Kazakhstan’s transport sector posts 8.4% growth since Jan 2026
Kazakhstan’s transport and warehousing sector reported a 8.4% growth in January-May 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, Qazinform News Agency learned from the National Statistics Bureau.
The physical volume index amounted to 108.4%, indicating an increase in transport activity in the country.
Between January and May 2026, freight transportation volumes reached 382.1 million tons, up 2% against the previous year.
Meanwhile, freight turnover decreased by 7%, comprising 213.3 billion tkm. Passenger transportation increased by 6.6% to 822.3 million people, while passenger turnover rose by 4.1% to 36.7 billion pkm.
Regional statistics show a predominantly downward trend in freight turnover. The biggest declines were recorded in Kostanay region (- 13.8%), Zhambyl region (- 13.2%), East Kazakhstan region (- 12.1%), Karaganda region (- 11%), and Akmola region (- 10.9%). Among cities, negative dynamics were observed in Astana (- 7.3%), Shymkent (- 5%), and Almaty (- 2.4%). Growth in freight turnover was observed in Zhetysu region - up 5.8%.
Passenger turnover shows growth in most of the regions. The most significant increase was recorded in Kostanay region (60.3%), Almaty (22.2%), Akmola region (21.3%), Shymkent (18.7%), as well as in Almaty region (15.4%), and Karaganda region (15.3%). Significant decline was reported in Atyrau region – down to 54.1% of the last year’s level.
By transport type, the most stable growth was shown by road and urban electric transport. Here, freight transportation increased - by 9.7%, freight turnover - by 5.4%, passenger transportation by 6.8% and passenger turnover – by 7%.
Rail transport, on the contrary, demonstrated a decline across all key indicators: freight turnover decreased by 11.1%, freight transportation - by 1.8%, passenger transportation - by 3.4%, and passenger turnover also by 3.4%.
Pipeline transport recorded a reduction, with freight transportation falling by 2.4% and freight turnover dropping by 3.6%.
The aviation sector showed moderate growth: passenger transportation increased by 1.7% and passenger turnover – by 7%.
Water transport demonstrated the most dynamic positive statistics: domestic freight transportation grew 5.1 times, sea freight transportation by 9.5%, and freight turnover of sea and coastal transport – by 17.6%.
Previously, it was reported that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) sharply downgraded its financial outlook for the global airline industry, citing disruptions in the Middle East and soaring fuel prices.