Kazakhstan’s scientific sector is gaining momentum. According to updated 2024 data from the InCites analytics platform, the country’s research activity has grown significantly, reports Zakon.kz.
Bulat Kenesov, head of the Center for Science and Technology Development under the National Academy of Sciences, noted that 2024 marked a major step in integrating Kazakh science into the global research community.
Kazakh researchers published 3,176 articles and reviews in Web of Science-indexed journals in 2024 — a 20% increase from 2023. This allowed Kazakhstan to climb from 75th to 72nd place globally in terms of publication volume.
Progress was seen across key scientific fields:
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Natural sciences: 1,872 publications (+21%), ranking 66th globally
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Engineering and technology: 1,133 (+20%), ranking 66th
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Medicine and healthcare: 533 (+19%), ranking 81st
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Agricultural sciences: 205 (+24%), ranking 74th
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Social sciences: 332 (+3%), ranking 72nd
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Humanities and arts: 94 (+16%), ranking 62nd
Leading Kazakh universities by publication count:
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Nazarbayev University – 834 publications (ranked 1237th globally)
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Al-Farabi Kazakh National University – 571 (1617th)
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Gumilyov Eurasian National University – 391 (2047th)
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Satbayev University – 233 (2719th)
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Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University – 123 (3602nd)
Top research institutes:
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Institute of Nuclear Physics – 124 publications
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Institute of Mathematics and Mathematical Modeling – 81
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National Center for Biotechnology – 47
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Institute of Information and Computational Technologies – 36
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Institute of Combustion Problems – 34
Among government bodies, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education led with 1,258 publications. Other contributors include the Ministries of Agriculture, Energy, and Health.
Most publications appeared in high-ranking journals such as:
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Scientific Reports, Applied Sciences, Sustainability, Molecules, IEEE Access, and Polymers.
In total, Kazakh researchers published 798 papers in MDPI journals — 10% more than in 2023.
Despite a slight drop in MDPI’s share of total publications (from 28% to 25%), Kazakhstan ranked 8th globally among 163 countries publishing over 100 papers in indexed journals — ahead of many peers in Eastern and Southern Europe.
“These results show the dynamic development of national science and the success of research support measures. Kazakhstan met its 2024 goal of reaching 72nd place globally,” said Kenesov.
According to the national strategy, Kazakhstan aims to rise to 71st in 2025 and reach 65th by 2029.
Previously, Zakon.kz reported on a Kazakh school student being named the best young physicist in Europe.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
June 27, 2025