Kazakhstan utility tariffs may rise at end of 2026

Utility tariffs in Kazakhstan may rise by the end of the year. First Vice Minister of National Economy Azamat Amrin said at a government briefing that the government and the National Bank have agreed to curb price growth for paid services. Under a joint plan, this category's contribution to overall inflation should not exceed 1 percentage point.

Amrin said that increases in some utility tariffs in spring and summer added 0.47 percentage points to inflation. To continue preventive measures, he said, authorities have tried to shift all tariff increases to December, the end of the year.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin was asked whether utility tariff increases could force some companies to close. He said no such risk exists. At a May briefing, Zhumangarin said heating tariffs in Astana rose about 15%, water and sewage tariffs 20–25%, and the overall inflation contribution would not exceed 0.3 percentage points.