Mortality trends in Kazakhstan: insights from a million of deaths from 2014 to 2022

Background: Kazakhstan’s healthcare system and population health have changed significantly between 2014 and 2022, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzes mortality trends during this period to better understand the health challenges and regional differences that have emerged, addressing a gap in comprehensive research. Methods: We analyzed mortality data from Kazakhstan’s Unified National Electronic Health System (2014–2022), calculating age-standardized mortality rates and years of life lost. Regional trends were assessed using linear regression. Results: Overall mortality increased from 550.84 to 678.37 per 100,000 between 2014–2022, with significant regional variations. “Other disorders of the brain” emerged as a leading cause of premature mortality. COVID-19 significantly disrupted mortality patterns in 2020–2021. Mortality rates were consistently higher in males across most age groups, with a sharp increase after age 55, while “other disorders of the brain” emerged as a leading cause of premature mortality. Conclusions: Kazakhstan faces evolving mortality challenges, with stark regional disparities and a concerning rise in neurological disorders. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions and improved cause-of-death reporting.