Kazakhstan needs 1.8 million skilled workers by 2035, government says

September 8, 2026 at 10:52 AM2 min

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Kazakhstan's economy will need 2.9 million specialists by 2035, including 1.8 million skilled workers, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Asqarbek Ertaev said at a government meeting. The highest demand will be in industry, construction, agriculture, and IT. The list of in-demand professions has expanded from 51 to 174 occupations.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan's economy will need 2.9 million specialists by 2035, including 1.8 million skilled workers.
The highest demand will be in industry (183,000), construction (102,000), agriculture (73,000), and IT (12,000).
The list of in-demand professions has expanded from 51 to 174 occupations, including engineering, construction, manufacturing, biotechnology, green energy, and nuclear energy.
More than 200 new professions will appear, about 100 will transform, and demand will decline for about 125 professions.
Kazakhstan's labor force is 9.8 million people, with 9.4 million employed, giving an employment rate of 96%.

Labor Market Forecast

Minister of Labor and Social Protection Asqarbek Ertaev announced at a government meeting that Kazakhstan's economy will need 2.9 million specialists by 2035, including 1.8 million skilled workers. The highest demand is projected in industry, construction, agriculture, and IT. The list of in-demand professions has expanded from 51 to 174 occupations, covering engineering, construction, manufacturing, biotechnology, green energy, and nuclear energy. Minister of Education Zhuldyz Suleimenova said more than 200 new professions will appear, about 100 will transform, and demand will decline for about 125 professions.

Skills Gap in Key Sectors

According to Suleimenova, industry needs 183,000 specialists, construction 102,000, agriculture 73,000, and IT 12,000. The deficit is especially acute in construction and agriculture. In construction, demand exceeds training volume by 4.5 times, with 102,000 needed but only 22,400 students enrolled. In agriculture, the gap is 5.7 times, with 73,000 needed and only 12,700 students studying.

Vocational Training and Employment

Suleimenova reported that 480 colleges train workers, with a total enrollment of 131,000 students. Of these, 103,000 (79%) entered after 9th grade. Graduates number 51,000, and 34,600 (68%) are employed. Over the past three years, enrollment rose from 126,700 to 131,400, admissions from 54,600 to 57,800, and employment of graduates increased by 3%.