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A Dozen Injured in 100-Car Accident in Winter Weather in Kazakhstan

Nearly 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pile-up on a highway while driving in blizzard conditions in northern Kazakhstan on Friday, according to authorities. About a dozen people were injured. The accident happened on the Astana-Petropavlovsk route after escorts from the police and KazAvtoZhol, the government agency that oversees the country’s highways, had organized the movement of traffic toward the capital Astana, KazAvtoZhol said on Telegram. Traffic had been restricted for all vehicles early in the morning after warnings of deteriorating weather, including heavy snowfall, blizzard, high wind, poor visibility and ice. “However, according to preliminary data, due to drivers failing to comply with the speed limit and safe distance, a mass collision involving approximately 95 vehicles occurred” in the early afternoon near the village of Zhanatalap, the highway agency said. Videos of the accident showed multiple vehicles jammed up against each other while snow swirls around, as well as a traveler wrapped in a blanket climbing into an evacuation vehicle. A metal road divider was removed to let emergency responders clear the road more easily. Authorities began towing some vehicles involved in the pile-up, while other the drivers of other cars were able to leave on their own. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Telegram that it also helped with rescues and evacuations and that a total of 152 people and 68 units of equipment were involved in the operations. Some 71 people, including eight children, were evacuated, taken to a staging area and provided with hot meals, the ministry said. Another 10 people were hospitalized. The highway agency said a total of 12 people were injured. Authorities urged motorists to follow announcements about weather conditions and traffic restrictions on highway, and adjust travel plans accordingly.

Social protection Demographics Population Society Birthrate

Uzbekistan Continues to Lead Central Asian Fertility Rates

Four out of the five Central Asian countries are experiencing fertility declines, with the exception being Uzbekistan, where the total fertility rate (TFR) - the average number of children born to one woman in her lifetime - continues to rise. According to analytical data from Finprom.kz, in 2023, Uzbekistan's TFR was 3.4, the highest in the region. Tajikistan followed with a ratio of 3.1, Kazakhstan at 3.0, and Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan at 2.7 each. In a global context, Central Asia's fertility rates are still higher than average. According to OurWorldinData, the world TFR in 2023 was 2.3. By comparison, countries like the U.S., India, and China had rates between 1.2 and 2.2, while in some African countries such as Somalia or Niger, TFR exceeded 6. In absolute numbers, Uzbekistan led the region in births with 962,000 newborns in 2023 - a 14.3% increase from 2020. Kazakhstan ranked second with 388,400 births, although its birth rate continued to decline after a pandemic-era baby boom. The highest TFR per 1,000 people was also recorded in Uzbekistan (26.4), followed by Tajikistan (24.6) and Kazakhstan (19.5), where births have fallen for the second consecutive year. Despite declining fertility rates, Central Asia's population is growing steadily. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) projects the region's population to reach 80 million in 2025, marking a 2.2 million increase since 2020. Uzbekistan remains the most populous nation, accounting for 45.2% of the region's total population at 36.9 million, followed by Kazakhstan (20.3 million), Turkmenistan (8.1 million), and Kyrgyzstan (8.9 million). Population growth in the region is driven by natural increases, with annual rates of 2.5% in Uzbekistan, 1.9% in Tajikistan, 1.5% in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, and 1.4% in Kyrgyzstan. These figures reflect stable demographic dynamics across Central Asia.

Family Social Society Quality of Life statistics

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.

