Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is a State Party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and has an established Refugee Law and national asylum procedures. In 2024, Kazakhstan has adopted the Ashgabat Declaration on Ending Statelessness in Central Asia. 

With a strong focus on reducing statelessness, UNHCR works closely with national authorities in the country to enhance birth registration and documentation procedures - efforts that have enabled thousands of individuals to confirm their nationality or acquire citizenship. More than 7,800 stateless people are currently identified in the country by the Government and partners.

UNHCR also supports over 600 asylum-seekers and refugees in Kazakhstan, primarily from Afghanistan and Ukraine, by providing legal assistance, facilitating access to healthcare and education, and promoting their inclusion in national social protection systems. Additionally, it is estimated that more than 65,500 people in Kazakhstan are in a "refugee-like" situation, facing protection risks similar to those of recognized refugees.

The Kazakhstan Multi-Country Office, also known as the Representation for Central Asia and based in Almaty, provides strategic direction, coordination, and funding support for operations across the region, covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Population and financial overview

Data on population and financials are available at the multi-country office level, which oversees operations across several countries.