Kazakhstan tops Central Asia in prosperity ranking

Kazakhstan has secured the top position among Central Asian countries in the 2026 Legatum Prosperity Index, an annual assessment by the British think tank Legatum Institute. The nation ranked 66th globally out of 167 countries evaluated.

The Prosperity Index measures a country's well-being through a broad lens, encompassing not only economic indicators but also social factors. It evaluates nations across three main pillars: inclusive societies, open economies, and empowered people, using dozens of metrics that include healthcare, education, investment climate, and social conditions.

Kazakhstan's performance this year places it significantly ahead of its regional neighbors. Kyrgyzstan followed at 87th, Uzbekistan at 94th, Tajikistan at 129th, and Turkmenistan at 150th. This marks a substantial improvement for Kazakhstan, which has climbed 17 positions in the global ranking since 2011.

Several areas highlight Kazakhstan's strengths. The country achieved a global ranking of 32nd in education and performed well in family relationships and social cohesion, securing 30th place. Notably, healthcare has seen the most significant progress for Kazakhstan over the past decade. Globally, Switzerland led the index, followed by Norway and Ireland.