An important role in creating a competitive sector of the national economy is played by the formation of a system for financing knowledge-intensive industries on a regular basis. The article examines the main forms of financing science-intensive production, describes and compares the sources of financing of high-technology industries, characteristic of Kazakhstan and other countries. The line for the development of the knowledge-based economy of our country in modern realities has been determined, and the key indicators of the science intensity of Kazakhstan and foreign countries have been consolidated and compared. Conclusions are drawn about the relationship between the use of certain sources of financing and the success of the formation of a knowledge-based economy of different countries.