The latest MICS survey from Kazakhstan reveals progress and challenges for women and children

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, 16 May 2025 – Today, the Bureau of National Statistics, with support from UNICEF, presented the findings of the latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) to the Senate. This comprehensive survey provides the most significant data set in recent years on women and children’s situation in Kazakhstan.

Presenting the results, Bureau Chairman Maksat Turlubekov highlighted the survey’s extensive reach, encompassing over 24,000 households across the country. Surveyors interviewed over 14,000 women, nearly 2,000 men, and more than 16,000 children, achieving a remarkable 96.3 per cent response rate. This high level of participation ensures the data is robust and representative, offering valuable insights into a range of critical areas from health and education to living conditions, early childhood development, and child rights.

“This is the fourth time Kazakhstan has participated in the global MICS survey. The wealth of data collected provides a deeper understanding of the needs of families and children. For example, the survey reveals that 75.2 per cent of children are thriving across key domains, including health, cognitive development, and psychosocial well-being. We also see a positive trend in fathers' involvement: active engagement with children has increased from 6.6 per cent of fathers in 2015 to 18.6 per cent in 2024," stated Mr. Turlubekov.

The survey revealed encouraging progress in some areas. The proportion of children aged 1-14 subjected to harsh disciplinary measures has decreased from 52.7 per cent in 2015 to 37.9 per cent in 2024. Nutrition remains a key focus, with the survey highlighting that 23.2 per cent of children aged 5-9 are overweight. The full report, providing detailed data across all thematic areas, will be available on the Bureau and UNICEF websites in June.

"Kazakhstan is setting a positive example for other countries in the region. This data not only measures progress achieved but also identifies remaining challenges at both national and regional levels. It provides a crucial tool for building a future where every child has equal opportunities to thrive and be protected," said Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan.

Implemented by UNICEF since 1995, MICS has conducted over 350 surveys in 118 countries. Kazakhstan has participated since 2005. The 2024 MICS in Kazakhstan incorporated new modules on child labour, foundational learning skills, and anthropometric measurements for children aged 5-9. It also included updated indicators on education, health, environment, and attitudes towards violence against women. For the first time, the survey included men aged 15-24 as a target group.

The survey was conducted with financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

“Kazakhstan’s commitment to improving the well-being of children and women is evident. The MICS findings provide valuable insights for developing effective strategies and programmes aimed at sustainable development, strengthening human capital, and promoting social equity,” stated Utsav Kumar, Country Director, ADB Resident Mission in Kazakhstan.

“The MICS-7 results provide timely and robust national disaggregated data sets which will allow Kazakhstan to assess the progress towards its national and sustainable development goals including in the areas of family planning, health and well-being of women and young people, and efforts to eliminate violence. UNFPA will continue its collaboration with Kazakhstan, UNICEF, other United Nations agencies and partners in using data for making decisions,  crafting evidence-based policies, and developing highly impactful programmatic interventions regarding rights and choices for all at the national and subnational level,” said Chinwe Ogbonna, UNFPA Country Representative in Kazakhstan and Country Director for Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.