How Almaty residents perceive smog: results of the annual Almaty Air Initiative survey

The Almaty Air Initiative Foundation presents results of its second annual study examining how Almaty residents perceive the city’s air quality and how they experience its impact on their daily lives.

Last year, the AAI team conducted its first public opinion survey on air quality to better understand how residents were aware of the issue and how concerned they felt about it. The new survey reveals how public perceptions have evolved over the past year: awareness is increasing, but so is concern.

The study was conducted through a survey of 1,000 Almaty residents aged 18 and over representing different income levels, educational backgrounds, and social groups. Its purpose was not only to capture public sentiment but also to identify what residents consider to be the main sources of air pollution and what solutions they expect from both the government and society.

Key Insights

• Residents are becoming increasingly concerned about air quality in Almaty. 63% of respondents said they are concerned about air pollution, while the share of those dissatisfied with air quality increased from 42% in 2024 to 50% in 2025. Every second resident considers the city’s air quality poor, while only 14% describe it as good. Six out of ten Almaty residents believe that air quality has deteriorated over the past two to three years.
• Growing concern is also reflected in migration intentions: 25% of residents are seriously considering moving away because of environmental conditions (17% last year), while among high-income respondents this figure reaches 41%. The higher the level of concern, the greater the likelihood that residents want to leave the city.
• Nearly one in two residents (49% vs 45% a year earlier) would like to leave Almaty during the winter because of smog, while 12% already do so every year. Air pollution is affecting people’s quality of life. Those who leave Almaty during winter are more likely to report fatigue, headaches, allergies, and respiratory problems.
• 80% of respondents reported experiencing negative health effects from polluted air, with fatigue, allergies, headaches, and respiratory issues being the most commonly reported symptoms.
• According to residents, motor vehicles remain the primary source of air pollution (82%), followed by coal-fired combined heat and power plants (CHPs) (45%) and natural factors, including disruptions to prevailing wind patterns (42%).
• Public awareness has improved over the past year: 18% of residents now know where to check air quality information, compared with 10% in 2024. However, most people still rely on personal observations, such as smell, visibility, and the density of smog. One-third of residents take no protective measures during periods of severe air pollution, highlighting need for public awareness campaigns on air quality monitoring and personal protection.
• More than half of respondents (53%) do not trust official statements on environmental issues. The older and more affluent the respondent, the higher the level of distrust. At the same time, public priorities remain unchanged: converting CHPs to natural gas, reducing transport emissions, expanding green spaces, and strengthening oversight of construction activities.
• While 15% of respondents believe that only the government can solve the city’s air pollution problem, the majority are willing to contribute personally by keeping the city clean, avoiding the burning of waste and plastic, participating in urban greening initiatives, using public transport more frequently, switching to electric vehicles, converting private homes to gas heating, and reducing private car use.

Concern About Air Quality Continues to Grow

Air pollution remains one of the most pressing issues for Almaty residents: nearly two-thirds (63%) reported being either very or extremely concerned about it.

Women are more likely than men to express concern (36% VS 29%), while men are almost twice as likely to say that the issue does not concern them at all (9% VS 5% among women).

The highest level of concern is observed among respondents aged 55–64, with 44% saying they are extremely concerned about air pollution. 

By district, the highest levels of concern were recorded in Medeu (44%), Alatau (36%), and Zhetysu (34%), where residents most frequently report smog, dust, and the smell of smoke. The lowest levels of concern were observed in Nauryzbay (25%), Turksib (27%), and Almaly (31%) districts.

   

Education also influences perceptions. Concern is higher among respondents with higher education (37% are extremely concerned), reaching its highest level among those holding master’s degrees (41%). In contrast, only 21% of respondents with secondary education or below reported being highly concerned.

Families with children remain particularly sensitive to the issue. Among parents with three or more children, 45% said they were extremely concerned about air pollution, compared with 31% of respondents without children. Concern also increases with income: among respondents earning more than KZT 1 million per month, concern reaches 76%, compared with only 29% among those earning less than KZT 100,000.

