21,325 ethnic Kazakhs returned to their historical homeland and obtained the status of "kandas" in 2023. 1,128,300 ethnic Kazakhs have returned to the Kazakhstan since 1991.

Uzbekistan accounted for the majority (50.3%) of the kandas that moved to Kazakhstan in the previous year, followed by China (21.5%), Mongolia (10.2%), Turkmenistan (9.2%), Russia (6.8%), and other countries (2%).

As of January 1, 2024, the proportion of economically active ethnic migrants is 60.2%, minors constitute 30.9%, and retirees make up 8.9% of the total.

Among economically active kandas, 15.3% have higher education, 32.4% have secondary specialized education, 44.3% have general secondary education, and 8% have no formal education.

The settled ethnic Kazakhs are distributed across various regions of the country. However, certain regions, including Akmola, Abay, Kostanay, Pavlodar, East, and North Kazakhstan regions, have been designated for kandas resettlement due to labor shortages.

According to 1st January, 2024, 2,337 kandas have been resettled in these regions, meeting the approved quota for 2023. Those relocating to these regions receive government support, including a one-time relocation subsidy of 70 Monthly Reference Amounts (241,500 KZT in 2023) per head and each family member, and monthly subsidies ranging from 15 to 30 Monthly Reference Amounts (51,700 to 103,500 KZT in 2023) for housing rental and utility payments for one year.

In 2023, a total of 2,126 kandas were recipients of different assistance measures. notably, a total of 735 individuals secured with permanent employment, while 2,126 individuals were granted one-time financial assistance, and 694 kandas had their housing expenses subsidized. 

To enhance the effectiveness of voluntary resettlement, institutional measures have been implemented to support employers participating in the relocation of citizens to northern regions. An Economic Mobility Certificate has been introduced, providing a one-time, non-repayable subsidy equivalent to 50% of the housing cost or up to 4 million KZT per family for purchasing, building, or covering part of the down payment for mortgage loans.

We recall that last year the experimental initiative "BIR TEREZE" was carried out to provide Kandas status through The Embassies of the Republic of Kazakhstan abroad.  In this format, 6,203 applications from ethnic Kazakhs have been accepted to date, allowing them to address issues related to visiting the country, employment, housing, and obtaining kandas status without physically entering the Kazakhstan.

Source: Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan