Society

Who Really Takes Childcare Leave in Kazakhstan? Law and Practice

By Nagima Abuova on 27 January 2026

ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s social protection system formally promotes equal parental responsibility, including access to childcare leave and state benefits for both mothers and fathers. Despite laws allowing both parents to take childcare leave, women made up more than 99.8% of benefit recipients in 2024 and 2025, while men represented...