Kazakhstan to double student stipends by 2030, doctoral pay to exceed 500,000 tenge
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Kazakhstan's acting science minister Sayasat Nurbek announced plans to continue annual stipend increases of 15–20% through 2030, aiming for a cumulative 100% rise. Doctoral stipends would climb from 262,500 tenge to more than 500,000 tenge per month by 2030. The announcement came as the National Bank released a survey showing analysts raised the 2027 inflation forecast to 8.5%.
Key Facts
- Acting Minister Sayasat Nurbek said stipends will rise 15–20% annually from 2026 to 2030, targeting a 100% cumulative increase.
- Doctoral stipends are currently 262,500 tenge per month and would exceed 500,000 tenge by 2030 under the plan.
- Current government stipends are 52,372 tenge for bachelor's students, 84,000 tenge for pedagogical specialties, 117,098 tenge for master's students, and 262,500 tenge for doctoral students.
- The National Bank's survey of 15 organizations raised the 2027 inflation forecast to 8.5% from 7.8%, while keeping the 2026 forecast at 10%.
- The survey kept the 2026 base rate forecast at 16%, raised the 2027 forecast to 13% from 12.8%, and lowered the 2028 forecast to 10.5% from 10.6%.
Stipend Increase Plan
Acting Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek said the ministry will not stop indexing stipends and wants to add 15–20% annually over the next five years. The goal is to achieve another 100% increase by 2030, following a doubling of stipends over the past five years. Nurbek specifically highlighted doctoral stipends, which currently stand at 262,500 tenge per month. If the plan succeeds, doctoral stipends would exceed 500,000 tenge per month by 2030, roughly 525,000 tenge with a full doubling.
Current Stipend Levels
Under the current government decree, bachelor's students receive 52,372 tenge per month. Students in pedagogical specialties receive 84,000 tenge, and master's students receive 117,098 tenge. Doctoral students receive the highest stipend at 262,500 tenge per month.
Macroeconomic Survey
The National Bank of Kazakhstan published a macroeconomic survey of 15 independent organizations, including market participants, research institutes, and international rating agencies. Analysts raised the 2027 inflation forecast to 8.5% from 7.8%, and the 2028 forecast to 7% from 6.8%, while keeping the 2026 forecast at 10%. The survey kept the 2026 base rate forecast at 16%, raised the 2027 forecast to 13% from 12.8%, and lowered the 2028 forecast to 10.5% from 10.6%. GDP growth forecasts remained unchanged at 4.8% for 2026, 4.6% for 2027, and 4.3% for 2028. Brent oil price expectations were adjusted to $82.7 per barrel for 2026, $75 for 2027, and $73.7 for 2028.
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Kazakhstan to double student stipends by 2030, doctoral pay to exceed 500,000 tenge
