Kazakhstan’s invisible market: Can educational tourism make it an academic hub?

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Kazakhstan aims to attract foreign universities and regional talent to position itself as a leading education hub

The world is witnessing a fundamental change in higher education. Universities are no longer just an intellectual foundation of a state; they have also become key drivers of the economy. Russia’s withdrawal from the Western education system, the decline in opportunities for Chinese students to study in Western countries, and, most notably, the opening of foreign university branches in Kazakhstan have made the country the only place in the region where Western model of education is accessible. Kazakhstan aims to meet the growing demand for higher education in Central Asia by expanding partnerships with global universities and launching new research centers. Yet, as new AI-driven programs are being introduced, a key question arises: how will students be supported in developing entrepreneurship and deep technology expertise?     

Higher education enrolment in Kazakhstan hit a record high last year. In the 2024/2025 academic year, 624,500 students were enrolled in higher education institutions — an increase of 5.4% compared to the previous year. While the government supports Kazakhstani students in studying at top universities, it also attracts leading foreign universities to establish campuses in Kazakhstan, positioning the country as a regional hub for higher education. Over the past three years alone, 23 branches of foreign universities have opened in the country. In a recent interview, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek pledged to increase the number of foreign students in Kazakhstan to 150,000 by 2029.

However, an important question remains: can these world-class educational centers foster an ecosystem that transforms bold student ideas into real-world innovations and build a hub of deep knowledge and technological advancement?

Can higher education institutions respond to the internal demographic upheaval?

To boost the global competitiveness of universities and strengthen applied research, Kazakhstan has updated its Concept for the Development of Higher Education and Science for 2023–2029. The revised strategy prioritizes enhancing education quality, expanding international partnerships, and aligning curricula with labour market needs. These reforms aim to position education and innovation as the strategic foundation of national development.

Kazakhstan’s geographical location is another strategic advantage. Over 3.6 billion people live within a 3–5-hour flight radius, including residents of China, India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. About 1.5 billion of them are under the age of 25. Consequently, Kazakhstan can access one of the world’s largest education markets.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), nearly one-third of all Kazakh students are enrolled in Almaty-based universities. In the 2024/2025 academic year, approximately 202,000 students were registered in the Almaty alone, making the city Kazakhstan’s primary educational hub. The share of students in Almaty has grown from 26.9% in 2019 to 32.3% this year. However, despite the growth, the number of state-funded grants has remained unchanged. To address the imbalance, a new initiative called “The Future” has launched, though its success remains uncertain.    

For both Kazakh and foreign students, these institutions are not just centers of learning but also drivers of educational tourism. In the 2024/2025 academic year, 28,500 foreign students are studying in Kazakhstan, up 12.8% from last year. Over half of these students come from far abroad, with India leading (9,300 students - 4,700 of them in Almaty), followed by Uzbekistan (4,600) and Turkmenistan (4,400).

Kazakhstan is aligning its education system with Western standards. At the same time, it aims to transform higher education into a key economic driver by attracting students from fast-growing, youth-dominated countries such as India and China. Over the past decade, a shortage of secondary schools and kindergartens has been one of the most pressing issues in the country. Now, the pressure is shifting to the higher education sector.

The key challenge is whether the state and private sector can provide enough high-quality universities, modern infrastructure, and competitive academic programs to meet rising demand while continuing to attract international students. International organizations often emphasize that educational hubs succeed only when they integrate global best practices while preserving local academic excellence. Kazakhstan’s policymakers now face the challenge of meeting domestic demand, while positioning the country as a credible regional magnet for higher education.

The trend of establishing branches of foreign universities in Kazakhstan is not a recent phenomenon. In the early 2000s, several universities from the Middle East launched campuses in the country, but failed to gain traction. To avoid past mistakes, Kazakhstan’s education system places a greater emphasis on selecting partners based on sector-specific workforce needs.

By 2029, branches of foreign universities in Kazakhstan are expected to train over 2,000 highly qualified specialists essential to the country’s economic development. For example, the local campuses of Woosong University and Coventry University offer a unique advantage—graduates receive dual diplomas, both domestic and international.

The expansion of foreign university branches plays a major role in the modernization of Kazakhstan’s higher education system. This initiative will not only improve educational quality through the adoption of international standards, but also broaden access to higher education for both local and foreign students. Currently, Kazakhstan hosts 110 domestic universities and 20 foreign university branches, creating a more competitive and diverse academic environment.

Is the increase in the number of foreign students enough to become a regional hub?

If we measure success only by the number of international students, the figures indeed show growth. However, to strategically position itself as a true educational hub, Kazakhstan needs to establish a holistic ecosystem capable of transforming students’ ideas into reality. This ecosystem must include the necessary infrastructure for everyday student life—ranging from dormitories to libraries.

It is important to emphasize that the presence of foreign students in a country carries deeper implications. An entire ecosystem develops around the universities hosting international students, including retail outlets, cultural venues, entertainment spaces, and tourism infrastructure. This not only attracts foreign capital, but also drives the comprehensive development of the region where the university is located, potentially becoming a new growth point for the economy.

For example, the United Kingdom, a global leader in education provides a useful benchmark. A study for the 2021/2022 academic year found that international students contributed £41.9 billion to the UK economy. On average, the net economic contribution of each student is £98,000, including tuition fees, accommodation, food, and cultural and entertainment spending. Moreover, UK universities provide a substantial benefit to the economy, with theirt total annual contribution to GDP exceeding £52 billion.

Most universities in Kazakhstan were established during the Soviet era, with a significant concentration in Almaty. With every third resident of Almaty being a student, the city—already a financial hub— has earned the informal title of ‘student capital.’ Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin has recently discussed attracting investors to build an academic campus in Alatau, to reduce overcrowding in the city centers. Inspired by examples from Japan, China, and South Korea, the government also sees expanding private sector involvement as another strategic solution.

Geopolitical changes in the region are affecting the higher education sector

Kazakhstan’s ambition to transform its education sector into a regional hub is a bold, timely, and geopolitically strategic initiative. Internal demographic pressures and growing demand for higher education across the region underline the importance of this direction. However, if the ambitious goals and official statements are not supported by concrete reforms, robust infrastructure, and academic credibility, the initiative risks falling short.

The influx of foreign universities and international students alone is insufficient. A truly robust educational ecosystem also requires highly qualified faculty, adherence to international standards, modern facilities, and a vibrant student life. If these policies are implemented with consistency and determination, Kazakhstan could not only diversify its economy but also strengthen its soft power in Central Asia. The challenge lies not in the ambition of the vision, but in the stability and perseverance required to realize it.

Nurbolat Nyshanbayev is an Assistant Professor, PhD at the Higher School of International Relations and Diplomacy,  Turan University, specialising in international security, diplomacy, and the geopolitics of the Middle East and Greater Eurasia.

Almaty, Kazakhstan

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