Photo: Dmitry A. Mottl (original) This derivative work (cropped): SHB2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Kazakhstan: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
Kazakhstan is placed 177th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 13.94 (2024); Water Stress 33.57 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
177th
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Kazakhstan on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
13.94
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
Kazakhstan: 13.94. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in Central Asia
- 1.014 Tajikistan
- Land neighbours
- China 8.658 · Kyrgyzstan 1.638 · Russia 12.29 · Turkmenistan 10.81 · Uzbekistan 3.829
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
33.57
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
Kazakhstan: 33.57. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in Central Asia
- 33.57 Kazakhstan
- Land neighbours
- China 41.59 · Kyrgyzstan 49.72 · Russia 4.16 · Turkmenistan 135.21 · Uzbekistan 123.03
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
0.13
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
Kazakhstan: 0.13. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in Central Asia
- 1.71 Tajikistan
- Land neighbours
- China 0.92 · Kyrgyzstan 0.16 · Russia 0.05 · Uzbekistan 0.02
No reading
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
Global Footprint Network publishes no 2025 figure for Kazakhstan, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in Central Asia
- 1.033 Tajikistan
- Land neighbours
- China 3.757 · Russia 5.393 · Turkmenistan 4.234 · Uzbekistan 2.295
02Over time
Which way Kazakhstan is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
KazakhstanWorld median
Kazakhstan rose from 9.173 in 2000 to 13.94 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year Kazakhstan World median 2024 13.94 3.210 2023 14.08 3.145 2022 13.69 3.162 2021 12.40 3.087 2020 14.46 2.903 2019 15.41 3.273 2018 17.41 3.036 2017 17.03 3.049 2016 16.43 2.894 2015 16.76 2.846 2014 16.79 2.919 2013 14.44 2.779 2012 14.17 2.770 2011 13.96 2.748 2010 14.74 2.812 2009 13.43 2.799 2008 13.76 2.979 2007 13.88 2.593 2006 13.64 2.865 2005 12.43 2.885 2004 11.70 2.802 2003 11.11 2.918 2002 10.01 2.785 2001 8.86 2.726 2000 9.17 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
KazakhstanWorld median
Kazakhstan rose from 29.12 in 2000 to 33.57 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year Kazakhstan World median 2023 33.57 10.000 2022 34.40 10.190 2021 33.78 10.460 2020 34.10 10.460 2019 32.62 10.890 2018 32.65 10.460 2017 31.14 10.460 2016 30.00 10.460 2015 30.04 10.190 2014 32.01 10.460 2013 32.05 10.460 2012 31.34 10.460 2011 29.68 10.460 2010 30.51 10.710 2009 33.09 10.960 2008 28.39 10.815 2007 31.65 11.180 2006 29.46 10.430 2005 34.39 10.250 2004 32.78 10.715 2003 31.85 10.370 2002 30.87 10.180 2001 28.90 10.130 2000 29.12 10.070 Organic Agricultural Area
Organic share of agricultural land (%) · higher is better
KazakhstanWorld median
Kazakhstan rose from 0.07 in 2008 to 0.13 in 2024; the world median went from 0.29 to 0.725.
Every year’s figures
Year Kazakhstan World median 2024 0.13 0.725 2023 0.09 0.780 2022 0.05 0.740 2021 0.05 0.710 2020 0.05 0.665 2019 0.14 0.550 2018 0.09 0.490 2017 0.13 0.630 2016 0.14 0.545 2015 0.14 0.540 2014 0.13 0.470 2013 0.13 0.440 2012 0.13 0.480 2011 0.09 0.460 2010 0.06 0.330 2009 0.06 0.335 2008 0.07 0.290 2007 — 0.370 2006 — 0.305 2005 — 0.345
03In context
Kazakhstan beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
Kazakhstan and the countries it borders
Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kyrgyzstan | 147th | 1.638 | 49.72 | 0.16 | — |
 China | 157th | 8.658 | 41.59 | 0.92 | 3.757 |
 Russia | =166th | 12.29 | 4.16 | 0.05 | 5.393 |
 Uzbekistan | =166th | 3.829 | 123.03 | 0.02 | 2.295 |
| Kazakhstan | 177th | 13.94 | 33.57 | 0.13 | — |
 Turkmenistan | 179th | 10.81 | 135.21 | — | 4.234 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below Kazakhstan in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Kazakhstan is ahead of the world, and behind
41 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median9
Statistics on which Kazakhstan does better than the middle country measured.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 00.620▲ Improved since 2015
Kazakhstan: 0.62 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.3550.45▼ Worsened since 2014
Kazakhstan: 0.355 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 30th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.171.734.17▲ Improved since 2015
Kazakhstan: 1.73 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 161st of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.1835.6918.18▲ Improved since 2015
Kazakhstan: 35.69 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4456.4447.44No real change since 2014
Kazakhstan: 56.44 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 44th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9660.5620.966No earlier reading
Kazakhstan: 0.562 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.
Position 150th of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 54.15No earlier reading
Kazakhstan: 4.1 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 102nd of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,5283,2122,528▼ Worsened since 2012
Kazakhstan: 3,212 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 79th of 181 · derived.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.6870.678▲ Improved since 2013
Kazakhstan: 0.687 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 72nd of 156 · derived.
