This article considers the concept of «digital economy», which many countries of the world are interested in creating. The characteristics of the digital economy, which is based on trade using the Internet, are clarified. The role of the digital economy as a factor of investment and innovation growth is revealed. Special emphasis is placed on the development of the digital economy of modern Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan’s approaches to the development of the digital economy are identified, and the ways of its creation in Kazakhstan are analyzed. Considerable attention is paid to the study of indicators of the current state of digitalization of Kazakhstan in accordance with the indicators of annual international ratings. The problems hindering the digitalization of the country’s economy are highlighted.