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.”