Gaukhar Kenzhegulova

This paper aims to analyze various indicators to explain the impact of inequality and income on economic growth at the regional level of Kazakhstan. The data collected from the Bureau of National Statistics from 1995 to 2020 examined the impact of country, interregional, and market inequality indices and real income/wage on the GRP of different regions. Applying the methods such as analysis of unique statistical data covering 16 regions of Kazakhstan and log-linear multivariate regression analysis, which was carried out using the STATA software package, evidence was provided on the influence of interregional, country inequality, and income on economic growth. The analysis showed the differential impact of inequality and income. It was found at the first stage that the gap between interregional inequality and country inequality is insignificant. It was identified at the second stage that in models with real incomes, an increase in income has a negative impact on the development of the economy of Kazakhstan. All the models obtained are consistent and have (although not very high) significant explanatory power and confirm the relationship between inequality and economic growth. The findings can help policymakers, regionalists, economists, and governmental bodies understand the importance of income inequality and which areas can contribute to the formation of effective regional policy.

Acknowledgments
The study was carried out within the framework of program targeted IRN OR11465433 funding by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Development of the concept and mechanisms of balanced territorial development of the economy and society of Kazakhstan”.

Women’s participation and the nature of assistance in the provision of social policies, especially in healthcare related to socially significant diseases, is becoming more prominent. The aim of this study is to develop proposals for streamlining the palliative care system in Kazakhstan based on the analysis of the influence of women volunteers on the process of public administration. The paper interviewed two groups of respondents: volunteers and workers (medical institutions and charity organizations employees). Atlas.ti software was used to analyze and construct specific feedback on the data received. The coding results revealed that women volunteers act as an intermediary between the state administration and the palliative care system. In addition, it was determined that the prominent participants in developing the palliative care system are hospitals and charitable foundations. In general, the contribution of women volunteers to financial assistance, organization of training and master classes for doctors in the field of oncology, and provision of additional beds for patients and consultations was revealed. Further, the state’s main shortcomings in organizing palliative care were identified: poor regional budgeting system, weak legislative system, and inadequate financing of hospitals. The findings imply that women volunteers should be given a higher status and included in the public administration structure, especially for different representations of the needs of minorities.

Acknowledgments
This study is funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of science and higher education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant “Priorities and mechanisms against rural women of Kazakhstan unequal access to the resources” No. AP14869297).

In the current social conditions, pension systems have become the most important topic on the agenda for many countries. Therefore, governments have started paying attention and should reform their pension systems to guarantee an adequate contribution to pensions. Thus, this study analyzes the impact of investments and social factors on pension savings using Kazakhstan as an example. The paper is based on secondary data from the annual reports of the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund and annual statistical reports of the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan from 2014 to 2022. SPSS software was used to analyze the collected data, specifically through correlation and regression analysis, to determine the impact and relationships between selected indicators (i.e., inflation rate, number of contributors, pension contribution, investment income and average wage). To check the reliability of the models, Fisher’s F-test and Student’s t-test were conducted. Therefore, a VIF diagnosis was conducted. The correlation analysis results showed that in the group of investment factors, pension savings are more dependent on pension contributions (,900**), and in social factors, on average wages (1,000**). Based on the results obtained, all factors have a positive impact on pension savings, except inflation. Inflation growth by 1% on average reduces the amount of pension savings by 23% over the nine-year period between 2014 to 2022, which is reflected in the results of Model 2. The study’s results can be applied to managing pension funds and reforms related to the pension system.

Acknowledgments
This research was funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant “Exploring the impact of economic, social, and environmental factors on the relationship between urbanization and greenhouse gas emissions” No. AP19576071).

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.

Acknowledgments
This study has been funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Grant No. BR18574240.

Demand for ethical and Sharia-compliant investment instruments has driven substantial academic interest in Sukuk, a key component of Islamic finance offering alternatives to conventional bonds. The paper aims to analyze research trends in the field of Sukuk through a comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis of publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science from 1990 to 2024. Relationships between authorship patterns, institutional affiliations, geographical distribution, applied methodologies, and key findings are examined to identify emerging research trajectories in the field of Sukuk. The analysis covers the evolution of research topics over 33 years, assessing annual achievements, influential articles, keyword dynamics, and topical changes. The paper uses a hybrid method, including bibliometric and content analysis and a systematic literature review (SLR) using the PRISMA methodology, which ensures a high degree of scientific validity. The findings marked growth in Sukuk-related research in the past decade, with growing attention to sustainable finance (Environmental, Social, and Governance Sukuk), green Sukuk, and digitalization. Thematic mapping identifies five major research clusters in Scopus and six in Web of Science, emphasizing investment efficiency, regulatory challenges, Sharia compliance, and market integration. Additionally, the crucial impact of Sukuk on risk management and resilience was revealed during crises while uncovering ongoing gaps such as low secondary market liquidity, insufficient standardization, and limited cross-border compatibility.

Acknowledgments
The study was funded by the Committee Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Investigating the impact of macroeconomic, political, and digital processes on financial sustainability of Kazakhstan” No. AP19674948.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
This study aims to assess the impact of key components of quality of life, including human capital, social accessibility, and industrial development, on effective territorial development management in Kazakhstan. The study uses an index approach, cluster and correlation analysis, and Markov transition models. The empirical dataset covers 17 regions of Kazakhstan over the period 2013–2023 and is based on official annual statistics, including indicators of education (number of students and teaching staff), employment, income, digital infrastructure, and industrial development. The Quality of Life Index (QLI) was calculated using normalized variables, followed by regional grouping and dynamic modeling. Results indicate that the highest QLI values in 2023 were recorded in Astana city (0.837), Mangystau (0.790), and Shymkent city (0.771), where educational coverage and academic staffing are significantly higher than in other regions. Correlation analysis reveals that industrial development (r = 0.493, p = 0.052) and educational potential (ρ = 0.491, p = 0.045) are positively associated with regional upward transitions in quality of life. Cluster analysis identified three stable groups of regions: with active social transformation (e.g., Mangystau, Kyzylorda), balanced growth (Karaganda, Pavlodar), and limited dynamics (Turkistan, East-Kazakhstan). Thus, regions with strong educational infrastructure and dynamic labor markets, such as the Mangystau region, Astana and Shymkent cities, consistently outperform in QLI. In contrast, structurally lagging regions, such as Turkistan and East Kazakhstan, exhibit limited social mobility and weak institutional support. Consequently, investment in human capital is essential for reducing regional disparities and promoting sustainable territorial development.

Acknowledgments
This research has been funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“Modernization of the quality assurance system of higher education in Kazakhstan based on digitalization: development of approaches, mechanisms and informationbase” No.BR24992974).