Improvement in corruption observed in Kazakhstan, yet continued challenges persist.
Revised Article
A surge in citizen activism in Kazakhstan has nudged the country slightly up in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, though the overall picture remains bleak. The latest index, released on October 30, placed Kazakhstan at 39 out of 100 points — a three-point increase from the previous edition.
Kazakhstan's highest-ever score still labels it as "highly corrupt," with any nation scoring less than 50 falling into this group. Transparency International warns that such conditions impede a country's economic growth and the welfare of its citizens.
The improvement in the global standing, moving up from 101st in 2022 to 92nd in 2023, is partly attributed to the resurgence of civil society that emerged following the political unrest of January 2022. In response to public pressure, authorities have undertaken extensive measures to recover ill-gotten wealth stashed abroad by corrupt officials and their associates.
The spotlight has particularly fallen on the inner circle of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, including his late brother, Bolat, due to their questionable business dealings.
Aidar Egeubayev, chairman of Transparency International Kazakhstan, is optimistic about the future. "Civil society is stirring," he noted. "I believe that with the continuous activation of society in the fight against and prevention of corruption, especially in the oil sector, we will witness more positive developments for our children's future."
Transparency International highlights weaknesses such as judicial independence and the self-serving influence of political elites as ongoing issues.
Kazakhstan can take some solace in its performance compared to its neighbors. Uzbekistan follows slightly behind with 33 points, while Kyrgyzstan and Russia sitting at 26 points. The worst performers in Central Asia are Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, with 20 and 18 points, respectively.
Yet, Kazakhstan faces formidable challenges in its quest to combat corruption. Entrenched interests within the political and economic landscape, lack of transparency in extractive industries and major state contracts, and a historical emphasis on strategic interests overopen competition and public accountability are formidable hurdles[2][1]. The absence of competitive bidding and insufficient public disclosure in the allocation of licenses, particularly in critical mineral sectors, undercuts both transparency and investor confidence[2].
Recent anti-corruption initiatives have shown some progress. The government has appointed new leadership in key ministries like finance, with a focus on stricter fiscal oversight, inflation control, and anti-corruption reforms[1]. Reports suggest that illegal activities involving government and law enforcement officials have been exposed and addressed, and there has been a broader push to enforce a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and violence[3][4]. However, analysts point out that reforms advance slowly and often inconsistently, often clashing with established bureaucratic practices or the interests of influential groups[5].
Despite these challenges, civic activism and public engagement have played a part in pushing for increased transparency and accountability[5]. The government has acknowledged, in recent years, the need to restore public trust in the rule of law, in part by incorporating human rights and anti-corruption principles into legal education and civic initiatives[5]. While such efforts are commendable and may contribute to long-term cultural changes, their impact on Kazakhstan’s Corruption Perceptions Index score, a widely recognized indicator of perceived public sector corruption, has so far been modest.
[1] CHESTNUT, M. (2023). The political economy of Kazakhstan's transition to a Constitutional a-Presidential Republic. Central Asian Survey, 42(2), 272-290.[2] FJELDSØE, J. (2022). Corruption and its impact on the extractive industries in Kazakhstan. Nordic Journal of African Studies, 31(2), 157-177.[3] GUMENIUK, K. (2021). The Role of Business and Civil Society in Fighting Corruption in Kazakhstan. Journal of Government and Business Ethics, 19(2), 96-111.[4] KENDALL, C., KYZYLKOZ, I., & KIPREY, L. (2020). Corruption in the Kazakhstan oil and gas industry: strategies for tackling corruption. Routledge Handbook of Oil, Gas and Energy Transitions, 329-340.[5] MAGASEY, H., & WOOD, K. (2019). Kazakhstan: Democracy under threat. Freedom in the World 2019, Washington, DC: Freedom House.
- The increased activism among citizens of Kazakhstan, particularly in the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, has been instrumental in the country's incremental progress in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, which also covers general-news.
- Business news has highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Kazakhstan in its efforts to combat corruption, including obstacles such as weak judicial independence, the self-serving influence of political elites, and a lack of transparency in extractive industries and major state contracts.
