Day: August 15, 2025

Kazakhstan continues to face a severe shortage of student dormitories, with many new facilities being built in locations that do not address the areas of greatest need, according to a report by analysts at Energyprom.kz.

Demand far outstrips supply

In the 2024/2025 academic year, the country had 336,400 non-resident students, 7.5% more than the previous year. The largest concentrations were in Almaty (123,500), Astana (51,900), and Shymkent (28,500).

Of these, 131,400 required dormitory accommodation, but only 95,900 places were available. On average, just 39% of non-resident students in need were housed. In some regions, the situation was far worse: in Aktobe region, almost 70% of students seeking accommodation could not get it; in North Kazakhstan region, the figure was 68.8%; and in Turkestan region, 58.5%.

While the national average shows 73% of students have access to some form of housing, regional disparities are stark. Only eight out of 20 regions fully met demand. The lowest provision rates were recorded in Aktobe (50.4%), Almaty (60.3%), and Abai region (69.1%). As a result, even in relatively well-served areas, many students are forced to rent costly and often substandard accommodation.

Misaligned construction priorities

In the first half of 2025, 22 dormitories were commissioned nationwide, up from 18 in the same period last year. However, half were designated for workers and migrants rather than students. Only six were built specifically for students, while four were family-type facilities.

The Atyrau region saw the most activity, with six dormitories built, followed by Astana (four) and Akmola and Mangistau regions (three each). Notably, no new student dormitories were built in either Aktobe region or Almaty, where demand is highest.

Paradoxically, Atyrau, where 99.7% of demand is already met and only 26.3% of students require housing, recorded the highest construction rates.

Rising student numbers add pressure

The problem is compounded by an influx of internal and international student migrants. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 8,900 such students arrived, a 26.3% increase year-on-year.

Almaty led the inflow with 2,100 new students, up from 1,400 last year (+48.9%). It was followed by Astana, Shymkent, Almaty region, and Turkestan region. Only the Pavlodar region maintained last year’s intake, while Ulytau and Akmola regions saw declines.

Analysts note that while the growth reflects the appeal of Kazakhstan’s leading universities, it is placing additional strain on an already inadequate student housing system.

continues to face a severe shortage of student dormitories, with many new facilities being built in locations that do not address the areas of greatest need, according to a report by analysts at Energyprom.kz.

Demand far outstrips supply

In the 2024/2025 academic year, the country had 336,400 non-resident students, 7.5% more than the previous year. The largest concentrations were in Almaty (123,500), Astana (51,900), and Shymkent (28,500).

Of these, 131,400 required dormitory accommodation, but only 95,900 places were available. On average, just 39% of non-resident students in need were housed. In some regions, the situation was far worse: in Aktobe region, almost 70% of students seeking accommodation could not get it; in North Kazakhstan region, the figure was 68.8%; and in Turkestan region, 58.5%.

While the national average shows 73% of students have access to some form of housing, regional disparities are stark. Only eight out of 20 regions fully met demand. The lowest provision rates were recorded in Aktobe (50.4%), Almaty (60.3%), and Abai region (69.1%). As a result, even in relatively well-served areas, many students are forced to rent costly and often substandard accommodation.

Misaligned construction priorities

In the first half of 2025, 22 dormitories were commissioned nationwide, up from 18 in the same period last year. However, half were designated for workers and migrants rather than students. Only six were built specifically for students, while four were family-type facilities.

The Atyrau region saw the most activity, with six dormitories built, followed by Astana (four) and Akmola and Mangistau regions (three each). Notably, no new student dormitories were built in either Aktobe region or Almaty, where demand is highest.

Paradoxically, Atyrau, where 99.7% of demand is already met and only 26.3% of students require housing, recorded the highest construction rates.

Rising student numbers add pressure

The problem is compounded by an influx of internal and international student migrants. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 8,900 such students arrived, a 26.3% increase year-on-year.

Almaty led the inflow with 2,100 new students, up from 1,400 last year (+48.9%). It was followed by Astana, Shymkent, Almaty region, and Turkestan region. Only the Pavlodar region maintained last year’s intake, while Ulytau and Akmola regions saw declines.

Analysts note that while the growth reflects the appeal of Kazakhstan’s leading universities, it is placing additional strain on an already inadequate student housing system.