Kazakhstan's Latin script transition faces delays and public resistance

A $600 million reform to modernize Kazakhstan's language stumbles over nostalgia and logistics. Will the Latin alphabet ever fully replace Cyrillic?

, and Administrator

2026 March 31 . 2:02 AM

1 min read

The image shows an old book with a table of numbers on it, which is believed to be the first page... — The image shows an old book with a table of numbers on it, which is believed to be the first page of a Russian manuscript. The book contains text and numbers, likely related to the Russian language.

Kazakhstan's Latin script transition faces delays and public resistance

Kazakhstan is gradually shifting its state language from Cyrillic to Latin script. The reform, first announced in 2017, aimed to complete the transition by 2025. However, delays and adjustments have pushed the full change to around 2031 instead. The plan to adopt a Latin-based alphabet began in 2017 when the government set a 2025 deadline. Supporters argued the move would modernise the country, reduce ties to the Soviet past, and align Kazakhstan more closely with the global community. Cyrillic, in contrast, was often linked to Russia and an older political era.

By 2021, officials finalised a version of the Latin alphabet for use in schools, official documents, and digital systems. Yet, the transition faced hurdles. Many citizens remained attached to Cyrillic, while others distrusted repeated changes to the proposed Latin script. The government revised the alphabet multiple times after public feedback. In 2022, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev extended the timeline, spreading the process from 2023 to 2031. Despite this, Latin script has already appeared in some state offices and media by 2025. Still, widespread adoption remains slow. Critics have raised concerns over the reform's cost, estimated at over $600 million. This includes updating textbooks, retraining teachers, and modifying IT infrastructure. Some also warn of potential social tensions as the population adjusts.

The Latin script now operates alongside Cyrillic in parts of Kazakhstan's administration and media. The full transition, however, is not expected until around 2031. Both scripts will likely remain in use for years, reflecting the challenges of such a large-scale linguistic reform.