Aizhan Tleuberdinova

In today’s world, many countries, including Kazakhstan, are facing growing income inequality, poverty, and an increasing polarization of society. These challenges threaten social stability and make it difficult to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The purpose of this study is to investigate the size and trends of regional and sectoral wage disparities in Kazakhstan, as well as to create a typology based on the average wage levels in different regions and to provide recommendations for reducing income inequality. The study tested hypotheses about the relationship between the average nominal wage and the level of GRP, level of education, industry specialization, type of ownership, and size of enterprises. The methods of expert survey, correlation, and cluster analysis were used. The study revealed the tendency of increasing inequality of labor income. The largest differences between wages in extractive industries and agriculture were revealed in the Atyrau (11.5) and Mangystau (9.2) regions and Astana (7.2). Differences in average wages between regions were estimated at 1.7 to 7.8 times. The most significant factors affecting the level of average wages are gross regional product per capita and the share of gross value added of the quasi-public sector in the gross regional product. In order to reduce differences in wages, it is recommended to introduce progressive taxation, apply regional increasing coefficients, and calculate the minimum wage based on the hourly wage rate.

Acknowledgment
This work is supported by the Committee of Science Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant BR21882165).

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Youth tourism entrepreneurship is a driver of sectoral development, reduces unemployment and poverty, and is a catalyst for innovation. The aim of this paper is to explore the potential of youth entrepreneurship in tourism, assess its impact on the development of Kazakhstan’s tourism industry, and formulate recommendations for fostering innovation. A systematic approach was adopted, employing methods of logical analysis, correlation and regression analysis, synthesis, and data visualization. Between August and December 2024, a survey was administered across 20 regions of Kazakhstan to assess young people’s readiness for tourism entrepreneurship, identify barriers to its development, and explore innovative solutions. The questionnaire was hosted on Google Forms and disseminated via social media, ensuring all responses remained anonymous. With 601 respondents, the sample is sufficiently representative of the Kazakhstani population aged 18 to 35 years.
Covering the 2013–2023 period, the correlation and regression analysis revealed that youth tourism entrepreneurship has undergone dynamic growth and positively influenced Kazakhstan’s socio-economic indicators and tourism sector performance. Survey findings indicate a strong willingness among young people to engage in training and introduce innovations in tourism. Corruption and high taxation were identified as the principal obstacles to realizing entrepreneurial potential and advancing innovation. The study concludes that youth tourism entrepreneurship is vital for Kazakhstan’s economic diversification and innovation agenda. Involving young people in the tourism sector contributes to unemployment reduction. Regional disparities in resource access can be narrowed through targeted adjustments to state policies that support youth innovative entrepreneurship.

Acknowledgments
This study is supported by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan through the project AP 26199455 – “Entrepreneurial Motivation as a Factor for Economic Diversification in Regions: Sociocultural Prerequisites, New Directions, and Implementation Methods.”

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Rapid urbanization has increased pressure on urban systems, creating challenges related to resource efficiency, waste management, and environmental protection. These challenges are particularly acute for Kazakhstan, where cities differ substantially in their resource use, environmental conditions, infrastructure, and socioeconomic characteristics. This study aims to conduct a comparative assessment and identify the key characteristics of urban metabolic profiles and sustainable development in Kazakhstani cities. A simplified resource-flow assessment and a comprehensive urban sustainability assessment were conducted for 13 cities in Kazakhstan using 2021 data, the recent year with the most comprehensive and comparable city-level data for both assessment approaches. The results demonstrate substantial heterogeneity in sustainable development performance. The integral sustainability index ranges from 0.28 for Karagandy to 0.71 for Aktau. Five of the 13 cities demonstrate a moderately high level of sustainability (Aktau, Zhezkazgan, Pavlodar, Petropavl, and Taraz), while eight have a moderately low level. The environmental, infrastructure, and socioeconomic sub-indices range from 0.29 to 0.94, 0.25 to 0.75, and 0.00 to 0.86, respectively, indicating pronounced differences in environmental conditions, infrastructure, and socioeconomic capacity. The study of metabolic profiles and risks to sustainable development took into account the availability and quality of energy resources consumed, water consumption and availability, and air quality. The prevalence of precarious employment and wage levels were considered as indirect indicators of the intensity of metabolic processes. Groups of cities with limited access to cleaner thermal energy sources, industrial cities, cities with socioeconomic vulnerability, and cities with moderate water balances were identified. Based on these profiles, recommendations were formulated to support more integrated urban development.

Acknowledgment
This paper was prepared with the financial support of the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant AP26101517).