Kazakhstan leads Central Asia with over 50% women in science roles

Kazakhstan now has one of the highest rates of gender balance in science across Central Asia. Recent figures show that over half of its specialists with academic degrees are women. The country's progress reflects targeted efforts to support female researchers over the past five years.

The total number of specialists holding academic degrees in Kazakhstan stands at 120,896. Of these, 62,433 are women, accounting for 51.6% of the scientific workforce. This shift marks a significant increase from 2021, when women made up around 42% of researchers.

Between 2021 and 2025, the proportion of female scientists in Kazakhstan rose to 48%, surpassing regional averages. Neighboring countries like Uzbekistan (38–41%), Kyrgyzstan (35–37%), and Tajikistan (30–32%) report lower figures. Data from UNESCO and national statistics highlight Kazakhstan's stronger growth, driven by government-backed programs promoting women in science.

Kazakhstan's current figures place it ahead of many Central Asian countries in gender representation within science. With women now forming the majority of degree-holding researchers, the country's policies appear to have made a measurable impact. The trend suggests continued growth in female participation in the scientific sector.