Immigrants prefer settling in Almaty rather than Astana when relocating to Kazakhstan

In the heart of Kazakhstan, two cities, Almaty and Astana (now Nur-Sultan), present contrasting landscapes that attract different groups of people.

Almaty, known as the economic and cultural heart of the country, continues to lead among Kazakh cities in attracting foreign visitors. The city's allure lies in its established cultural, natural, and recreational appeal. With its scenic Tian Shan mountains, tree-lined streets, vibrant café scene, diverse shops, street art, and proximity to popular tourist destinations such as Kolsai Lakes, Charyn Canyon, and the Shymbulak ski resort, Almaty offers an attractive blend of nature, culture, and leisure activities for international tourists [1][3][5].

Astana, on the other hand, is characterized by monumental modern architecture like the Bayterek Tower and Khan-Shatyr Shopping Centre. The city serves as the political and administrative capital, with a focus on business and government rather than tourism [1][5].

When it comes to internal migration, Astana has a significant edge over Almaty. The city attracts more internal migrants from the regions due to its status as a political center and economic hub, offering more employment opportunities in government, administration, and new industries [2]. According to recent data, most internal migrants moved to Astana (36.8 thousand) to live and work, followed by Almaty and Shymkent [2].

Interestingly, the trend of internal migration in Kazakhstan has seen a shift in the past two years. Astana surpassed Almaty in internal migration, with 27,892 people moving to Almaty in the same period [6]. Regions like Shymkent, Karaganda, and Aktobe also attract significant numbers of migrants, offering jobs, more affordable housing, and developing social infrastructure, making them more attractive to migrants [6].

Despite this, Almaty remains a preferred destination for foreign visitors. In the first half of 2025, Almaty received 1,800 foreign visitors, more than any other Kazakh city [7]. Astana, in comparison, received approximately 1,000 foreign visitors in the same period [8].

The shift in internal migration trends indicates a change in the preference of migrants, with Astana becoming more attractive compared to Almaty. Interestingly, the number of people moving to Astana from other regions in the first half of 2025 was higher than the number of foreign visitors to Astana in the same period (1,000 people) [8]. In contrast, foreign visitor numbers to Shymkent, Karaganda, and Aktobe are on the rise, according to the information provided [9].

While Almaty's tourist appeal and cultural significance are undeniable, the city lies in a high seismic risk zone, which could be a concern for development but does not significantly deter tourists presently [4]. Astana's role as the capital city anchors its pull on internal migrants seeking opportunities.

In summary, Almaty leads in foreign visitor numbers due to its diverse attractions and environment, while Astana attracts more domestic migrants seeking jobs and better living standards tied to its capital status and economic growth. This contrasting dynamics offers a unique perspective on the preferences of tourists and migrants in Kazakhstan.

[1] Almaty attracts more foreign visitors than Astana primarily because of its established cultural, natural, and recreational appeal

[2] Astana attracts more internal migrants from the regions than Almaty because it serves as the political center and economic hub with more employment opportunities in government, administration, and new industries

[3] Almaty is known as Kazakhstan’s economic and cultural heart, nestled by the scenic Tian Shan mountains with pleasant tree-lined streets, a lively café scene, diverse shops, street art, and proximity to natural tourist destinations such as Kolsai Lakes, Charyn Canyon, and the Shymbulak ski resort

[4] Despite Almaty’s tourist appeal and cultural significance, it lies in a high seismic risk zone, which could be a concern for development but does not significantly deter tourists presently

[5] In contrast, Astana (now called Nur-Sultan) is characterized by monumental modern architecture like the Bayterek Tower and Khan-Shatyr Shopping Centre, and functions more as the political and administrative capital with a focus on business and government rather than tourism

[6] Astana surpassed Almaty in internal migration, with 27,892 people moving to Almaty in the same period

[7] In the first half of 2025, Almaty received 1,800 foreign visitors, more than any other Kazakh city

[8] Astana received approximately 1,000 foreign visitors in the same period

[9] Foreign visitor numbers to Shymkent, Karaganda, and Aktobe are on the rise, according to the information provided

Immigrants prefer settling in Almaty rather than Astana when relocating to Kazakhstan