Water Prices Rise in Asia as Kazakhstan Pauses Hikes
A global survey of 1,069 cities finds water tariffs climbing unevenly across regions, with some of the steepest increases in Central Asia.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Inflation
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Global Water Intelligence's Global Water Tariff Survey 2026 priced water in 1,069 cities across 189 countries, finding average increases of 2.0% in Southern Asia and 3.9% in East Asia/Pacific from 2025 to 2026. Prices in Bishkek rose 44.7% and in Dushanbe 11.3%, while combined prices in Almaty and Astana fell by more than 20%.
Why it matters
Water is an essential household cost, so tariff changes directly affect budgets in cities across the survey. The findings show that cost-recovery policies and affordability measures are pulling water prices in opposite directions across the world.
The survey covers 1,069 cities in 189 countries, with a global average water price rise of 5.6% from 2025 to 2026. Major cities including Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, New Delhi and Mumbai recorded no price change, and the extraction does not specify how the survey weighted cities by population.
The players
Global Water Intelligence
A research and data firm focused on the global water industry that publishes periodic tariff and market surveys.
Indah Water Konsortium
Malaysia's sewerage services operator, which reached full operating cost recovery at the company level through phased tariff increases.
The details
Kazakhstan suspended utility price increases from October 2025 to April 2026, which also suspended block pricing, in line with an affordability goal. Central Asia has been hit hard by rising inflation tied to its dependence on Russian trade routes affected by the Ukraine war, while Malaysia's phased increases helped Indah Water Konsortium reach full operating cost recovery at the company level.
Timeline
October 2025: Kazakhstan suspends utility price increases.
April 2026: Kazakhstan's utility price suspension ends.
November 6, 2026: Global Water Tariff Survey 2026 is published.
Macro View
Central Asia's inflation has been pushed up by its reliance on Russian trade routes disrupted by the Ukraine war, and Kazakhstan's suspension of utility price increases is a direct policy response to that pressure. The survey shows these regional pressures sitting alongside steady cost-recovery increases in places like Malaysia.
Households in cities where water tariffs rose face higher monthly utility bills, while residents in Almaty and Astana may see lower combined water costs after the price drop. The survey data suggests utility bills are moving in different directions depending on local policy choices.
The takeaway
Water is a recurring household cost, so tracking local tariff decisions helps households anticipate how utility bills may change. Policy choices such as price pauses or phased increases can meaningfully shift what residents pay.
Further reading
Explore more on inflation trends shaping household costs around the world.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Macau Business.
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