepare for a simple conversation, but I’m far from that. Kazakh is very difficult for Americans. It requires using deep throat muscles, while English relies on more frontal sounds. It’s hard for us to get it right,” she explained. Sanko has long been a familiar name among martial arts fans in Kazakhstan. She began following Rakhmonov’s career even before his debut in the UFC. Her admiration for the fighter has occasionally sparked rumors of romantic interest, but Sanko maintains that her fascination is purely professional. Sanko’s admiration for Rakhmonov extends beyond his fighting skills to Kazakhstan's culture. She has made public appearances in traditional Kazakh attire, such as during a UFC weigh-in. Ahead of Rakhmonov’s most recent fight, she appeared in a traditional Kazakh outfit and, after his seventh consecutive UFC victory, delivered a speech in Kazakh - a gesture widely appreciated by Kazakhstani fans. Shavkat Rakhmonov is one of Kazakhstan's most celebrated MMA athletes. Currently ranked No. 2 in the welterweight division, Rakhmonov remains undefeated with a 19-0 record.

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Gender Expectations in Kazakhstan: How Boys and Girls are Raised Differently

From childhood, boys and girls in Kazakhstan are raised with clearly defined roles based on gender stereotypes. These attitudes are instilled through the family, media, and educational system, creating pressure on children to conform to specific expectations. Boys are prepared for leadership and career success, while girls are prepared for family life and the role of model kelinka (daughter-in-law). The UNDP Analytical Report (2024) emphasizes that patriarchal attitudes still persist in Kazakhstan. These stereotypes are transmitted through key institutions of socialization, including the family, educational institutions, and the media, and shape the perception of gender roles as strictly fixed. Expectations for boys and girls are established from an early age. For boys, parents often buy cars, construction sets, and tool kits, reinforcing the idea that a man is a protector, provider, and builder. Boys are expected to do well in school and go to university. The phrase "You are a man; you must be strong" often defines their upbringing. It is believed that a boy should be raised to be independent and able to earn money. Daniyar, 20, student from Almaty: "When I was a teenager, I was constantly told that I should be responsible and strong. Crying or showing weakness was considered a shame. I couldn't even express my emotions freely. I think this had a big impact on my worldview. Madiyar, 22, artist: "Like many boys, I faced the belief that creativity was not for men. Until I achieved some success, my parents constantly discouraged me, not because it didn't seem lucrative, but simply because I'm a man." Girls are given dolls, toy kitchens, and dishes from an early age to instill domestic skills. Parents often say: "You must learn to cook to be a good wife.” Girls are taught to be obedient, modest and caring. Family conversations often boil down to the fact that a girl should marry and become an exemplary kelinka, responsible for caring for her husband, his parents, and their children. Aizhan, 25, Taraz: "When I was a child, my brother could do whatever he wanted - go out, play with friends, but I was constantly told: "Wash the dishes" or "Learn to cook, who will marry you otherwise?". No one talked about my education, it was considered not as important as being able to bake baursaks (a Kazakh sweet bread).” Karima, 26, a teacher from Astana: "In our family, education for girls was not considered a priority. I was often told: "You will get married, why do you need higher education?" I had to fight this stereotype to go to university.” Lera, 21, student, Astana: "I didn't really face any problem in choosing a profession. My parents encouraged my choice to enroll in physics. However, at the university, gender inequality is rampant. Some professors are always saying that math is not for women or that we came here to find husbands. I think that's a big problem, too." In addition to parental guidance, traditional Kazakh gender roles are reinforced through the media. Traditional...

