Finprom: 8 of 19 Kazakh monogorods post wage growth above national average
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Eight of Kazakhstan’s 19 monogorods posted nominal wage growth above the national average index of 109.1% in January–March 2026, Finprom reported. Real wages fell in 12 monogorods as inflation eroded purchasing power, led by Kurchatov, where the real wage index dropped to 87.8%. The overall number of monogorods has fallen from 27 to 19 over 15 years, while Khromtau recorded the strongest population growth at 22.8%.
Wage Growth Disparities
Eight of 19 monogorods exceeded the national nominal wage growth index of 109.1% in the first quarter of 2026. Zhanaozen posted an average monthly salary just over 1 million tenge, 2.3 times the national average; oil-sector pay reached 1.8 million tenge, manufacturing 1.1 million, and construction 1.4 million. Kulsary in Atyrau region also averaged above 1 million tenge, with mining-sector wages hitting 3.6 million tenge a month. Finprom noted that wage dynamics in each town depend on the structure of the local economy and the performance of city-forming enterprises.
Demographic Divergence
The monogorod development programme has reduced the official list from 27 to 19 towns over nearly 15 years. Diapazon reported that Ekibastuz was removed in March 2026 after diversifying its economy, while 24.kz noted that Saran and Ekibastuz outgrew the status but Serebryansk and Arkalyk stagnated and moved to the small-town category. Current populations range from 9,800 to 175,700. Khromtau led population growth with a 22.8% increase from 2012 to 1 April 2026, whereas Zhanaozen fell 22.7%, Lisakovsk 15.6% and Ridder 11.7% over the same period.
Inflation Erodes Incomes
In 12 monogorods, real wage growth lagged significantly behind nominal gains because of inflation. Kurchatov recorded a real wage index of 87.8%, a 12.2% drop in purchasing power; Kulsary was at 90.6% and Ridder at 92.8%. Kazakhstan’s 2025–2030 Regional Development Concept classifies Kurchatov, Karazhal and Zhitikara as stagnating, citing weak SME development, labour-market problems, demographic decline and underdeveloped infrastructure. 24.kz reported population declines since 2012 of 13.2% in Kurchatov, 11.4% in Karazhal and 0.9% in Zhitikara.
What's Next
Authorities are expected to update support measures for stagnating monogorods under the 2025–2030 Regional Development Concept, with particular attention to Kurchatov, Karazhal and Zhitikara. It remains unclear whether nominal wage growth in oil-dependent towns such as Zhanaozen and Kulsary will translate into sustained real-income gains and broader diversification.
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Finprom: 8 of 19 Kazakh monogorods post wage growth above national average
