How Many Cities Does Kazakhstan Have? Administrative Breakdown

As of the latest administrative data, Kazakhstan has 87 officially designated cities (города / қалалар).

Special Status Cities

Two cities hold unique constitutional status equivalent to regions (область / облыс):

1. Astana (formerly Nur-Sultan, 2019–2022) – The capital since 1997; population ~1.4 million.
2. Almaty – Former capital (1929–1997); largest city (~2.2 million); financial/cultural hub.

Note: Baikonur is a city of republican significance leased to Russia until 2050 for the cosmodrome; it administers separately but is not a region-level unit.

City Classification

Kazakhstan's cities are categorized by population and administrative role:

• Republican significance (2): Astana, Almaty
• Regional significance (40+): Capitals of 17 regions + major industrial centers (Karaganda, Shymkent, Pavlodar, etc.)
• District significance: Smaller administrative centers

Recent Changes

• 2018: Shymkent elevated to republican significance (later reverted to regional).
• 2022: Capital renamed from Nur-Sultan back to Astana.
• Ongoing: New settlements occasionally granted city status as urbanization continues.

For the most current list, consult the Bureau of National Statistics (Kazakhstan) or the e-Government portal.