Behind the world median8
Statistics on which Kazakhstan does worse than the middle country measured.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5651.621.565▼ Worsened since 2013
Kazakhstan: 1.62 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 92nd of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.863.463.8No earlier reading
Kazakhstan: 63.4 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 51st of 99 by World Energy Council.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4515.714.45▲ Improved since 2013
Kazakhstan: 15.7 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 99th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6632.5121.663No earlier reading
Kazakhstan: 2.512 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.18.6316.1No real change since 2013
Kazakhstan: 8.63 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.142.673.14▲ Improved since 2015
Kazakhstan: 2.67 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 140th of 186 · derived.
Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.389-0.2058.389▼ Worsened since 2011
Kazakhstan: -0.205 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.
Position 95th of 118 · derived.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7386.6542.738No real change since 2014
Kazakhstan: 6.654 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
No better end24
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1091.4590.109No real change since 2013
Kazakhstan: 1.459 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 1st of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4743.2941.474Moved since 2015
Kazakhstan: 3.294 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9679.3737.96No real change since 2013
Kazakhstan: 79.37 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 7th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,27816,277,911689,278No real change since 2013
Kazakhstan: 16,277,911 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 8th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.70826.841.708Moved since 2011
Kazakhstan: 26.84 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 15th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 52513,291525No earlier reading
Kazakhstan: 13,291 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.692,216325.69Moved since 2015
Kazakhstan: 2,216 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,8241,553,18413,824Moved since 2015
Kazakhstan: 1,553,184 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.7958.0412.79No real change since 2013
Kazakhstan: 58.04 · world median 12.79 · Consumption-based fossil CO₂ (million tonnes of carbon). Global Carbon Project, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.882 to 2,963.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1001,418100No earlier reading
Kazakhstan: 1,418 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1441.1960.144Moved since 2014
Kazakhstan: 1.196 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,63527,9508,635No real change since 2013
Kazakhstan: 27,950 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 57th of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8364.957.83No real change since 2013
Kazakhstan: 64.9 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Environmentally Related Tax RevenueOECD · 2024 · world median 1.0751.141.075Moved since 2014
Kazakhstan: 1.14 · world median 1.075 · Environmentally related tax revenue (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 3.346.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,37565,01352,375Moved since 2014
Kazakhstan: 65,013 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,7753,9633,775Moved since 2015
Kazakhstan: 3,963 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1456.7562.14No real change since 2012
Kazakhstan: 56.75 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 94th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.660.833.66No earlier reading
Kazakhstan: 0.83 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.
Position 89th of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.730.291.73Moved since 2014
Kazakhstan: 0.29 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 153rd of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.081.31231.08No real change since 2013
Kazakhstan: 1.312 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 192nd of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.95402.954No real change since 1990
Kazakhstan: 0 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.63-1.53137.63No real change since 2013
Kazakhstan: -1.531 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.363.87987.36No real change since 2013
Kazakhstan: 3.879 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 176th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.040.535No real change since 2013
Kazakhstan: 0.04 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 185th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Kazakhstan
Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Coal Share of Electricity Generation, Ecological Footprint, Low-Carbon Share of Electricity Generation, Mangrove Area, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation, Solar Share of Electricity Generation, Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation and Wind and Solar Share of Electricity Generation. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Environment & Sustainability among Kazakhstan’s 15 topics
Environment & Sustainability is Kazakhstan’s 15th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Poverty & Inequality14th of 1593/3 keys
- Development & Human Capital44th of 1963/3 keys
- Digital & Technology49th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience61st of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation65th of 1764/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing75th of 2003/4 keys
- Work & Labour69th of 1824/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge76th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 91st of 1834/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions99th of 1944/4 keys
- Peace & Security97th of 1774/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade99th of 1772/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture107th of 1844/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties138th of 1984/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability177th of 1863/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Kazakhstan can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Palestine24th2/4 keysHighest in Central Asia
Tajikistan69th4/4 keysThis page
Kazakhstan177th3/4 keys
Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Kazakhstan on environment & sustainability: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Kazakhstan rank on environment & sustainability?
Kazakhstan is placed 177th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress and Organic Agricultural Area). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Kazakhstan?
13.94 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for Kazakhstan?
33.57 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How does Kazakhstan compare with China on environment & sustainability?
China is placed 157th of 186, and Kazakhstan 177th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: China 8.658, Kazakhstan 13.94; Water Stress: China 41.59, Kazakhstan 33.57; Organic Agricultural Area: China 0.92, Kazakhstan 0.13.
How have Kazakhstan’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita rose from 9.173 in 2000 to 13.94 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 29.12 in 2000 to 33.57 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area rose from 0.07 in 2008 to 0.13 in 2024.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Kazakhstan?
No current reading is published for Kazakhstan on Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Coal Share of Electricity Generation, Ecological Footprint, Low-Carbon Share of Electricity Generation, Mangrove Area, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation, Solar Share of Electricity Generation, Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation and Wind and Solar Share of Electricity Generation. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 41 statistics on this page come from 17 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Kazakhstan’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Kazakhstan (banner) — Dmitry A. Mottl (original) This derivative work (cropped): SHB2000, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Kazakhstan: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/kazakhstan/environment