🇰🇿Kazakhstan Political Stability: 29.7/100

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world, spanning 2,700,000 square kilometers across both Europe and Asia. It features diverse terrain, including the vast Kazakh Steppe, mountains, and significant bodies of water like the Caspian Sea and Lake Balkhash. The country shares borders with Russia, Uzbekistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, making it a key location in Central Asia.

Kazakhstan has a population of approximately 20 million as of November 2023, with ethnic Kazakhs making up 71.3% and ethnic Russians 14.6%. The country is officially bilingual, with Kazakh as the state language and Russian as an official language, widely used in business and government. The population is predominantly Muslim (69.3%), followed by Eastern Orthodox Christianity (17.2%).

World Bank governance: rule of law 25th percentile, corruption control 33rd percentile, political stability 23rd percentile.

Kazakhstan's strongest governance dimension is Regulatory Quality at 42/100, placing it in the lower half globally. This suggests the government can formulate and implement sound regulations that support private sector development.

The weakest dimension is Voice & Accountability at 16/100. Limited voice and accountability suggests constraints on citizen participation, expression, or media freedom.

A notable 26-point gap between Regulatory Quality and Voice & Accountability reveals uneven governance. Some institutions function well while others lag significantly. Travelers should be aware that the quality of government services and protections may vary depending on the context.

Weak governance indicators for Kazakhstan mean travelers should exercise heightened caution. Government services may be limited or unreliable, corruption can affect interactions with officials, and legal protections may not function as expected. Thorough preparation and situational awareness are essential.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Kazakhstan as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.