How Putin’s War affects the cost of living in Kazakhstan

Around three million Russians have migrated to Kazakhstan, leaving residents no chance to rent.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2023, many Russian families decided to emigrate in order to protect their fathers, brothers and sons from being called up for military service.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, there are 2.9 million Russians who have entered and stayed in Kazakhstan. The shared border of more than 7500 km between Russia and Kazakhstan has only made it more accessible. Before, the average of Russian immigrants was around 2,000-3,0000 a day. However, it has changed to 30,000 with the current situation.

Kazakhstan is considered to be the most stable economic and political partner with Russia among all post-Soviet countries. Nevertheless, it has openly demonstrated its disapproval of the war in Ukraine. The government doesn’t take sides and helps people in need regardless of their citizenship.

“In recent days, many people are arriving from Russia. Most of them have been forced to leave because they have no other way out of the situation. We must show them care and ensure their safety. It is a political and a humanitarian question” – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

There are two large cities in Kazakhstan that are highly populated with well-developed infrastructure, Astana and Almaty. Astana is the capital, whereas Almaty is the largest metropolis. Students in Kazakhstan travel and study between these two cities.

There are around 250,000 university and college students in just Almaty. It is clear that not everyone can secure a place in student accommodation, so the only other option is to rent.

Students pay starting from 300,000 tenge (£600) per month for an apartment in the centre of Almaty, which is already considered pricy.

However, for a one-bedroom apartment in an old and unrenovated building, students were paying around 170,000 tenge (£300) and higher.

Russian visitors and immigrants are only eligible to stay at a hotel or a rented property. The Kazakhstan Federation of Real Estate confirmed that landlords raised their prices to 25-50% in one day.

With high demand from Russians for any rented property, landlords began to increase their past rents even for already-staying tenants, who are primarily students.

Malika, a 20-year-old student at KIMEP University in Almaty, had to move from her old apartment as her landlord raised the rent to 250,000 tenge (£500) higher than it was before. She said:

“I spent my next two semesters living in the hotel as there were no other options. The funny thing is that the prices for the hotel rooms were much more reasonable rather than those ridiculous numbers for the rent”

Though, experts predict a decrease in the rent prices back to normal by the end of the summer. Students are facing the pressure of keeping a roof over their heads with only the ability to receive help from family or work as a part-timer.

Putin’s statements bring thousands of consequences. Even those that you wouldn’t expect the most. One day it affects Kazakh students, the next day it is someone new.