According to the survey, every second Almaty resident rates the city’s air quality as poor, while another third describe it as satisfactory. Only 14% consider the air quality to be good or very good, down from 18% a year earlier.

The share of residents dissatisfied with air quality increased from 42% to 50%, reflecting a worsening perception of air quality across the city

By administrative district, residents of Almaly and Alatau districts were the most critical, with 27–28% rating air quality in their district as very poor.  This is significantly higher than the citywide average (19%). Not a single respondent from Turksib District described the air quality as very good. 

At the same time, the highest level of concern was recorded in Medeu District. The proportion of residents who are extremely concerned reaches 44% in Medeu, 36% in Alatau, and 34% in Zhetysu. These are also the districts where complaints about dense smog, dust, and the smell of smoke are reported most frequently. In other districts concern is noticeably lower. Nauryzbay (25%), Turksib (27%), and Almaly (31%) may be considered the least concerned districts, where residents are less likely to perceive air pollution as a serious threat.

Regarding changes in air quality over time, six out of ten Almaty residents believe that the city’s air has become worse over the past two to three years. 63% of respondents reported that air quality has deteriorated during this period. This trend is observed across all districts, although the degree of optimism varies.

Residents of Alatau (64%), Bostandyk (65%), and Medeu (66%) districts were the most critical, most frequently stating that the air has become significantly dirtier than before. Fewer respondents in Nauryzbay (52%) and Turksib (54%) believe that the situation continues to worsen. The highest proportion of respondents who believe that air quality has improved was recorded in Zhetysu District (9%), while Alatau and Turksib had the lowest shares of such responses, at just 3.3% and 3.5%, respectively.

Migration Intent Is Growing

According to the 2025 survey, six in ten residents (60%) have considered leaving the city because of environmental conditions at least once, while one in four (25%) have seriously considered doing so. For comparison, only 17% reported seriously considering relocation a year earlier, indicating a significant increase in both concern and migration intentions.

High-income residents are the most likely to consider relocating: among those earning more than KZT 1 million per month, 41% have seriously considered moving away vs 21% of those earning up to KZT 100,000.

A similar pattern is observed across education levels: the higher the level of education, the greater the willingness to relocate. Among respondents holding master’s or doctoral degrees, 28% have seriously considered leaving the city, compared with 20% among those with secondary education.

Age also plays a role: migration intentions are strongest among young and middle-aged adults (25–44 years), with up to 30% considering relocation, while the share drops to 17% among respondents aged 65 and over.

Concern is also higher among families with children: between 28% and 30% of parents with one or two children have seriously considered relocating, compared with 23% of respondents without children.

The survey reveals a clear relationship between concern about air quality and the intention to move. Among respondents who are not concerned at all about air pollution, only 3% have seriously considered relocating, while 87% have never considered it.

As concern increases, so does the share of potential migrants, among those who are extremely concerned about air pollution, 41% have seriously considered leaving the city.

Nearly one in two Almaty residents (49%) said they would like to leave the city during the winter because of smog if they had the opportunity, compared with 45% last year. Also 12% of respondents already do so every year to avoid winter air pollution, while 40% remain in Almaty despite worsening environmental conditions during the colder months. These findings suggest that, for a significant share of the population, smog has become a factor that directly affects lifestyle choices and quality of life.

The study also found a direct link between health and the desire to leave the city. Residents who leave Almaty during the winter experience consequences of air pollution: about half report headaches, fatigue, allergies, and respiratory problems.

These findings confirm that the greater the concern for one’s health and quality of life, the more likely residents are to consider relocating. Air pollution is becoming not only an environmental issue but also a socio-demographic factor affecting Almaty’s long-term sustainability as a metropolitan city.

Everyday Effects of Air Pollution

Most Almaty residents experience the effects of polluted air in their daily lives, ranging from visible smog to deteriorating health. The most commonly reported manifestations are smog and haze (58%), smell of smoke or vehicle exhaust (53%), dust and dirt (51%). Residents also frequently report allergic reactions (43%) and breathing difficulties (32%).

