End of the “bazaar era” in Kazakhstan?

The National Bureau of Statistics has released data on the number of bazaars operating in Kazakhstan in 2025, NUR.KZ reports.

By the end of 2025, Kazakhstan had 588 registered markets, 38 fewer than in 2024.

Most of these markets are located in urban areas (417) compared to 171 in rural areas.

The regions with the largest number of markets were:

• Turkestan Region — 103
• Almaty Region — 57
• Aktobe Region — 53

The fewest markets were registered in Ulytau Region (6 markets).

The number of trading spots also declined, reaching 147,600 in 2025 (down from 150,800 in 2024).

By region, the most trading spots were in:

• Almaty — 26,500
• Zhambyl Region — 19,800
• Almaty Region — 17,200

Out of the total 588 markets, 265 were owned by legal entities and 323 by individual entrepreneurs.

Among them:

• 9 markets were communal
• 323 were covered markets
• 222 were specialised markets, and 366 were universal markets (selling various goods)

By transaction type:

• 39 markets operated as wholesale
• 549 operated as retail