Kazakhstan’s population surpasses 20.59 million

Kazakhstan’s population has crossed 20.59 million, according to figures from the country’s Bureau of National Statistics.

The population stood at 20,590,589 on July 1, up by 104,997 since the beginning of the year. Almaty remained the most populous area with 2,379,793 residents, followed by Turkestan Region with 2,144,993.

Astana recorded the fastest growth rate, at 3.14%. Its population rose from 1,682,721 on July 1 to 1,690,605, putting the capital within reach of 1.7 million residents in the following two months, according to the figures. Other areas with more than one million residents included Almaty Region, Shymkent, Zhambyl Region and Karaganda Region.

Most Kazakhstanis lived in urban areas. As of Aug. 1, the urban population reached 13,211,759, an increase of 126,649 since the start of the year. The rural population stood at 7,393,060 after falling by 21,652. Ulytau, North Kazakhstan and Abai remained the country’s least populated regions.