Yerkezhan Kenzheali’s scientific contributions

Agriculture is a key sector in Kazakhstan's economy, contributing significantly to employment and GDP. However, geographic, climatic, economic, and policy-related factors contribute to substantial regional differences in agricultural performance. This paper aims to assess the level of agricultural development across Kazakhstan's regions using an integral index based on key variables that influence productivity, such as soil surface temperature, producer price indices, total sown area, employment figures, and domestic R&D expenditure. The paper used the following methods: correlation analysis to determine the relationship, regression analysis after filtering variables, integral index for a generalized assessment of agricultural productivity by region, and cartographic analysis. The findings highlight significant geographical variations, with regions like Almaty and Turkestan showing high productivity, benefiting from favorable climatic conditions and infrastructure. In contrast, regions such as North Kazakhstan and Pavlodar need to catch up, primarily due to harsher environmental conditions and lower investment levels. These differences point to the need for a targeted approach aimed at supporting less developed regions, as well as the dissemination of best practices from successful areas. The cartographic analysis visualizes these imbalances. The southern regions are highlighted as zones of high productivity, while the northern and eastern regions are shown as risk zones that require priority attention and resources. This research underscores the need for adaptive strategies to address regional inequalities, aiming to boost agricultural productivity and foster sustainable growth across Kazakhstan.

Gender disparities affect employment, education, social interactions, and managerial roles. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a complex analysis of differences based on representation in managerial positions, wage levels, educational opportunities, and soft skills. The analysis combines both qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data were collected from 2009 to 2022 from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Bank, and the World Bank. Qualitative data were obtained through surveys of 652 respondents filtered based on their correct understanding of the soft skills concept. Further, the Index for Stereotypes in Women’s Employment (ISWE) was developed by identifying key indicators and gathering relevant data, followed by assigning weight coefficients based on their significance and ultimately combining these weighted impacts to compute the total index. The most significant impact on gender disparities was shown by the assessment of soft skills, contributing 13.1115, highlighting the need for their recognition in the labor market. Educational opportunities had a significant impact, contributing 2.1945, emphasizing equal opportunities for women and men. Differences in wages contributed to 1.394, indicating the pay gap. The low representation of women in managerial positions in state financial institutions (including second-tier banks) contributed 0.685, while barriers for women in managerial positions in state holdings across various sectors contributed 1.485. The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders committed to promoting gender equity. AcknowledgmentsThis study has been funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Grant No. BR18574240.

This study examines paid parental leave policies across selected countries, including Sweden, Finland, Bulgaria, Iceland, Estonia, and Kazakhstan. By conducting a comparative analysis of key parameters such as duration, eligibility criteria, benefit levels, and specific provisions for mothers and fathers, the study identifies trends, disparities, and best practices within these frameworks. Results reveal that Nordic countries like Sweden and Finland offer extensive and inclusive parental leave provisions, which support gender equality and work-life balance. In contrast, countries such as Bulgaria and Kazakhstan exhibit more constrained policies characterized by shorter durations and lower benefits. The findings underscore the significance of robust parental leave policies in supporting working families, promoting gender equality, and enhancing societal well-being. This comparative study illustrates how the conditions of paid parental leave policies vary significantly due to the economic backgrounds and financial development of the selected regions. This analysis would help to identify best practices that could be adapted to various socio-economic contexts, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. Future research should explore the long-term effects of these policies on workforce participation and child development outcomes.

Gender asymmetry often denotes significant gender inequality, encompassing disparities in societal norms, cultural convictions, and historical legacies. This asymmetry results in an unequal distribution of opportunities, resources, and power between individuals of different genders, with one gender often enjoying certain privileges over the other. This article analyzes the effectiveness of implemented and tested strategies in reducing gender asymmetry, with a special focus on four countries such as the United States, Great Britain, Germany and Kazakhstan. Special attention is paid to comparing approaches and results in different countries, which makes it possible to identify the most successful practices and general trends. Despite the implementation of various government policies and standards aimed at achieving equal pay for employees of all genders, women still tend to receive lower salaries compared to their male counterparts, even when they hold similar positions and perform similar job responsibilities. Through meticulous investigation and the application of statistical methodologies, it is attempted to gauge whether these strategies have contributed to a reduction in gender asymmetry, comparing the statistics from 2019 to 2023 for the outcomes’ evaluation. In conclusion, the article offers recommendations for the development and implementation of effective strategies that can be used by governments and organizations to further promote gender equality.

The aim of the study is to assess the level of vulnerability of the economy and social sphere of depressed settlements in the example of the regions of western Kazakhstan (Atyrau, Mangystau and West Kazakhstan). The following research methods were used to visualize the data: bibliographic, tabular, and grouping of data. The initial data for 2009-2020 for the study were taken from statistical data of the Bureau of National Statistics, regional departments of statistics, various electronic resources, etc. According to the results of the analysis, indicators of the development of districts in Mangystau, Atyrau and West Kazakhstan regions were obtained, in which depressed and vulnerable territories were identified. The data obtained indicate that in vulnerable areas of Kazakhstan there is significant interregional inequality in terms of the level and quality of life. A number of social indicators of the level and quality of life of the population have huge interregional gaps. The analysis as a whole makes it possible to positively assess the possibilities of the prospective development of these territories within the framework of the historically developed specialization of the economy in the presence of transport flows between cities and regions. At the same time, to outline ways to further diversify their economies in order to get out of the state of depression and vulnerability. The developed methodology was tested on the example of the regions of Western Kazakhstan, which proves the possibility of its application both by government authorities to identify settlements in need of state support and in further research.