The availability of medical personnel in Kazakhstan continues to decline amid rapid population growth and mounting pressure on the healthcare system, particularly in the country’s regions, according to a study published by the analytical portal Ranking.kz.
Analysts say the shortage of doctors and mid-level medical staff is becoming a key structural problem facing Kazakhstan’s healthcare sector, affecting access to treatment, timely diagnosis, and the overall quality of medical services.
As of the first quarter of 2026, Kazakhstan had slightly more than 57,000 doctors. While the total number has remained almost unchanged compared to the previous year, the number of physicians per capita has continued to fall.
In the first quarter of 2025, Kazakhstan had 28.2 doctors per 10,000 residents. A year later, that figure had declined to 27.9.
Analysts attribute the decline mainly to rapid population growth, while the number of medical specialists has remained largely stagnant. Another major issue is the sharp regional imbalance in healthcare staffing. Only six of Kazakhstan’s 20 regions have doctor-to-population ratios above the national average.
The highest concentration of physicians was recorded in Astana, with 41.8 doctors per 10,000 residents, roughly 50% above the national average. Almaty followed with 36.7 doctors per 10,000 people, while the Karaganda Region reported 34.7.
At the other end of the scale is the Mangystau region, with only 20.2 doctors per 10,000 residents. Low staffing levels were also recorded in the Zhambyl, Kostanay, and Akmola regions.
By international standards, Kazakhstan lags significantly behind several neighboring countries in physician availability. According to Ranking.kz, Belarus has 47.2 doctors per 10,000 residents, Russia has 51.1, and Georgia has 56.4. In some European countries, the figure exceeds 60 doctors per 10,000 people.
The staffing problem extends beyond physicians and also affects mid-level medical personnel, including nurses, paramedics, midwives, and other healthcare workers.
In the first quarter of 2026, the number of mid-level medical workers fell from 77.9 to 76 per 10,000 residents, representing a 2.4% decline compared to the previous year.
The figures point to a widening gap between population growth and staffing capacity, echoing the broader medical personnel shortage that The Times of Central Asia previously reported. Major cities continue to attract more doctors, while many regions face weaker access to care, longer waiting times, and heavier workloads.
