A large share of expenditure on food remains the main indicator of low well-being of the population in Kazakhstan. In 2025, spending on food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 13.9% compared to the previous year, and has increased almost six-fold since 2010, finprom.kz reported citing data from the Bureau of National Statistics.
Despite the growth in nominal income, a significant portion is spent on food, leaving less money for other needs. In 2025, food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 42.5% of Kazakhstanis’ total income, up from 40.7% the year before.
The highest food expenditures were observed in Almaty—37% higher than the national average.
Residents of the Zhetysu region spent 59.1% of their total income and 55.7% of their total expenses on food. In the Zhambyl region, the figures were 55.9% of income and 56.4% of expenses. In the Turkestan region, the figures were 52.9% and 57.2%, respectively. By comparison, in Almaty, spending on food and soft drinks accounted for 45.2% of income and 48.6% of expenses. In Astana—34.4% of income and 42.6% of expenses.
The structure of food expenditures remains poorly diversified. Meat and meat products accounted for the largest share—34.4% of all spending on food. Over the year, spending on meat increased by 18.1%. Bread and cereal products (14.7%), dairy products (10.6%), fruits (9.1%), and vegetables (7.7%). Fish and seafood accounted for only 4.4% of total food expenditures.
Rising prices are the main reason for growing spending on food. As of the end of February 2026, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices in Kazakhstan had increased by 12.6% compared to February of the previous year.
The accelerating pace of food price growth this year creates the risk that before the end of 2026, spending on food could exceed 50% of the population’s income, leading to a further decline in real living standards.
