How many kandas Kazakhstan accepted in 2025: statistics

Tengrinews.kz – In 2025, a total of 16,805 ethnic Kazakhs returned to their historical homeland and obtained kandas status.

The details were reported by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population.

Countries of origin

According to the ministry, most kandas who arrived in Kazakhstan came from Uzbekistan (44.5 percent) and China (44.1 percent). A further 4 percent arrived from Turkmenistan, 3 percent from Mongolia, 2.5 percent from Russia, and almost 2 percent from other countries.

As of 1 January 2026, more than half of ethnic migrants are of working age — 57.4 percent. Minors account for 34 percent, and pensioners for 8.6 percent.

Among kandas of working age, 15 percent have higher education, 27.5 percent secondary vocational education, just over half (51.2 percent) general secondary education, and 6.3 percent have no formal education.

The arriving ethnic Kazakhs have settled in various regions of the country.

Support measures

To resettle kandas, labour-deficit regions have been designated: Akmola, Abai, Kostanay, Pavlodar, Atyrau, West Kazakhstan, East Kazakhstan, and North Kazakhstan regions.

By the end of 2025, 2,309 kandas had been resettled to these regions, in line with the approved quota for 2025.

Kandas who have settled in the designated regions receive state support measures. These include a one-time relocation subsidy of 70 MCI (275,200 tenge) for the head of household and each family member. Rent and utility costs are also reimbursed monthly for one year in the amount of 15 to 30 MCI (from 59,000 to 118,000 tenge).

In 2025, government bodies provided various support measures to 1,834 kandas. A total of 428 people obtained permanent employment.

To increase the effectiveness of voluntary resettlement, the authorities have introduced support measures for employers who participate in relocating citizens to the northern regions of the country.

In addition, the state has implemented an economic mobility certificate for the purchase and construction of housing. Last year, 586 families received such certificates.

From 1 January 2026, the value of the economic mobility certificate has been increased to 1,625 MCI.

In total, since 1991, 1,164,800 ethnic Kazakhs have returned to Kazakhstan.