ALMATY RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT: Independent research on air quality in Almaty

Concern over air quality in Almaty is rising, reflected in the results of the first large-scale public survey by Almaty Air Initiative. The survey of 1,000 respondents revealed that 42% believe air in their areas is in poor or very poor condition. In contrast, residents of Nauryzbay and Medeu districts are more optimistic (29% and 31% respectively), while in Zhetysu district 56% are dissatisfied with local air quality.

The problem is worsening yearly: 57% of Almaty residents say air quality has significantly deteriorated over the past 2–3 years, and 44% expect further decline in coming years.

The main sources of discomfort cited are dust and dirt, smog and haze, plus the smell of exhaust fumes and chemicals.
“I feel that every time I step outside I breathe something unhealthy,” says 35-year-old Aliya from Zhetysu district.
“Every day I notice more smog and dust. It really affects our health.”

Differences by District

Views vary significantly by district. Medeu and Nauryzbay are considered “relatively safe”: 10% and 8% of respondents rate air quality as excellent, whereas in Auezov, Alatau, and Turksib this figure is just 2–3%. Still, 29–31% in these “relatively safe” districts rate air quality as poor to very poor. Interestingly, residents from less privileged districts are often unaware how to monitor air quality, endangering their health.

Health Risks: How Polluted Air Affects Well‑Being

A key survey finding is threat perception: two-thirds believe polluted air is a serious danger to children’s health, and 45%think so about adults.
In Zhetysu, 75% consider air pollution dangerous for children—higher than the 66% citywide average.

Two-thirds (60%) reported noticing smells or smog on the streets this summer.
Dust and dirt were associated with air quality by 48%; smog/haze by 33%, and smells of burning, exhaust, or chemicals by 23%.

Among respondents, 54% said they have no chronic illnesses. Among those who do: weakened immunity (21%), chronic respiratory issues (20%), cardiovascular disease (13%), and neurological disorders (7%).

Many link their symptoms to air quality: 41% report headaches, fatigue, or dizziness; 35% have respiratory symptoms like cough or shortness of breath; 34% mention allergies; 30% report eye/nose/throat irritation; 26% note general malaise.

Behaviorally, one‑third limit time outdoors on heavily polluted days, and two‑thirds choose recreation spots based on air quality. Yet only 37% actually stay indoors, just 20% use home air purifiers, and 32% take no precautions during heavy pollution. Why?

Awareness & Trust

74% don’t know how to check air quality, relying on subjective impressions. Among those who think they know, 40%base it on smell or visibility. Only 23% use apps like AirVisual or AirKZ. Among ages 18–24 and over 55, this rises to 80%.

By district, awareness varies: in Bostandyk and Medeu, more know air monitoring methods, but 69% and 62% still don’t. In Alatau and Zhetysu, 86% and 81% lack this knowledge.

“With growing discontent about air quality, especially in the worst areas, access to reliable data is vital. Many experience symptoms tied to pollution, but lack objective tools to judge the situation.”
— Zhuldiz Saulebekova, Almaty Air Initiative Executive Director.

55% distrust official statements on air improvement; only 7% know of any related projects.

When asked about government measures, 32% called them ineffective, and 30% said very ineffective—fostering distrust and pessimism.

Brain Drain & Future Plans

“Our study confirms that air pollution is not just lowering quality of life; it’s contributing to brain drain and economic loss,” says Saulebekova.

17% say they seriously consider relocation due to air quality. This doubles to 35% among those earning over 600k tenge; those earning less than 300k: only 5–8%.

One in four entrepreneurs also considers moving.
26% of parents with children are seriously considering relocation, compared to 13% of those without—posing a demographic challenge.

“We’re trying to protect our kids; this environment makes it harder,” says Aliya.

45% would leave Almaty in winter if possible—signaling rising mobility and uncertainty about Almaty’s future. Talent and entrepreneur flight threatens its regional competitiveness.

“We must act now to avoid further decline,” states 45-year-old Stanislav, ready to leave if he could.

Despite concern, 18% are optimistic air quality will improve—especially in Nauryzbay, where 28% expect positive change.
However, the majority—44%—believe it will worsen.

Public Demand for Real Action

Residents of Almaty understand that solving the problem does not rest solely on the shoulders of the authorities, but also requires collective action. Among the measures proposed by city residents to improve air quality, special attention is given to:

• Reducing emissions from automobiles — 58% of respondents consider this a key factor. In addition, 42% note the importance of developing public transportation.
• Increasing green spaces and parks — 56% are confident that this will help reduce pollution levels.
• Transitioning to environmentally friendly types of fuel and converting CHPs to gas — these measures are supported by 48% and 49% of respondents respectively.

We also asked city residents to share their vision of how to improve the environmental situation.

Transport became one of the priority topics for residents, who proposed reducing the number of cars and introducing restrictions on entry by license plate numbers or days (16%). Residents also suggest more active use of public transportation (10%), switching to electric vehicles (7%) and environmentally friendly public transport (8%), gasifying transport/switching to environmentally friendly types of fuel (4%), traveling by bicycles and scooters (4%). Some respondents advocated maintaining good vehicle quality (2%), strict control of exhaust emissions (1%), families purchasing fewer cars (1%), as well as banning the import of old cars/driving old cars (1%). Walking more was suggested by 3% of respondents.

Factories and industrial enterprises also raised concerns. Residents proposed implementing filtration systems (9%), strengthening control over construction work/not building high-rise buildings (9%), as well as strengthening control over the quality of harmful emissions at industrial enterprises (2%) and installing new equipment/filtration at enterprises (2%).

The environment received significant attention from residents. The main proposals include greening the city (18%) and maintaining cleanliness (17%), restoring the wind rose (4%), not burning trash/rubber (8%), sorting waste (2%), and not using coal (1%). Proposals were also voiced to improve public spaces, reduce the number of shashlik eateries, and conduct free courses and lectures (a total of 3%).

The state and laws play an equally important role: 2% of residents believe it is necessary to interact more actively with the authorities and raise this issue.

Air pollution in Almaty has become not just an environmental problem, but an issue on which the future of the city depends. The study showed that the deterioration of air quality not only affects the health of residents, but also causes alarming social consequences, such as the growth of migration sentiments, brain drain, and distrust in the state. It is important that city authorities and society join forces to address this problem by implementing real measures to improve the situation and creating living conditions in which clean air becomes the norm rather than the exception. Almaty has the potential to return to its status as a comfortable and clean city to live in, and the future of the city depends on whether its residents and authorities are ready to act right now.