Average data for 2022–2025 showed a link between population spending on alcohol and homicide rates in the regions of Kazakhstan. The highest homicide rates were recorded in the East Kazakhstan Region (EKR), Ulytau Region, and Pavlodar Region.
WHAT THE REGIONAL ANALYSIS SHOWED
According to an analysis by Pavlov Analytics, based on data from the Bureau of National Statistics and the General Prosecutor's Office, a statistical link is observed between spending on alcohol and homicide rates in the regions of Kazakhstan.
The highest homicide rate was recorded in the EKR — 4.9 cases per 100,000 population. The regions with the highest rates also included the Ulytau Region (4.7), Pavlodar Region (3.8), Akmola Region (3.3), and the North Kazakhstan Region (NKR) (3.2).
WHICH REGIONS SPEND MORE ON ALCOHOL
The leader in spending on alcohol was the Karaganda Region, where residents spend an average of 37.9 thousand tenge per year. This is followed by the Pavlodar Region (36.4 thousand tenge), the EKR (34.1 thousand tenge), Almaty (33.6 thousand tenge), and the NKR (33 thousand tenge).
However, the relationship between the two indicators is not direct. For example, in the Karaganda Region, despite the highest spending on alcohol, the homicide rate is around 2.4 cases per 100,000 residents, which is lower than in several northern and eastern regions.
The Ulytau Region stands out separately, where with spending of around 17 thousand tenge per year, the homicide rate remains one of the highest in the country.
WHAT THE FIGURES LOOK LIKE FOR MAJOR CITIES
The northern and eastern regions of Kazakhstan are more often found among the territories with relatively high spending on alcohol and elevated homicide rates. At the same time, major cities such as Almaty and Astana, despite high spending on alcohol, demonstrate lower homicide rates.
The presented data indicate the presence of a statistical link between the two indicators, but they do not in themselves allow for establishing a causal relationship.
HOW KAZAKHSTAN COMPARES IN CENTRAL ASIA
According to research by the World Health Organization and the analytical platform World Population Review, Kazakhstan ranked first among Central Asian countries in terms of alcohol consumption.
Per resident over 15 years old, there is an average of 5.4 litres of pure alcohol per year. For comparison, in Kyrgyzstan this figure is 3.9 litres, in Uzbekistan — 2.1 litres, in Tajikistan — 0.7 litres, and in Turkmenistan — 0.3 litres.
In the global ranking, Kazakhstan is in the middle of the list. The leaders are Romania (17.1 litres), Georgia (15.5 litres), Latvia (14.7 litres), Moldova (14.1 litres), and Czech Republic (13.7 litres).
WHY THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A CAUSE FOR CONCERN
As noted by MP Murat Abenov, one should not draw conclusions that Kazakhstan is one of the most drinking countries in the world based solely on a comparison with Central Asian countries, reports Syrmedia.kz.
According to him, the level of alcohol consumption in the republic is lower than in a number of European countries and neighbouring Russia. The MP also highlighted that Kazakhstan receives around 6.5 million tourists annually, which, in his opinion, also affects the statistics.
Furthermore, Murat Abenov stated that young people today consume alcohol less frequently than older generations. He also noted that there is less alcohol at celebratory events, and some consumers prefer lighter drinks.