Nailya Nurlanova

This study aims to analyze the level of differences based on effectiveness, statistical dependence, and mutual influence of economic indicators for ranking the regions of Kazakhstan. In the paper, a systematic algorithm of actions is used, ensuring the interconnectedness, the sequence of work, and the validity of the methods used. Several model specifications were formulated to identify interregional differences in economic development indicators: the operating data environment analysis model (DEA) and the random effects regression model (RE). The information database of the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2010–2020 was used. The construction of the RE model was carried out in the SPSS program. A regression model with fixed and random effects in panel data was employed to determine the impact of the selected indicators on gross regional product produced (GRP). Based on the results, the influence of the physical volume of industrial products on GRP per capita in the regions of Kazakhstan for 11 years was revealed in both models with a high significance of coefficients. The study results can be used by public administration bodies that carry out effective strategic management by smoothing interregional differences. Moreover, they can determine the prospects for studying other parameters based on efficiency, statistical dependence, and mutual influence of economic indicators for ranking regions.

Acknowledgment
This study has been funded by the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (grant “Priorities and mechanisms of inclusive regional development of Kazakhstan in the context of overcoming the economic recession” AP09259004).

In recent years, inequality in the economic and social development of regions and population has increased in Kazakhstan. The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of differences between the regions of Kazakhstan in the field of social, economic, innovation, and infrastructural inclusion and offer recommendations for reducing regional inequality. The research hypothesis is that the high level of economic inequality of the regions determines the high level of differences in the field of social inclusion, inclusion in the field of infrastructure and innovation. The assessment of regional differences was carried out according to four groups of economic, social, innovative, and infrastructural indicators; private and integral indices of inclusive development of regions were calculated. The gaps between the highest and lowest index by groups were revealed: social inclusion – 3.37; economic inclusion – 7.45; infrastructure inclusion – 2.96; innovative inclusion – 6.67. A map of inclusive development of the regions of Kazakhstan is developed. Estimates showed that despite the large gap in the economic development of the regions, the gap in social and infrastructural development remained smaller. In cases where the gap between the maximum and minimum values of the index in the regions increased, more and more regions found themselves in the group with a low level of inclusive development.

Acknowledgment
This study is funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP09259004 “Priorities and mechanisms of inclusive regional development of Kazakhstan in the context of overcoming the economic recession”).
We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and issue editors for their helpful comments.

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

In the context of the knowledge economy and globalization, one key factor in regional economic development is universities’ intellectual capital. In this regard, the purpose of this article is to analyze the relationship between universities’ intellectual capital and socio-economic differences across Kazakhstan’s regions. The research used an integrated index of universities’ intellectual capital developed in the authors’ previous study, factor and cluster analysis, and regression modeling. The research database includes data from the National Bureau of Statistics for 20 regions of Kazakhstan for 2015, 2020–2023. The findings suggest that an increase in the universities’ intellectual capital index is associated with an increase in gross regional product per capita (β = 87.32). The results demonstrate that the population’s nominal incomes were statistically insignificant, indicating no clear short-term association with income redistribution. Instead, the Gini coefficient increases significantly, suggesting higher levels of observed inequality and a possible concentration of benefits among higher-income groups in regions with high levels of university intellectual capital. More specifically, a 1-unit increase in universities’ intellectual capital is associated with a 0.371-point increase in the Gini coefficient. Moreover, the results of the cluster analysis show a high level of socio-economic imbalance between regions with high and low levels of university intellectual capital. The quantile regression suggests that universities’ intellectual capital is positively associated with economic growth but is also related to higher levels of social inequality. The results suggest the need for a differentiated regional policy to support the development of regional universities and ensure inclusive development.

Acknowledgments
This research is supported by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (AP23488456 “Imbalances in the development of the economy and social sphere of problem regions of Kazakhstan and their risks: factors, assessment, possible scenarios, leveling mechanisms”, 2024–2026).

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).