Kazakhstanis marrying less often and divorcing more frequently

Kazakhstan is experiencing a significant demographic shift, with marriage rates hitting a two-decade low while divorce rates climb to a seven-year high. In the first quarter of 2026, only 21,600 marriages were registered, a nearly 4 percent decrease from the previous year and the lowest figure since 2006.

This decline contrasts sharply with 2021, when over 32,000 marriages were recorded in the same period. The trend indicates a growing reluctance among modern Kazakhstanis to formalize relationships, potentially opting for independence or delaying marriage.

Conversely, the number of divorces has steadily increased. In the first three months of 2026, 11,200 families dissolved, marking a 7.7 percent rise in rural areas and a 10.5 percent increase in urban centers. This surge brings the divorce rate to its highest point in seven years.

Major cities like Almaty and Astana, along with the Turkestan Region, continue to register the highest numbers of both marriages and divorces. Despite the overall downward trend in marriages, some regions, including Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent, reported growth in wedding registrations. The data suggests a complex interplay of social and personal choices influencing family structures across Kazakhstan.