On 21 December, the National Analytical Center released the results of its year-end study on Kazakhstan’s key public figures, cultural achievements, and dominant associations of 2025, Zakon.kz reports.
Top Personalities of 2025
When asked to name the “Person of the Year,” respondents most frequently cited President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, reflecting broad recognition of his role as the nation’s central figure.
Other top figures included:
Players of the FC Kairat football club,
- Boxer Gennady Golovkin,
- Singer Dimash Kudaibergen,
- Paramedic Uldana Myrzaan,
- Hero Musa Abdraim, who rescued a female hostage at Almaty airport.
This diverse list underscores society’s appreciation for achievements across sports, culture, professionalism, and civic courage.
Cultural Trends of 2025
Domestic cinema continued to resonate with audiences, with top films addressing themes of family, justice, inner strength, and social responsibility — values widely shared today.
Among the most acclaimed releases were Auru, Ystyq Ūıa (Hearth), Patrol: Final Order, Offside, and others.
In music, Dimash Kudaibergen once again topped the list of “Best Kazakh Performers,” recognized for raising the country’s profile globally. Kairat Nurtaс was also named among the best.
The ranking further reflected generational diversity, featuring both rising stars — Sadraddin, ALEM, “Irina Kairatovna,” Yenlik, Alexander Lim, Raim, Moldanazar, NINETY ONE — and established icons like Meirambeck Bespaev, Roza Rymbaeva, and Makpal Junusova. This blend illustrates a harmonious evolution — from ethno-pop to contemporary urban sound — capturing both tradition and renewal.
Notably, Kazakh artists secured strong positions in Apple Music’s Top-100: Kazakhstan chart: ALEM’s “Kuiim” ranked #3, and Yenlik’s “16 Qyz” placed #10, competing alongside global stars.
Words of the Year: Development, Digitalisation, AI
Asked to identify the key concepts that defined 2025 for Kazakhstan, respondents overwhelmingly chose positive, future-oriented terms. The top words were:
- Development
- Digitalisation
- Artificial Intelligence
- Success
- Renewal
- Unity
Combining “Digitalisation” and “Artificial Intelligence,” the overarching narrative of 2025 emerges as distinctly technological.
Other frequent associations were equally optimistic: Improvement, Stability, Hope, Peace, Confidence, Justice. Neutral terms like Blue-Collar Professions or Reforms appeared less often, while negative descriptors — Difficult, Crisis, Stagnation — were rare.
Together, these responses form a clear semantic frame: Kazakh society associates 2025 primarily with progress, modernisation, and technological advancement.
New Year’s Celebrations
An overwhelming majority — 89% — plan to celebrate the New Year at home, surrounded by family, underscoring strong adherence to family values and tradition.
Experts’ Summary
“The conclusion of our 2025 review highlights key moments reflecting the hopes and achievements of Kazakh citizens, as well as optimism for the future,” analysts from the National Analytical Center stated. “The year was rich in both personal and collective victories — from sporting triumphs to cultural and social initiatives. Recognition of the President, athletes, and cultural figures confirms that Kazakhstan advanced across multiple spheres in 2025.”
Experts noted that social and technological reforms are becoming tangible realities for most citizens: digitalisation streamlines daily life; infrastructure upgrades enhance comfort; and social justice — exemplified by asset restitution efforts — yields visible results.
“Words like development, digitalisation, AI, and success emphasize a clear trend toward progress. Citizens remain positive, anticipating change and achievements in 2026. Thus, despite global challenges, 2025 proved to be a year of meaningful transformation. As Kazakhstan welcomes 2026, its people are optimistic and determined to foster sustainable development, technological innovation, and social prosperity,” the Center concluded.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
December 22, 2025