Currency Exchange Rates Fluctuations on August 17 for Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent
In Kazakhstan, the official exchange rates by the National Bank, as of 21 August 2025, are approximately:
- 1 US Dollar (USD) = 87.44 KGS (Kazakhstani Tenge)
- 1 Euro (EUR) = 101.77 KGS
- 1 Russian Ruble (RUB) = 1.08 KGS
However, in major cities like Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent, the exchange rates at exchange offices are significantly higher, reflecting the actual market or black market rates.
For instance, around early to mid August 2025:
| Currency | Astana / Almaty / Shymkent Exchange Rate (KGS) | Difference from Official Rate | | ------------ | ----------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | | US Dollar | ~534 to 540 KGS | ~6 times higher than official | | Euro | ~626.99 KGS (reported official, market likely higher) | Significantly higher | | Russian Ruble| ~6.71 KGS | ~6 times higher |
The official rates reported by the National Bank seem not to match the high exchange office rates in the cities, especially for the dollar, euro, and ruble where the market rates quoted are roughly 6x the official tenge rates.
This discrepancy could be due to several factors, such as:
- The official rates reported pertain to an official controlled reference rate or wholesale interbank rate that uses different accounting units.
- Market rates in cities reflect actual cash transactions where the tenge is weaker and demand for foreign currency is higher, causing a premium.
- Exchange offices impose large spreads or are impacted by local supply-demand imbalances.
As of the given dates, the exchange rate for the dollar in Shymkent is 539.38 tenge for buying and 542.38 tenge for selling, which is higher than the exchange rate in Astana (537.71 tenge for buying and 544.67 tenge for selling). The euro exchange rate in Shymkent is 628.05 tenge for buying and 633.86 tenge for selling, which is also higher than the national rate (625.73 tenge for buying and 635.73 tenge for selling).
In contrast, the ruble exchange rate in Shymkent is lower than the national rate (6.69 tenge for buying and 6.74 tenge for selling), while in Astana, it is 6.72 tenge for buying and 6.83 tenge for selling.
It is essential to note that the exchange rates listed may fluctuate over time. For precise daily city-by-city updated exchange rates, direct inquiry with local exchange offices or banks would be necessary.
[1] Official National Bank rates (21 Aug 2025) are: USD ~87.44 KGS, EUR ~101.77 KGS, RUB ~1.08 KGS. [2] Reported exchange office rates in cities like Astana and Almaty are USD ~538-540 KGS, EUR ~627 KGS, RUB ~6.7 KGS.
I, as a business owner in Kazakhstan, often encounter significant differences between the official exchange rates set by the National Bank and the actual market rates, particularly when dealing with currencies like the US Dollar, Euro, and Russian Ruble in major cities like Astana and Almaty. This discrepancy can impact my finance and industry operations, as I usually need to convert foreign currencies to Kazakhstani Tenge for business transactions.
Thus, it is crucial for me to remain informed about the market rates and adjust my financial projections accordingly, as the exchange rates can have a substantial impact on my business's profitability in Kazakhstan.
