Kazakhstan plans to save 2.5 trillion tenge by cutting benefits for wealthy citizens

Kazakhstan's government expects to save 700 billion tenge in 2027 and nearly 2.5 trillion tenge over three years by cancelling benefits and payments to wealthy citizens. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced the figures on Wednesday during a Kurultai session reviewing the 2027–2029 draft budget in its first reading.

Bektenov said a major social security reform is underway. From 1 January 2027, benefits will be based on need rather than category. He argued that wealthy and poor large families currently receive the same support, which he called unfair, and that wealthy people should rely on their own means.

On 5 October, Bektenov signed a resolution setting out the benefits affected and the conditions for their payment, effective from 1 January 2027. People with high or well-off social well-being levels will not qualify, and applicants must consent to personal data checks, including bank information. Payments can be suspended if an account has no transactions for three months or more.