Wage Minimum Remains Unchanged in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan Freezes Minimum Wage at Current Level Amid Economic Considerations
In a recent announcement, Kazakhstan has decided not to increase the minimum wage to 90,000 tenge by 2026 as previously suggested. Instead, the minimum wage will remain at the current level of 85,000 tenge per month.
This decision was confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy, Serik Zhumangarin, during a government press briefing. Minister of Finance, Madis Takiiev, had earlier mentioned a rough figure for a potential MZP increase in June, stating that the republican budget could afford an increase. However, considering the current situation, the government has decided to maintain the wage at 85,000 tenge.
Despite the calculations, which indicated that the minimum wage should ideally be around 90,000 tenge, according to Minister of Finance, Madis Takiiev, there are no plans to raise it at this time. The new minimum wage will be announced after all research is completed in Kazakhstan.
The decision to freeze the minimum wage comes amidst challenges in non-competitive salaries and urban migration, highlighted by the Ministry of Labor. This move is also aimed at allocating more of the budget for pension and social benefits indexing.
The current MZP stands at 85,000 tenge, and if approved, the increase is set for January 1, 2026, in Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, this decision may impact sectors such as education and healthcare, where salaries have decreased due to inflation.
The expected announcement of the new MZP is scheduled for the end of the year in Kazakhstan. As of now, there are no plans to increase the MZP to 90,000 tenge, according to Serik Zhumaniyarzin.
In light of economic considerations, the government has chosen not to raise the minimum wage to 90,000 tenge, as initially proposed, despite calculations suggesting it should be at this level. Instead, the finance minister, Madis Takiiev, has confirmed that the minimum business salary (MZP) will remain at the current level of 85,000 tenge.
