One in two marriages ends in divorce, Kazakh justice minister says

Tengrinews.kz - Kazakhstan is facing a crisis in family and marriage relations, Justice Minister Yerlan Sarsembayev said, citing official statistics.
Speaking during a government hour in the Mazhilis, Sarsembayev presented troubling figures on divorce rates in the country.

“Last year, there were 61,080 registered divorces, which is nearly half of the 124,774 marriages recorded. We believe that a comprehensive approach is needed from various government agencies to strengthen the institution of the family and protect the interests of children. This category of cases is under special supervision by the ministry,” he stated.

According to the minister, the traditional values that once defined Kazakh society are unfortunately being lost.

“As statistics show, every second marriage ends in divorce. This affects families, and most of all, the children. The issue being raised today deserves special attention. Out of the total number, we must note that 12,000 individuals obligated to pay alimony have entered the 'red zone.' Targeted efforts are underway with private bailiffs to address this. And from a legal standpoint, the mechanisms in place—up to and including administrative and criminal liability—are being enforced. However, we understand that this alone will not solve the problem,” Sarsembayev said.

Previously, Mazhilis deputies in Kazakhstan proposed raising the state fee for divorce as part of amendments to the Tax Code, a move aimed at making the process more deliberate and less impulsive.