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“Success is Possible in Kazakhstan”: An Interview with Fashion Brand Qazaq Republic

Qazaq Republic has become a popular brand among young people in Kazakhstan. The brand has become a success story for entrepreneurship within Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Yermek Kazym, co-founder and former CEO, to learn more about the brand, its message, and how it achieved its success. TCA: Qazaq Republic celebrates Kazakhstan’s heritage through fashion. What inspired the brand's creation, and what is its story? When the founder of Qazaq Republic, Saken Joldas, was studying in the US, he would always bring gifts from Kazakhstan for his friends. But the available options were always uninspiring. This led him to dream about creating something more appealing to showcase modern Kazakhstan's vibrant youth culture and style. In 2016, when the mayor of Almaty announced a competition to design a new city logo, Saken shared his designs with the public. He created digital versions of the design to print on mugs and t-shirts and posted them on Facebook. The response from the community was incredible—people loved the concept and showed great interest in purchasing the items. That’s how the idea for the brand began to take form, starting right in his kitchen. The first big order came from the Duty-Free store at Almaty Airport. They requested around 30 t-shirts to sell. As the business grew, Qazaq Republic was given space at the biggest toy and bookstore in Almaty, Meloman. With the rise in sales, we decided to open QR’s very first store. When designing it, we even considered adding a coffee shop in case the store didn’t work out. QR’s first store opened in November 2019 on 47 Mametova street, but then the pandemic hit. While malls were closing, our store had the advantage of being a standalone store. To help people feel better during difficult times, we created unique cotton masks with the phrase “Bari jaqsy bolady” (Everything will be alright). Instead of selling them, we gave them free of charge with orders over 5,000 tenge. Customers started placing smaller orders just to get these masks, giving us a strong sense of support and confidence that we were on the right track. TCA: Could you walk us through the creative process of designing a typical Qazaq Republic collection? We’ve built a solid foundation now. People used to think we were just buying ready-made items and putting our logo on them, but that's not the case. Like global brands such as Nike and Ikea, we design our products in Kazakhstan while outsourcing production and manufacturing to trusted partner factories in Turkey and China. We oversee every detail, from creating labels and designs to developing patterns, ensuring complete control over the process. This approach allows us to concentrate more on perfecting our products. The brand's uniqueness lies in creating products that make everyday life comfortable and functional while staying modern and high-quality. TCA: Who is the target audience for Qazaq Republic, and how has it evolved since the brand’s inception? When we first launched our brand, we assumed...

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English Proficiency Index: Kazakhstan Still Among Least Fluent Countries

Kazakhstan ranks 103rd out of 116 countries in the 2024 EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), improving by just one position from the previous year. Despite this slight progress, the country remains in the group of nations with very low English proficiency, according to Ranking.kz analysts. Leading the global rankings was the Netherlands, scoring 636 out of 700 points, followed by Norway, Singapore, Sweden, and Croatia. In the Eurasia region, Belarus and Russia performed best, achieving scores of 539 and 532 respectively, while Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan showed comparatively low results. Regional and Historical Context In Kazakhstan, the highest proficiency scores were recorded in Almaty (476 points) and the Almaty region (475 points), with Astana, Akmola, Kostanai, and Pavlodar regions also performing relatively well. Since Kazakhstan’s first appearance in the EF EPI rankings in 2011, where it ranked last among 44 participants, little progress has been made. Current scores remain similar to those recorded over a decade ago. Globally, English remains the most widely spoken language, with over 1.5 billion speakers in 2024, according to Ethnologue. The Cost of Learning English in Kazakhstan English education costs in Kazakhstan vary widely depending on the method of instruction: Individual lessons: Average 96,000 KZT ($182) for a course of 12 sessions. Private tutors: Range from 15,300 KZT ($29) to 54,000 KZT ($102) per month. Online tutors: Cost between 48,000 and 96,000 KZT ($91 to $182) monthly. AI-assisted classes: Start at 5,000 KZT ($9.5) and go up to 25,000 KZT ($47), depending on the number of assignments. Group lessons: Range from 36,000 KZT ($68) to 64,000 KZT ($121) for 12 lessons. In major cities, free courses and conversation clubs organized by libraries and language centers provide alternative learning opportunities. The low level of English proficiency in Kazakhstan continues to be a pressing issue, requiring systematic reforms. Analysts emphasize that improving the situation will demand enhanced educational programs, more accessible learning opportunities, and greater public engagement in mastering the language.