For many Almaty residents, smog has become part of everyday life. Every third resident (35%) experiences it daily in the form of dense haze, the smell of smoke, or heavy air. The highest proportions were recorded in Turksib (43%), Nauryzbay (42%), and Zhetysu (41%) districts, where residents most frequently encounter direct signs of air pollution.

During periods of severe air pollution, one-third of residents (35%) take no protective measures.
Others rely on simple precautions: staying indoors (31%), using air purifiers (23%), wearing face masks (15%). 

The most proactive age group is 25–34-year-olds: 36% use air purifiers and 16% wear masks. Despite being generally more informed, young people aged 18–24 are the least likely to protect themselves: 45% take no measures to reduce their exposure to polluted air. Among older age groups, approximately one-third also take no protective action.

The higher the level of education and income, the greater use of protective measures. Among respondents with secondary education, 52% take no action, compared with only 29% among those holding a master’s degree. In households earning more than KZT 1 million per month, 41% use air purifiers, while only 17% of households earning less than KZT 100,000 do so.

During periods of severe air pollution, families with children most commonly protect themselves by staying indoors (up to 39%) and using air purifiers (up to 35%). 

Overall, most Almaty residents rely on simple protective measures, while access to more effective forms of protection varies significantly by age, education, and income.

Health and Well-being: Fatigue, Allergies, and Coughing Have Become Part of Everyday Life

Eight out of ten residents report experiencing negative health effects from polluted air, while only one in five say they do not notice any symptoms. The most commonly reported symptoms include headaches, fatigue, and dizziness (40%), allergic reactions (39%), irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat (36%), breathing problems (35%), high blood pressure (23%), and an overall deterioration in well-being (30%).

The greatest health burden is borne by economically most active segment of the population – people aged 25–44. This group records the highest prevalence across nearly all symptoms: up to 46% report headaches and fatigue, up to 45% experience eye and nasal irritation, around 40% suffer from coughing and shortness of breath, and 42–43% report allergies. 

The study found a direct link between health and the desire to leave the city. Among residents who leave Almaty during the winter, only 8% report no symptoms. The remainder experience the consequences of air pollution, with about half reporting headaches, fatigue, allergies, and respiratory problems. Even among those who are only considering relocation, symptom prevalence remains high: up to 54% report headaches and fatigue, 52% report allergies, and 51% experience breathing problems. 

Residents’ Health and Vulnerability

Nearly half of Almaty residents (44%) reported having health conditions that increase their vulnerability to air pollution. The most commonly reported conditions include chronic respiratory diseases (21%), weakened immune systems (19%), and cardiovascular diseases (12%). Neurological disorders (6%) were reported less frequently, while less than 1% had undergone chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

The distribution across districts shows noticeable differences in the prevalence of chronic illnesses. The highest share of respondents with chronic respiratory conditions was recorded in Alatau (24%) and Zhetysu (24%) districts, followed closely by Bostandyk (23%) and Medeu (20%). The lowest rates were observed in Turksib and Auezov districts (both 16%). Cardiovascular diseases were reported most frequently by residents of Almaly (16%) and Medeu (13%), while the lowest rates were recorded in Alatau (8%) and Auezov (9%).

Overall, Almaty residents tend to assess their health positively: 19% rate their health as excellent, 40% as good, 33% as satisfactory, and only 9% as poor. Overall, most residents consider themselves relatively healthy, although nearly one in ten rates their health as poor.

Public Awareness 

Almaty residents have become better informed about air quality, although the overall level of engagement remains low. Share of respondents who know where to check air quality information increased from 10% to 18% over the past year. The proportion of those who have heard about air quality information sources but are unsure where to find them remained almost unchanged, increasing slightly from 12% to 14%. Meanwhile, the share of residents who do not know where to access air quality information declined from 74% to 68%. These findings indicate progress in both awareness and interest in air quality information. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of residents still do not know where to access reliable air quality data, despite the growing availability of monitoring platforms and digital tools.

