Structural shifts in the economy are an objective phenomenon in the world economy.This process is experienced by all countries without exception, but the causes, intensity andconsequences of structural changes vary from country to country. The article is devoted tothe study of structural shifts, theoretical concepts that determine their nature, intensity, andconsequences for the economy. The article analyzes the structural changes in Kazakhstan basedon the analysis of the indices of structural shifts, their elasticity. It is revealed that during theperiod of independence in the Republic of Kazakhstan there were structural changes that led to theprocess of deindustrialization of the economy and a decrease in its efficiency. Reducing the shareof manufacturing in the total gross domestic product, increasing the share of services, with theirtechnological simplification. The main conclusion of the study is that the quality of structuralchanges in the economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan has pushed the economy back and made theeconomy less productive