Entrepreneurship remains a priority in most economies, and particularly so in Kazakhstan as recognized in the 2050 Strategy document proclaimed by President Nazarbayev. There is widespread evidence that the growth engines of an economy are not large companies, but the many small entrepreneurs who launch their small and medium-sized businesses. NUGSB has recently joined GEM (The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor). GEM is the largest research project on Entrepreneurship in the world. The project assesses across countries the motives and aspirations of (potential) entrepreneurs as well as the attitudes of those around them, i.e. the climate for entrepreneurship in society. Initiated in 1999 as a partnership between London Business School and Babson College, the first study covered 10 countries. Since then nearly 100 ‘National Teams’ from every corner of the globe have participated in the project, which continues to grow annually. NUGSB is now the National Team of Kazakhstan.
The GEM research in Kazakhstan was conducted in collaboration with Economic Research Institute until 2018. Since 2019 this project is run by the Graduate School of Business.
An analysis of the data reveals a mostly positive assessment of entrepreneurs as a social stratum. Kazakhstan’s population sees entrepreneurs as successful people with high status in society. More often young people indicate entrepreneurship as career choice. 68,9% respondents in Kazakhstan regards entrepreneurship as new opportunity, and 52,1% believe they have necessary knowledge and skills to start business. The young people aged 25-34 are the most active and represent the largest proportion of potential entrepreneurs. This report also reveals gender aspects of entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. Research suggests that male entrepreneurs engage into entrepreneurial activity to develop business opportunity, while female entrepreneurs start business out of necessity. The largest proportion of new entrepreneurs develop their business in wholesale and retail (46,6%), agriculture (11,4), healthcare, education, public and social services (17,6%). In terms of regional distribution respondents of North Kazakhstan, Kostanay, West Kazakhstan, South Kazakhstan and Akmola regions are the most positive in assessing their possibilities to start business. Interestingly to note that rural population is more optimistic about engaging in entrepreneurial activity and more confident in their knowledge and skills compared to urban population.
Graduate School of Business, Nazarbayev University:
Dr. Venkata S. Subramanian
Dr. Yerken Turganbayev
Dr. Shumaila Yousafzai
External experts
Nurlan Kulbatyrov
Chingiz Tourez
- For more information about GEM Kazakhstan please contact