Most residents continue to rely on their own observations: 39% judge air quality based on the smell of smoke or the visibility of smog. The most informed groups are younger and middle-aged adults. Among respondents aged 25–34, 24% know where to check air quality information, compared with 21% among those aged 35–44. The lowest levels of awareness are observed among older respondents: only 13% of those aged 55–64 and just 8% of those aged 65 and above know where to find air quality information.

Sources of Information: 30% use websites, 23% use mobile applications, 21% rely on social media, 9% get information from home air quality sensors, and only 7% rely on official information sources.

Age differences reveal a pronounced digital divide. Young adults aged 18–24 are the most digitally engaged: 44% use websites, 32% use mobile apps, 30% use social media, while only 34% rely primarily on personal observations. Among respondents aged 25–34, 36% use websites, 25% use mobile applications, and 26% use social media. Respondents aged 35–44 also make frequent use of online resources (31% websites and 28% mobile apps), but usage declines sharply with age. Among respondents aged 55–64, more than half (54%) rely solely on their own observations, while among those aged 65 and older, this figure rises to 81%.

Overall, the findings indicate that public awareness remains relatively low, despite gradual improvement. Most Almaty residents still assess air quality “by eye”, while systematic access to reliable information through websites, mobile applications, and sensors remains limited and unevenly distributed across age groups.

The majority of residents (74%) believe that air pollution is dangerous or very dangerous to human health. When asked specifically about children’s health, concern rises even further, with 87% considering air pollution dangerous or very dangerous. 

Risk perception varies considerably by age. Young people aged 18–24 tend to be less concerned: only 29% consider air pollution very dangerous, while 26% describe it as moderately dangerous. Among respondents aged 35–64, concern is substantially higher, with 52–54% describing air pollution as very dangerous. Among people aged 65 and above, this figure reaches 56%, the highest of all age groups.

When it comes to children, concern is consistently high across all age groups: more than 61% of respondents consider polluted air very dangerous for children’s health.

Which Air Quality Initiatives Have Residents Heard About?

Despite widespread concern, most Almaty residents (61%) could not name a single specific initiative aimed at improving air quality. Only 10% are familiar with such initiatives, while another 29% have heard about them but cannot provide details.

Among respondents who were able to recall specific measures, the most frequently mentioned were implementation of low-emission zones (11.3%), use of air purifiers (8.5%), conversion of CHPs to natural gas (6.7%), electric public transport and switching vehicles to natural gas (5.4%).

Respondents also mentioned tree planting and urban greening initiatives, the Almaty Air Initiative Foundation, the national “Taza Kazakhstan” campaign, and environmental blogger Altai Ainabek.

Perceived Sources of Air Pollution

Almaty residents most commonly associate air pollution with motor vehicle traffic, cited by 82% of respondents, making it by far the most frequently identified source. The second most frequently cited source is combined heat and power plants (CHPs) (45%), followed by changes in prevailing wind patterns and natural air circulation (42%). Overall, public perception identifies road transport as the primary contributor to poor air quality, while industrial and natural factors are viewed as secondary but still significant contributors.

Age and education significantly influence these perceptions. Respondents aged 35–44 are more likely than others to identify CHPs (57%) and transport (82%) as major pollution sources, while respondents aged 25–34 also frequently point to emissions from private-sector heating (53%). The higher the level of education, the greater the emphasis on systemic pollution sources: respondents with higher education more frequently identify transport (83%) and CHPs (48%), while respondents holding master’s or PhD degrees are more likely to mention private-sector heating (34%) and construction activities (31%).

Overall, across all social groups, motor vehicles remain the primary source of air pollution in the public perception.

