Why Kazakhstan remains ‘not free’ in 2025

Kazakhstan scored just 23 out of 100 in Freedom in the World 2025, an annual ranking by Freedom House, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization. Freedom House evaluates countries based on political rights and civil liberties, categorizing them as «Free,» «Partly Free» or «Not Free.» Kazakhstan’s score and its corresponding «Not Free» status have remained unchanged for the past five years.

In 2024, Kazakhstanis saw no improvement in their level of freedom. The country scored only 5 out of 40 for political rights and 18 out of 60 for civil liberties.

Experts attribute Kazakhstan’s stagnant ranking to the ongoing persecution of opposition members, widespread corruption and severely restricted freedom of speech.

Neighboring Uzbekistan and Russia each scored just 12 points in the 2025 ranking. Belarus and Azerbaijan received seven points, Tajikistan five and Turkmenistan only one. Kyrgyzstan, however, surpassed Kazakhstan by three points, with its freedom score rising to 26.

On Nov. 21, 2024, Alikhan Smailov, Kazakhstan’s former prime minister and current head of the Supreme Audit Chamber, stated that the government had not become more closed to the media since his departure. He claimed that ministers continue to actively engage with journalists and attend briefings.