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Kazakhstani researchers are once again drawing attention to a sensitive yet vital issue: women’s access to contraception and the broader state of reproductive health. Experts at Ranking.kz describe this matter as socially significant, directly affecting public health, quality of life, and the country’s demographic trends.

According to the National Statistics Bureau (NSB), the unmet need for contraception among women with partners in Kazakhstan continues to rise. In 2024, the rate reached 18%, up from just 9.8% in 2015.

The NSB attributes this unmet need to two main reasons cited by women:

12.5% said they do not want children “at this particular moment”; and
5.5% said they do not plan to become pregnant at all, “as they already have children”.

However, analysts argue that the actual reasons are far more complex, encompassing unstable relationships, financial hardship, childfree lifestyle choices, and medical risks. The NSB’s approach, which treats contraception solely as a tool for regulating fertility, largely overlooks its crucial role in preventing sexually transmitted infections.

Access to contraception is becoming more limited. In 2024, only 45.2% of women who wished to use contraceptives were able to do so, a decline from 55.7% in 2014. The reasons for use remain narrowly defined: delaying pregnancy or avoiding it entirely.

The study also highlights stark regional disparities. Western Kazakhstan presents the most concerning figures. In the Aktobe region, 26.7% of women in partnerships report wanting but being unable to use contraception. The Atyrau region follows closely with 25.6%, then West Kazakhstan at 24%, and Astana at 23%. For comparison, dissatisfaction with access was just 11.7% nationally in 2015.

The unmet need is most acute among the youngest women:

20-24 years old – 27.8%; and
15-19 years old – 25.8%.

Substantial figures are also seen in older age brackets:

25-29 years old – 25%;
30-34 years old – 21.5%; and
35-39 years old – 16.9%.

Globally, the United Nations reports an unmet need for contraception at 15% in 2024. Contributing factors include religious and cultural attitudes, economic barriers, lack of awareness, and restrictions imposed by partners or family members.

Despite increasing demand, only 39.7% of Kazakhstani women of reproductive age, around 1.9 million individuals, currently use contraceptives. While this represents the highest number in recent years, the gap between need and access remains significant.