Priority Measures Identified by Almaty Residents

Almaty residents most frequently identify measures related to transport, heating, and green spaces as the highest priorities for improving air quality. Over the half of respondents (57%) believe that the most important step is to reduce vehicle emissions, 52% support converting CHPs to natural gas and installing filtration systems, while 54% believe that expanding green spaces and parks should be a priority. Other highly rated measures include switching to environmentally friendly fuels (45%) and stricter oversight of construction activities (42%).

Trust in Government on Air Quality Issues

Despite widespread concern, 63% of residents believe that the government’s current efforts to improve air quality are ineffective. 30% described the measures as completely ineffective, 34% considered them ineffective. Only 4% rated them as effective, while fewer than 1% considered them very effective. 22% regarded the authorities’ actions as satisfactory.

The most critical views were expressed by middle-aged and older respondents (45–64 years), with up to 35% describing government efforts as completely ineffective. Young people aged 18–24 were more moderate, and about one-third considering the authorities’ actions at least satisfactory. By district, the strongest criticism was recorded in Zhetysu (34%) and Bostandyk (29%), while the least criticism came from Almaly (24%) and Medeu (27%) districts. 

Income also influences perceptions: the higher the income, the greater the level of distrust. Among respondents earning KZT 800,000–1,000,000, 51% rated government efforts as completely ineffective, compared with only 26% among respondents earning less than KZT 100,000.

There is also a clear relationship between perceptions of air quality and trust in government. Among respondents who consider the city’s air very poor, 51% describe government efforts as completely ineffective, whereas among those who rate air quality as satisfactory or good, only 20–23% do so.

Overall, 53% expressed little or no trust in government authorities regarding air quality issues. Another 34% were undecided, 10% said they somewhat trust government authorities, and only 2.6% expressed complete trust.

The lowest level of distrust was observed among young people aged 18–24, where only 14% reported having no trust at all. The highest level was recorded among respondents aged 55–64 (35%). By district, distrust was highest in Zhetysu and Nauryzbay districts (27–32%) and lowest in Auezov (23%) and Alatau (31%) districts. The greatest level of uncertainty was recorded in Almaly District, where 43% of respondents were unable to express a clear opinion.

Higher-income residents (earning KZT 600,000–800,000) demonstrated the greatest distrust: 74% do not believe official statements, compared with approximately 47% among lower-income respondents. Similar pattern is observed with perceptions of air quality: among respondents who consider the air very poor, 73% do not trust the authorities, whereas among those who view air quality positively, the share of respondents expressing trust rises to 25%.

“Start with Yourself”: Almaty Residents’ Ideas for Improving Air Quality

Nearly 15% of respondents believe that ordinary residents cannot influence the situation and that solving the problem depends entirely on the government.

The remaining respondents believe that individual responsibility and changes in personal habits can make a meaningful contribution. One in eight respondents (13%) believes that improvement should begin with keeping the city clean and avoiding littering. Another 13% encourage planting trees and participating in urban greening initiatives, while nearly 10% believe that stopping the burning of waste, plastic, and rubber should be a priority, considering it one of the major causes of smog in private residential areas.

Transport remains the second most frequently mentioned topic. 9% recommend using public transport more often, 8% support switching to electric vehicles and other environmentally friendly modes of transport, 4% advocate converting private homes and vehicles to natural gas. A smaller but still notable share of respondents (2%) support expanding cycling infrastructure and promoting scooters as alternatives to private cars. 

When asked about the most effective ways to improve Almaty’s environmental situation, residents most frequently mentioned urban greening and tree planting, with 17% calling for the expansion of green spaces. The second most common proposal (13%) was to restrict private vehicle use, including alternating driving days based on license plate numbers, and 11% supported stricter control of urban development and limiting high-rise construction. Other commonly suggested measures include converting CHPs to natural gas and installing filtration systems (10%), expanding environmentally friendly public transport (8%), promoting the use of electric vehicles (7%).

Additional proposals included banning older vehicles (4.7%), strengthening vehicle roadworthiness inspections (4.5%), and creating urban ventilation corridors to improve air circulation (3.9%).