Number of Kazakhs returning to historical homeland since 1991
Back to the land of their roots, ethnic Kazakhs have been returning to Kazakhstan in droves. In 2025 alone, 3,203 individuals embraced their heritage, earning the title of 'Oralman'. Since 1991, over 1.15 million ethnic Kazakhs have chosen to come home to the republic. Let's take a peek at where these Oralmans originate and who they are.
Geographically, the majority of Oralmans hail from China (48.1%), followed by Uzbekistan (39.5%), Turkmenistan (5.8%), Mongolia (2.5%), Russia (1.9%), and other countries (2.2%).
So, who are these modern Oralmans? As of April 1, 2025, the working-age demographic accounts for 60.7% of the returning ethnic Kazakhs, while minors make up 31.1%, and pensioners only 8.2%.
Among the employed Oralmans, 17.9% hold higher education, 27.8% possess secondary vocational training, 52.9% are secondary education graduates, while 1.4% have no formal education.
The regions warmly welcoming these Oralmans include the Akmolinsk, Akmolinsk, Kostanay, Pavlodar, Atyrau, West Kazakhstan, East Kazakhstan, and North Kazakhstan regions. The quota for Oralman resettlement in these regions for 2025 stands at 2,309 individuals.
In support of their new beginning, the government offers a range of benefits, such as a one-time payment of 70 MCI (approximately 275,200 tenge) per family member for relocation and a monthly allowance of 15-30 MCI (59,000-118,000 tenge) for housing and utility expenses for a year.
Interestingly, earlier reports suggested that Oralmans and internal migrants would be restricted from working outside of the resettlement regions. However, the latest rules, developed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, offer more flexibility.
Want to read more about the Oralman journey? Check out "Those who come here start taking pictures." - the fascinating story of a Chinese migrant who transformed a Kazakh village!
- The majority of Oralmans, the ethnic Kazakhs who have returned to their homeland, originate from China, followed by Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Russia, and other countries.
- As of April 1, 2025, the majority of Oralmans are working-age individuals, with minors and pensioners making up smaller percentages.
- Among the employed Oralmans, a significant number hold higher education, secondary vocational training, or secondary education, with a smaller percentage having no formal education.
- The regions of Akmolinsk, Akmolinsk, Kostanay, Pavlodar, Atyrau, West Kazakhstan, East Kazakhstan, and North Kazakhstan are the primary locations for Oralman resettlement in 2025.
- The government provides benefits such as a one-time payment for relocation and a monthly allowance for housing and utility expenses to support Oralmans in their new residence.
- Initially, there were restrictions on Oralmans and internal migrants working outside of the resettlement regions, but newer rules developed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection offer more flexibility.
- For a captivating account of a Chinese migrant's journey in Kazakhstan, read "Those who come here start taking pictures," a compelling story of transformation in a Kazakh village.
