ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 23. Kazakhstan’s
National Bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 18%,
Trend reports via
the NBK.
The interest rate corridor was set at +/- 1.0 percentage
points.
The NBK notes that inflation for the year 2025 was 12.3%, in
line with the forecast of the Bank. The largest contribution to
inflation continues to come from the food component (13.5%), with
significant price increases in meat and oil driven by rising
production costs and high export supplies. Non-food inflation has
slightly decreased (11.1%) amid the recent strengthening of the
exchange rate, while the growth in prices for paid services has
slowed (to 12.0%) due to administrative reductions in tariffs for
regulated housing and communal services.
Monthly inflation in December 2025 accelerated somewhat,
reaching 0.9%. Core inflation remains elevated at 0.8%. Inflation
continues to be shaped by a situation where sustained domestic
demand exceeds supply capabilities. Secondary effects of the tariff
reform and liberalization of the fuel market continue to influence
expectations and prices.
Anticipations regarding public inflation for the upcoming year
have escalated to 14.7% and continue to exhibit volatility.
Anticipations among industry professionals regarding inflation in
2026 have seen a modest uptick to 10.8%.
In October 2025, the NBK raised its benchmark interest rate from
16.5 percent to 18 percent.
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