Abstract
This study seeks to identify key trends in the transformation of the ethno-demographic structure and the mechanisms of ethno-political regulation in the Republic of Kazakhstan within the broader context of post Soviet modernisation. Drawing upon data from Kazakhstan’s population censuses (1989–2025), relevant legislative and regulatory acts, and public statements, the research traces the principal stages in the evolution of state ethnic policy and the processes of interethnic integration. The findings reveal that between 1989 and 2025, the proportion of the Kazakh population increased more than one and a half times, rising from 39.7% to 70.4%, while the share of the largest European minorities—primarily Russians—declined to a historic low of approximately 15%. This demographic shift was facilitated by state programmes for the repatriation of ethnic Kazakhs, initiatives to stimulate natural population growth, and targeted measures designed to ensure socio economic stability in vulnerable regions. Particular attention is devoted to the role of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, an institution that has evolved from a platform celebrating cultural diversity into a symbol of national unity centred on the Kazakh language and shared civic values. Language courses for returnees, support for bilingual education, and projects aimed at retaining young professionals have played a crucial role in stabilising human resources and mitigating the effects of brain drain. The results of this study may serve as a foundation for practical recommendations to further refine ethnic policy and migration management. They also provide a valuable basis for comparative analysis of integration models in multinational states across Central Asia, offering insights into the interplay between demographic transformation, ethnic regulation, and national modernisation.