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Abstract

This presentation examines the adaptation of internal migrants in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It is based on the findings of qualitative sociological research conducted in 2025 within an urban area favored by migrants due to relatively affordable housing and proximity to major markets (specifically the Nauryzbay district and several suburban villages). A total of 45 interviews were conducted with individuals of diverse ages, genders, and backgrounds, primarily focusing on first-generation migrants. The research indicates that upward mobility for both migrants and their children is a primary objective for migration, which participants perceive as attainable. Instances of discrimination, where they exist, are mainly confined to interpersonal interactions regarding everyday issues (e.g., conflicts between ‘locals’ and ‘newcomers’) and do not constitute a significant barrier to migrants’ advancement within the city. However, the weakening of migrant support networks identified during the study may significantly impede recovery from initial migration shock and create unfavorable conditions for the socialization of children and adolescents from migrant families. Thus, the 'second-generation problem'—frequently identified in the literature regarding Western external migration—may replicate itself within this context, even if its manifestations are less acute.