Tackling Corruption in Kazakhstan: The Latest Trends

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, anti-corruption efforts are a cornerstone of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s agenda. Court-ordered funds confiscated from corrupt officials have been used to finance public infrastructure: over the past three years, 150 billion tenge have been allocated to build 89 schools. On June 30, Tokayev signed a decree dissolving the country’s standalone Anti-Corruption Agency and transferring its functions to the National Security Committee (NSC), in what officials described as a move to modernize and streamline public administration. A recent analysis by Ranking.kz sheds light on the latest trends, identifying the institutions most often entangled in scandals and criminal investigations. Corruption Reaches Across All Levels Between January and May 2025, the Kazakh authorities charged 640 individuals with corruption-related offenses, representing a 3% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. However, the number of identified offenders rose to 464, up 4.3% from 445 last year. During the same period, 405 individuals were referred to the courts, an increase of 9.2% year-on-year. The largest number of defendants were employees of Akimats and their subordinate departments, totaling 66 individuals, though this figure is one-third lower than in 2024. In addition, 49 police officers, 16 employees from the Ministry of Finance, 11 from the Ministry of Agriculture, and 7 from the Criminal Executive Committee under the Ministry of Internal Affairs were brought to court. Notably, three regional akims were among those referred to court this year, compared to just one in the same period last year. One judge was also prosecuted. In total, 57 individuals from 12 different ministries faced judicial proceedings, up slightly from 54 last year. However, the data does not encompass all divisions; for instance, the figures for the Ministry of Internal Affairs include only selected departments. Bribery Remains the Most Common Offense Bribery continues to be the most prevalent form of corruption, with 167 recorded cases in the first five months of 2025, a 27.5% increase from the previous year. Internal affairs personnel were the most frequently detained for bribery (22 cases), followed by local government officials (13 cases) and employees of the Ministry of Finance (9 cases). In terms of the number of individuals involved, bribery accounted for 99 people. Corruption-related fraud followed, with 71 cases documented, rounding out the top three categories of offenses. Kazakhstan in Global Perspective Kazakhstan ranked 88th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International, scoring 40 out of 100. This position is shared with North Macedonia, Suriname, and Vietnam. The index, based on assessments from organizations such as the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, ranks countries from 0 (most corrupt) to 100 (least corrupt). According to the same report, 17% of Kazakhstani citizens who accessed public services in the previous year admitted to paying bribes. By way of comparison, in Denmark and Finland, the top-ranked countries, only 1% of citizens reported such experiences. Within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Kazakhstan ranks third, behind Armenia (63rd) and Moldova (77th)....

Turkmenistan Ranked Worst in Central Asia in 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index

Turkmenistan has once again ranked among the world's most corrupt countries, placing last in Central Asia in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2024.  According to the index, Turkmenistan ranked 165th out of 180 countries, scoring 17 out of 100 points. This marks a decline from the previous year, when the country scored 18 points and was ranked 170th.  Among other Central Asian nations, Tajikistan ranked 164th with 19 points, while Kyrgyzstan placed 146th with 25 points. Uzbekistan ranked 121st with 32 points, and Kazakhstan was the highest-ranked in the region at 88th place with 40 points. Russia, with 22 points, was ranked 154th.  The report highlights that authoritarianism and weak judicial systems remain key drivers of corruption in Central Asia. Denmark, Finland, Singapore, New Zealand, and Luxembourg topped the index as the least corrupt countries. Meanwhile, Yemen, Syria, Venezuela, Somalia, and South Sudan were ranked among the most corrupt, with South Sudan finishing last at 180th place. Transparency International warns that corruption remains a significant global threat, even in efforts to combat climate change. According to the organization, corrupt practices hinder emissions reductions, slow adaptation to climate change, and severely impact sustainable development. "While 32 countries have significantly reduced corruption since 2012, in 148 nations the situation has either remained unchanged or worsened. The global average remains at 43 points, and more than two-thirds of countries score below 50. As a result, billions of people continue to live in environments where corruption undermines their rights and quality of life," Transparency International stated in its report.