What People in Kazakhstan Think of Brain Drain

Demographic section

Which language do you prefer for answering the questions – Kazakh or Russian?

Kazakh
554
(50.4%)
Russian
546
(49.6%)

Sex (check by yourself)

Male
522
(47.4%)
Female
578
(52.6%)

How old are you? Write the reply down.
If the age is 18 years and above, a survey is conducted. If younger, the survey is not conducted.

18-29
252
(22.9%)
30-39
257
(23.4%)
40-49
203
(18.5%)
50-59
173
(15.8%)
60+
214
(19.5%)

Do you live in a city or a village?(Choose one option)

City
738
(67%)
Village
357
(32.4%)
I don’t want to answer (DO NOT READ IT OUT)
6
(0.5%)

What province/region is it? (Choose one option)

Astana
83
(7.5%)
Almaty city
151
(13.7%)
Akmola region
48
(4.3%)
Aktobe region
50
(4.6%)
Almaty region
99
(9%)
Atyrau region
38
(3.5%)
West Kazakhstan region
28
(2.6%)
Zhambyl region
52
(4.7%)
Karaganda region
56
(5.1%)
Kostanay region
36
(3.2%)
Kyzylorda region
46
(4.2%)
Mangystau region
44
(4%)
Turkestan region
89
(8.1%)
Pavlodar region
29
(2.6%)
North Kazakhstan region
32
(2.9%)
East Kazakhstan region
48
(4.4%)
Shymkent
80
(7.3%)
Abay region
35
(3.2%)
Zhetysu region
30
(2.7%)
Ulytau region
10
(0.9%)
I don’t want to answer (DO NOT READ IT OUT)
17
(1.6%)

What is your ethnicity?

Kazakh
751
(68.3%)
Russian
169
(15.3%)
Other nationality
170
(15.4%)
I don’t want to answer (DO NOT READ IT OUT)
10
(0.9%)

What language do you mostly speak at home?

In Kazakh
580
(52.7%)
In Russian
319
(29%)
In Kazakh and Russian languages equally
149
(13.6%)
Other
46
(4.1%)
I don’t want to answer (DO NOT READ IT OUT)
7
(0.6%)

What is the type of your main employment? (Choose one answer)

Unemployed
120
(10.9%)
Self-employed, I provide personal services
103
(9.4%)
Entrepreneur, own business
78
(7.1%)
Employee in the private sector
246
(22.3%)
Employee in the public or budgetary sphere
205
(18.6%)
Retired
178
(16.2%)
Student
58
(5.3%)
Housewife / do housework
91
(8.2%)
Other
9
(0.9%)
I don’t want to answer (DO NOT READ IT OUT)
12
(0.1%)

Main section

1. How long have you been living in Kazakhstan?

Since birth
921
(83.7%)
More than 20 years
103
(9.3%)
10 to 20 years
37
(3.4%)
5 to 10 years
17
(1.5%)
Less than 5 years
21
(1.9%)
Difficult to answer/I don’t want to answer (DO NOT READ OUT)
2
(0.2%)

Do you think our country is moving in the right or wrong direction?

Mostly in the right direction
587
(53.3%)
Mostly in the wrong direction
265
(24.1%)
Difficult to answer (DO NOT READ OUT)
248
(22.6%)

In your opinion, is the current government successfully addressing the country’s pressing social and economic issues?

Completely successful
113
(10.3%)
Mostly successful
400
(36.4%)
Mostly unsuccessful
268
(24.3%)
Completely unsuccessful
165
(15%)
Difficult to answer (DO NOT READ OUT)
153
(14%)

Let’s talk about migration sentiments and the “brain drain” issue in Kazakhstan. In the last 2 or 3 years, have you had friends, colleagues, or acquaintances who have moved abroad for permanent residence? (Choose one answer)

Yes, a lot
169
(15.4%)
Yes, a few
336
(30.5%)
No, none
587
(53.4%)
Difficult to answer (DO NOT READ OUT)
8
(0.7%)

How do you feel about people in Kazakhstan who have moved abroad – more understanding or more judgmental? (Choose one answer)

Mostly understanding
697
(63.3%)
Mostly judgmental
125
(11.4%)
Indifferent
231
(21%)
Difficult to answer (DO NOT READ OUT)
47
(4.3%)

Are you personally considering relocating from Kazakhstan within the next 2 or 3 years?

Yes, I plan to leave
76
(6.9%)
I would like to, but currently have no opportunity
61
(5.6%)
Not sure yet, but I might consider it under certain conditions
93
(8.4%)
Not considering – Skip to question 9
864
(78.5%)
Difficult to answer (DO NOT READ OUT)
6
(0.6%)

What are the main reasons you are planning or considering relocating? (Do not read out options, select responses mentioned from the list)

To find a better job
33
(14%)
To have a higher salary/income
58
(24.5%)
For professional growth opportunities
10
(4.4%)
To receive quality education
28
(11.7%)
For better conditions for personal development
31
(13.2%)
To start a business/improve business conditions
2
(0.7%)
To access better healthcare services
11
(4.9%)
For better environmental conditions, climate
9
(3.8%)
To move to a safer place
7
(3%)
To be closer to family
6
(2.6%)
To return to my homeland
1
(0.6%)
To see the world, travel
8
(3.3%)
I don’t see a future for myself/my children here
57
(23.9%)
To change my social circle/make new friends
3
(1.3%)
Other
22
(9.4%)
Difficult to answer (DO NOT READ OUT)
21
(8.7%)

Regardless of whether you want to move or not, which country seems most attractive to you for relocation? (Do not read out options, note the respondent's answer)

United Kingdom
13
(1.2%)
Germany
28
(2.5%)
Canada
29
(2.6%)
Russia
68
(6.2%)
USA
85
(7.7%)
Turkey
50
(4.6%)
South Korea
24
(2.2%)
United Arab Emirates
20
(1.8%)
Saudi Arabia
10
(1%)
Other
38
(3.4%)
No such countries
385
(35%)
Difficult to answer (DO NOT READ OUT)
261
(23.8%)

In your opinion, in the next 3 to 5 years, will more qualified professionals leave Kazakhstan or, conversely, come to Kazakhstan?

More will leave
432
(39.2%)
More will come
238
(21.7%)
They will leave and come equally
205
(18.7%)
Difficult to answer (DO NOT READ OUT)
225
(20.4%)

What changes could motivate professionals to stay in Kazakhstan or return from abroad? (CHOOSE UP TO THREE OPTIONS)

Improvement of living conditions and quality of life
340
(30.9%)
Increase in salaries, social benefits
478
(43.4%)
Resolution of housing issues
267
(24.2%)
Support for young professionals
238
(21.7%)
Improvement in human rights situation
63
(5.7%)
Better education and healthcare quality
149
(13.5%)
Political reforms, fair and transparent elections
80
(7.3%)
Reduction of corruption and improved government agency efficiency
293
(26.6%)
Improvement of the environmental situation
50
(4.5%)
It is a personal choice, hard to influence people’s decision to relocate
86
(7.8%)
Other
53
(4.8%)
Difficult to answer (DO NOT READ OUT)
83
(7.5%)

What People in Kazakhstan Think of Brain Drain

POLL: One in Five Kazakh Citizens Considers Emigrating