Nearly half of Kazakhstan’s population aged 3 and above engages in physical activity and sports. According to a sample survey conducted among 12,000 households, the indicator increased compared with the previous year, El.kz reports citing the Bureau of National Statistics.
In 2026, 47.7% of Kazakhstan’s population engages in physical culture and sports. A year earlier, the share stood at 46.5%, representing an increase of 1.2 % points.
The statistics cover various forms of physical activity. 19.2% of respondents engage in exercise independently during their leisure time, while another 28.1% participate in physical activities at educational institutions. 0.4% are engaged in professional sports.
Urban residents more active than rural residents
A significant urban-rural gap remains. In urban areas, 49.3% of the population engages in physical activity, compared with 45.0% in rural areas.
At the same time, urban residents are considerably more likely to choose independent exercise during their leisure time. This form of physical activity is preferred by 22.2% of urban residents, compared with 13.7% in rural areas.
Which age groups exercise independently most often
Independent physical activity is most prevalent among people of middle age. The 36–48 age groupaccounts for 28.4% of those who exercise independently.
This is followed by people aged 17–28, at 18.6%. Among citizens aged 58 and over, the share is 16.6%; among those aged 29–35, 16.0%; and among people aged 49–57, 15.4%.
Regional differences are particularly pronounced among young people. In the 17–28 age group, the highest rates of independent physical activity were recorded in Mangystau region, where the share reached 48.1%, followed by Kyzylorda region at 31.0%, and Aktobe region and Ulytau region , both at 28.9%.
Among people aged 36–48, the highest rates were recorded in Pavlodar region at 42.6%, Zhambyl region at 40.8%, and Shymkent at 39.2%. In the 58-and-over age group, the highest figures were recorded in N Kazakhstan region, Kostanay region, and Almaty.
Men and women prefer different forms of physical activity
The gender distribution among those who exercise independently is nearly equal: 51.0% are men and 49.0% are women.
Among men, the most significant share is represented by the 36–48 age group, accounting for 14.4%of those who exercise independently. This is followed by citizens aged 17–28, at 11.3%, and those aged 29–35, at 9.1%.
Among women, the 36–48 age group also ranks first, at 13.9%. The second-highest share is recorded among women aged 58 and over, at 12.3%.
Urban and rural areas show different patterns
In urban areas, women are more likely than men to engage in independent physical exercise. Women account for 43.9%, compared with 34.5% among men.
In rural areas, the pattern is reversed. Independent exercise is reported by 54.6% of men and 32.7% of women.
Organized physical activities, including sports clubs and gyms, are attended by 8.7% of men and 6.6% of women. A further 2.5% of men and 1.5% of women combine participation in organized activities with independent exercise.
Where men and women exercise most frequently
Among men, the highest share of those engaging in independent exercise was recorded in Zhambyl region, at 68.5%. It was followed by Turkistan region at 66.2%, Kyzylorda region at 60.6%, and Zhetisu region at 56.9%.
Among women, Shymkent ranked first, at 53.8%, followed by Astana at 52.1%, Akmola region at 49.7%, and E Kazakhstan region at 46.3%.
Organized sports are most commonly chosen by men in Mangystau region, where the share reaches 25.3%. High rates were also recorded in Ulytau region, Karaganda region , and Almaty region.
Among women, organized physical activities are most prevalent in N Kazakhstan region, at 21.2%. This is followed by Pavlodar region at 17.5%, Almaty at 16.4%, and Karaganda region at 16.0%.
