Inflation in Kazakhstan accelerates

©️ Turar Kazangapov

Tengrinews.kz - Kazakhstan's Bureau of National Statistics has released new data showing a rise in inflation across the country.

Monthly inflation in April

According to the bureau, the monthly consumer price index in April reached 1.2 percent, slightly down from 1.3 percent in March.

Paid services saw the highest price increase at 1.9 percent, followed by food products (1.1 percent) and non-food goods (0.6 percent).

Inflation over the year in Kazakhstan

Year-on-year, inflation accelerated to 10.7 percent in April, up from 10 percent in March.

Paid services rose the most, increasing by 15.7 percent. Prices for non-food goods grew by 8.9 percent, while food products climbed by 8.5 percent.

The highest annual inflation rates were recorded in Astana (13.8 percent), the Karaganda region (12.8 percent), and the Akmola region (11.8 percent). The Pavlodar region saw the lowest rate at 7.6 percent.

What became more expensive

Utility tariffs saw some of the steepest increases over the year:

Cold water: +89.1%
Water disposal: +23.5%
Heating: +18.7%
Waste collection: +16.2%
Hot water: +14.4%
Gas: +13.3%
Electricity: +11.7%
Maintenance fees for housing: +10.3%

Service sectors also experienced notable hikes:

Package holidays: +70.1%
Telecom services: +15.8%
Hairdressers and personal care: +15%
Housing rent: +15.3%
Sanatorium stays: +14.6%
Healthcare: +14.3%
Auto maintenance: +13.3%
Food service: +12.7%

Transportation costs rose significantly:

Rail travel: +24.7%
City bus fares: +11.1%
Airfares: +9.6%

Prices of various goods also climbed:

Jewelry and watches: +27.7%
New passenger cars: +27.1%
Audio-visual equipment: +23.6%
Carpets and floor coverings: +14.1%
Clothing and footwear: +11%
Large household appliances: +10.9%
Furniture and household items: +10.3%
Liquefied gas in cylinders: +23.6%
Firewood: +14.6%

Among food items, the biggest price hikes were recorded for:

Potatoes: +79%
Onions: +63.8%
Cabbage: +46.8%
Sunflower oil: +20.8%
Bottled water: +16.8%
Bananas: +16.7%
Tomatoes: +14.1%
Confectionery: +13.5%
Beef: +13.2%
Alcohol and tobacco: +12.7%
Soft drinks: +12%
Butter and pastries: +11.4%
Lamb, fish, and seafood: +11.1%
Fruit and vegetable juices: +10.6%
Cucumbers: +10%

Some products, however, saw price drops:

Buckwheat: -15.1%
Rice: -6.9%
Eggs: -5.6%

Updated inflation forecast

The National Bank of Kazakhstan recently revised its inflation outlook. Experts now expect inflation to reach 10.6 percent in 2025 (up from 8.7 percent), 9 percent in 2026 (up from 7 percent), and 6.1 percent in 2027 (up from 5.8 percent).

Previously, the National Statistical Bureau published inflation data for Kazakhstan for March.