Unemployment Society CIS statistics Social protection

Global Ranking: Kazakhstan Has the Third-Highest Unemployment Rate in Eurasia

In the global ranking of unemployment rates for 2024, prepared by ILOSTAT, Kazakhstan placed 104th out of 187 countries with an unemployment rate of 4.8%. According to analysts from Energyprom.kz, the worst unemployment rates were recorded in Eswatini (34.4%), South Africa (33.2%), and Djibouti (25.9%), while Qatar boasted the lowest rate globally at 0.1%. In the Eurasia region Kazakhstan ranked third highest for unemployment, ahead of only Tajikistan (11.6%) and Azerbaijan (5.6%). The best performers in the region are Moldova (1.4%), Russia (2.5%), and Kyrgyzstan (3.3%). For context, the global average unemployment rate stood at 5%, with the Europe and Central Asia region slightly higher at 5.5%. The Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan (BNS) reported that by the end of Q3 2024, the country had 448,600 unemployed individuals - 0.6% fewer than during the same period in 2023. The official unemployment rate was 4.6%, with parity between urban and rural areas. Family circumstances (100,200 cases), voluntary resignations (95,600 cases), and difficulties in finding employment (92,200 cases) were identified as the primary causes of unemployment. In terms of job-seeking durations: 127,500 individuals searched for less than a month. 113,300 sought work for one to three months. 124,600 for three to six months. 36,800 for six months to a year. 46,000 were unemployed for over a year. A small fraction of the unemployed (332 individuals) had already initiated entrepreneurial ventures or secured employment arrangements.

Migration Society public opinion Social service

Public Opinion Survey: One in Five Kazakhs Considering Emigrating

One in five Kazakhstanis is contemplating leaving the country, citing low income and a lack of confidence in the future as the primary reasons, according to a survey by the Bureau of Express Monitoring of Public Opinion DEMOSCOPE. The study, titled “Attitude of Kazakhstanis to the Problem of Brain Drain,” was conducted in partnership with the MediaNet International Journalism Center, PAPERLAB research center, and supported by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Migration Sentiment in Numbers The survey revealed that: 21% of respondents are considering emigration. 6.9% intend to leave within the next two to three years. 5.6% wish to move but lack the means to do so. 8.4% are open to moving under certain conditions. However, the majority - 78.5% - do not plan to emigrate in the foreseeable future. Young and middle-aged respondents were the most interested in moving abroad. Among 18-29-year-olds, a quarter said that they wanted to emigrate, while nearly 30% of those in their 30s are considering relocation. Reasons for Leaving The top motivations for emigration included: Higher wages (24.5%) Better prospects for themselves and their children (23.9%) Access to better jobs (14%) Opportunities for quality education (11.7%) Self-development (13.2%) Improved healthcare services (4.9%) Younger respondents were more focused on education and self-development, while older individuals prioritized long-term opportunities. Emigration Trends and Impacts Despite growing migration sentiments, official data for the first three quarters of 2024 show a positive migration balance. Over 20,000 people moved to Kazakhstan, while 10,200 emigrated. However, the qualitative characteristics of migration raise concerns. Many who leave are skilled professionals, including engineers, economists, teachers, and lawyers. A detailed analysis of migration patterns highlights this trend. Popular Destinations and Public Opinion The most desired emigration destinations are: United States (7.7%) Russia (6.2%) European countries (5.1%) Turkey (4.6%) Canada (2.6%) However, 35% of respondents had no specific preference for a destination. Societal attitudes toward emigration remain largely understanding, with 63.3% expressing support for those who choose to leave. Only 11.4% voiced disapproval. Looking ahead, 39% of respondents anticipate a rise in the outflow of skilled workers, while 21.7% predict an increase in immigration to Kazakhstan. Addressing the Brain Drain Experts stress that mitigating the brain drain will require a systematic approach, including: Improving living standards. Enhancing access to quality education and healthcare. Ensuring security and economic stability. The survey, conducted across 17 regions of Kazakhstan, included 1,100 participants. The margin of error does not exceed 3% with a 95% confidence level.

Afghanistan Government Society humanitarian aid

Uzbekistan Sends Food and Medicine to Afghanistan

Uzbekistan has delivered humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. The aid package includes food and medicines, with nine wagons of “Salomatlik” (Health) medical and sanitary products en route to the country. From December 25 to 30, residents of Afghanistan’s Balkh region will receive free medical examinations conducted by qualified Uzbek doctors. This humanitarian initiative follows a request for medical assistance made during a meeting between the governments of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. To further strengthen bilateral ties, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Abibek Usmanov, met with Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Afghanistan's Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, in Kabul on December 24. During the meeting, Usmanov underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation between the two countries across various sectors. He highlighted Uzbekistan’s willingness to deepen economic and trade relations, emphasizing the interest of Uzbek businesses in projects such as establishing health centers, exporting medicines, constructing cement plants, and engaging in coal trade.