Kazakhstan postpones utility tariff increases to slow inflation

ASTANA. July 8 (Interfax) - The Kazakh government will delay planned utility rate increases to help curb accelerating inflation, the government's press service said.

"Paid services have become a main driver of inflation, which rose 16.1% in the first half of the year. The government has decided to adjust the timeline for utility rate increases, postponing some hikes until later dates. This will help to reduce financial pressure on households and stabilize inflation," it said.

June's monthly inflation slowed to 0.8% from May's 0.9%, though year-on-year inflation accelerated to 11.8% from 11.3%, respectively.

According to the National Statistics Bureau, in June 2025 tariffs for cold water supply rose 96.3% compared with June 2024, sewage 34.6%, central heating 19.2%, domestic gas supply 15.5%, hot water supply 15.1%, electricity 12.5% and housing maintenance 12.7%.