Socioeconomic Differentiation in Labour Resource Development across the Regions of Kazakhstan

The development of labour resources is one of the key factors in the socio‑economic development of regions, while significant territorial differences in demographic and labour characteristics necessitate their comprehensive assessment. The aim of the study is to assess the level of development of labour resources in the regions of Kazakhstan and to identify interregional differences in their formation and use based on an integrated approach. The information base of the study consists of official regional statistical data from the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2014–2024, including indicators of population size, migration, unemployment, youth unemployment, self‑employment, employment, the number of hired workers, the labour force, and the employment rate. The study uses Z‑standardization of indicators and calculates integral indices for three blocks: demographic development, the labour market and social stability, employment and labour activity. The results revealed persistent interregional differences that require the implementation of differentiated policies. The group with a high level of labor resource development includes the city of Almaty, with a total integral index value of 1.010606; the Turkestan Region, with 0.841212; the Almaty Region, with 0.823939; and the city of Astana, with 0.490303. The lowest values of the overall integral index were recorded in the Ulytau Region (–0.666667) and the North Kazakhstan Region (–0.544550). The obtained results confirm the significant territorial differentiation in the formation and use of labor resources in Kazakhstan and can be used in developing differentiated measures of social and regional policy in the labor market.

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