Safest cities in Kazakhstan
21 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in KazakhstanTerrorist attacks in Kazakhstan cannot be ruled out.
Political situation
- Public demonstrations are only permitted when authorised by the Kazakh authorities in advance. Occasional unauthorised small-scale public protests take place. Attending unauthorised demonstrations or political gatherings may put participants at risk of arrest.
Crime
- Robbery and violent crimeThere have been violent thefts in expatriate communities in Atyrau and Aktau in western Kazakhstan and in Astana and Almaty. They happen mainly at night in and around local nightclubs and bars or when arriving home late at night. Robberies are uncommon in cities and rural areas but do happen. Take the same precautions you would in the UK to…
- Protecting your belongingsPickpocketing is very common in crowded places such as markets and on public transport. Criminals may target foreigners as they are assumed to be carrying valuable items. Keep valuables in a safe place and out of public view.
- Bank card fraudFraudsters can steal your card details without you noticing. Use ATMs inside banks if possible, and check ATMs on the street for signs of tampering. Keep cards in sight when paying in shops and restaurants. Read more about how to avoid bank card fraud.
- Drink spiking and sexual assaultDrink spiking is a risk in nightclubs and bars and can lead to sexual assault. Alcohol and drugs can reduce your vigilance, making you less in control.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDCarry original ID such as your driving licence or passport at all times. Police patrolling the streets may ask for your ID, and copies are not acceptable. You need to show your original ID to enter state buildings.
- RamadanRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. Cafés and restaurants may amend their menus and be busy around fast-breaking (‘Iftar’). Areas around mosques are also likely to be busy around prayer times. Take particular care not to offend religious sensitivities at this time.
- Alcohol laws and bansThe drinking age in Kazakhstan is 18. However, it is illegal to sell alcohol to someone aged 20 or under. You may be refused the sale of alcohol if you are unable to present a valid proof of age ID on request.
- Smoking and e-cigarette bansSmoking and vaping are illegal in and near to:
- Illegal drugsIllegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.
- Posting on social mediaIt’s illegal to post images or comments on social media that show disrespect towards religion, culture or national symbols. Take particular care with images that show the Kazakh flag. Sharing or publishing images that the authorities consider to be insulting risks a fine or a prison sentence.
- Taking photos in secure areasThere are restrictions on where you can take photos or videos, especially near military sites, border areas, airports and some official buildings. Restrictions may be in force despite a lack of warning signs. Taking photographs of sensitive sites risks confiscation of your equipment.
- Using drones in KazakhstanYou can bring a drone to Kazakhstan without a licence. However, you risk a fine, detention and the confiscation of your drone if you operate a drone without a licence.
- MoneyOnly change money at banks or officially authorised currency exchanges. You will be required to present your passport for identification.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is not illegal in Kazakhstan. However, on 30 December 2025, legislation was introduced prohibiting the ‘promotion’ or dissemination of information about non-traditional sexual orientation. Perceived breaches of this law may result in administrative penalties, including fines, detention, and deportation.
- Wildlife, animal products and souvenirsYou are not allowed to export:
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- Trekking and mountaineeringTrekking in Kazakhstan often involves travelling to very remote areas. There is a high risk of avalanches, landslides and rockfalls. Weather can change very quickly, and heavy snowfall can block roads and trekking routes, particularly in the autumn and winter.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Kazakhstan, see information on driving abroad and Kazakhstan’s rules of the road (in Russian).
- TaxisTo avoid accidentally using an unlicenced taxi or being overcharged, avoid flagging down taxis and use licensed pre-ordered taxi services whenever possible.
- Road conditionsDriving standards can be erratic. Many cars are not safely maintained and do not have rear seatbelts.
- Closed areasThe following areas are closed to visitors unless you have received prior permission from the Foreign Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the Kazakh National Security Committee:
- Border crossingsOfficials in Kazakhstan or neighbouring countries may close border crossing points at short notice. If you are travelling overland be alert for any announcements by the Kazakh authorities.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- WildfiresWildfires affected forests in east Kazakhstan in 2023. Regions in the Kazakh steppe can also be affected by grass fires. Take local advice.
- Flooding and mudslidesWidespread flooding affected much of northern and western Kazakhstan in April 2024. Take local advice about road closures and transport disruption caused by flooding.
- EarthquakesKazakhstan has several areas which are at high risk of earthquakes. Almaty is in an active seismic zone.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Kazakhstan, updated 2026-03-30 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 2.55 /100k2022
- Income inequality
- Gini 29.22021
- Human development
- HDI 0.8372023
- Income
- $41,090/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 12.7 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 61/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 50/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 38/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 2.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.72GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 19.6 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 92%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 3.8 doctors /1k6.5 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 0 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Flood
- 7.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 6.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 5.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Kazakhstan (as of 2025).
How Kazakhstan compares
| Measure | Kazakhstan | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 2.5 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +0.2 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 29.2 | 35.2 | −6.0 — better for Kazakhstan |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.837 | 0.763 | +0.074 — better for Kazakhstan |
| Road deaths | 12.7 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −2.7 /100k — better for Kazakhstan |
| Rule of law | 50/100 | 52/100 | −2/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 38/100 | 39/100 | −1/100 — better for World median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 19.6 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −0.1 µg/m³ — better for Kazakhstan |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.6/10 | 3.8/10 | −1.2/10 — better for Kazakhstan |
| Measure | Kazakhstan | Asia median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 2.5 /100k | 1.5 /100k | +1.0 /100k — better for Asia median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 29.2 | 33.6 | −4.4 — better for Kazakhstan |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.837 | 0.766 | +0.071 — better for Kazakhstan |
| Road deaths | 12.7 /100k | 15.3 /100k | −2.6 /100k — better for Kazakhstan |
| Rule of law | 50/100 | 52/100 | −2/100 — better for Asia median |
| Corruption perceptions | 38/100 | 35/100 | +4/100 — better for Kazakhstan |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 19.6 µg/m³ | 28.6 µg/m³ | −9.0 µg/m³ — better for Kazakhstan |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.6/10 | 3.7/10 | −1.1/10 — better for Kazakhstan |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 21 cities, safest first
- Shymkent75.4 · #2791 worldwide
- Astana75.4 · #2792 worldwide
- Aktobe75.4 · #2793 worldwide
- Karaganda75.4 · #2794 worldwide
- Aktau75.4 · #2795 worldwide
- Semey75.4 · #2796 worldwide
- Pavlodar75.4 · #2797 worldwide
- Kyzylorda75.4 · #2798 worldwide
- Ust-Kamenogorsk75.4 · #2799 worldwide
- Turkestan75.4 · #2800 worldwide
- Atyrau75.4 · #2801 worldwide
- Oral75.4 · #2802 worldwide
- Taraz75.4 · #2803 worldwide
- Kostanay75.4 · #2804 worldwide
- Taldykorgan75.4 · #2805 worldwide
- Zhanaozen75.4 · #2806 worldwide
- Temirtau75.4 · #2807 worldwide
- Kokshetau75.4 · #2808 worldwide
- Petropavl75.4 · #2809 worldwide
- Ekibastuz75.4 · #2810 worldwide
- Almaty69.8 · #3438 worldwide