Kazakhstan · Central Asia

Kazakh children learn to ride horses before they learn to ride bicycles.

Nomadic equestrian heritage runs deep — horseback games like kokpar are taught to children in rural areas alongside modern school subjects.

Take the 2-minute parenting style quiz to see how your style fits in Kazakhstan.

30% Population under 18

3.07 Children per family

49% Preschool enrollment

18 wk Paid maternity leave

Children in Kazakhstan

5.9M Children under 18

30% Of total population

58% In urban areas

Context & Trends

Kazakhstan's children grow up in Central Asia's wealthiest country, benefiting from oil-funded education investment. The country straddles European and Asian identities, with children navigating Kazakh, Russian, and increasingly English-language worlds. Urban children in Almaty and Astana have access to modern schools and technology, while children on the vast steppe live more traditional lives. The government's ambitious trilingual education policy aims to produce globally competitive graduates.

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What surprises expat families

Children learn horseback riding as cultural heritage in rural areas

{"Three languages are used in schools"=>"Kazakh, Russian, and English"}

The Bolashak scholarship sends thousands of students abroad each year

Nauryz spring festival is the biggest celebration children anticipate

The steppe is so vast that some rural children live hours from school

Cultural context

Parenting philosophy

"A child on a horse fears nothing"

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Kazakh parenting blends nomadic traditions with Soviet-era collective values and modern aspirations. Extended family bonds are strong, with seven generations of ancestry memorized by children. The youngest son inherits the family home and parents' care. Respect for elders is paramount. Urban families increasingly adopt intensive parenting styles with tutoring and enrichment activities, while rural families maintain traditional pastoral child-rearing practices.

Sources: UNICEF Kazakhstan 2024; World Bank 2024

Play culture

"The steppe is the biggest playground"

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Kazakh children in rural areas learn horseback riding, traditional wrestling (kuresi), and eagle hunting from fathers and grandfathers. Kokpar, a horseback game played with a goat carcass, is learned by teenagers. Urban children play football, hockey (ice sports are popular), and video games. Asyk (knucklebones) is the traditional game played everywhere. During Nauryz (spring new year), children participate in games, competitions, and feasting.

Sources: UNICEF Kazakhstan 2024; Cultural Heritage 2024

Mealtime culture

"Beshbarmak honors every guest"

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Beshbarmak (boiled meat with flat noodles) is the national dish served at every celebration. Children learn which cuts of meat are served to which family members by age and status. Kumis (fermented mare's milk) is offered to children as a traditional health drink. Baursak (fried bread) accompanies every meal. Tea with milk is drunk throughout the day from childhood. The dastarkhan (feast spread) is central to Kazakh hospitality that children learn to prepare.

Sources: FAO Kazakhstan 2024; UNICEF Nutrition 2024

School system

Trilingual reformed model

Kazakhstan follows an 11-year system transitioning to 12 years. Kazakh and Russian are both languages of instruction, with English being added as a third language for science subjects. The Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools serve as reform laboratories.

Kazakhstan's education spending is high by regional standards. The Bolashak scholarship program sends thousands of students abroad annually. STEM education is heavily promoted. The country's PISA scores improved significantly between 2009 and 2022.

Homework Norms: Moderate homework with emphasis on math and science. Urban families invest heavily in tutoring and enrichment. Rural children in the steppe balance school with traditional pastoral activities. Intellectual competitions (olympiads) are prestigious pathways.

Assessment Approach: The Unified National Testing (UNT) exam determines university admission and scholarship eligibility. It is the single most consequential test in a student's life. National assessments at earlier grades monitor system quality.

Parent Teacher Dynamic: Parents are increasingly engaged, especially in urban areas. Teacher salaries have risen significantly, improving the profession's status. The education system is seen as the pathway to the country's modernization goals. Parent chat groups are ubiquitous.

Sources: Kazakhstan Ministry of Education; UNICEF Kazakhstan 2024; World Bank 2024

How Kazakhstan compares

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