The role of education, human capital, and quality of life in regional development: Evidence from Kazakhstan
-
DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.21511/ppm.23(3).2025.19
-
Article InfoVolume 23 2025, Issue #3, pp. 256-273
- 12 Views
-
1 Downloads
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
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).
- Keywords
-
JEL Classification (Paper profile tab)I25, I31, O15, R11
-
References45
-
Tables8
-
Figures3
-
- Figure 1. Research stages in the form of a block diagram
- Figure 2. Clustering of Kazakhstan’s regions by socio-economic development level
- Figure 3. QLI transition matrix
-
- Table 1. Categories and variables of QLI
- Table 2. Social Capital Index
- Table 3. Social Accessibility Index
- Table 4. Industrial Advancement Index
- Table 5. Quality of Life Index
- Table 6. Cluster centroids by region
- Table 7. Correlation matrix of transition quality
- Table 8. Correlation matrix of transition quantity
-
- Adam, I. O., & Alhassan, M. D. (2021). The effect of mobile phone penetration on the quality of life. Telecommunications Policy, 45(4), Article 102109.
- Alhassan, M. D., & Adam, I. O. (2021). The effects of digital inclusion and ICT access on the quality of life: A global perspective. Technology in Society, 64, Article 101511.
- Alkire, S., & Foster, J. (2011). Counting and multidimensional poverty measurement. Journal of Public Economics, 95(7-8), 476-487.
- Amponsah-Tawiah, K., Leka, S., Jain, A., Hollis, D., & Cox, T. (2014). The impact of physical and psychosocial risks on employee well-being and quality of life: The case of the mining industry in Ghana. Safety Science, 65, 28-35.
- Antonaci, F. G., Olivetti, E. C., Marcolin, F., Castiblanco Jimenez, I. A., Eynard, B., Vezzetti, E., & Moos, S. (2024). Workplace well-being in Industry 5.0: A worker-centered systematic review. Sensors, 24(17), Article 5473.
- Attanasio, O., Cattan, S., & Meghir, C. (2022). Early childhood development, human capital, and poverty. Annual Review of Economics, 14(1), 853-892.
- Becker, G. S. (1964). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis, with special reference to education (1st ed.). University of Chicago Press.
- Bekbossinova, A., Kireyeva, A., Kenzhegulova, G., Bekturganova, M., & Imangali, Z. (2023). The impact of investment and social factors on pension savings in Kazakhstan. Investment Management & Financial Innovations, 20(3), 102-115.
- Collison, D., Dey, C., Hannah, G., & Stevenson, L. (2010). Anglo-American capitalism: The role and potential role of social accounting. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 23(8), 956-981.
- Cui, Y., Tian, H., An, D., & Jia, Y. (2024). Quality of life and regional economic development: Evidence from China. Plos One, 19(5), Article e0298389.
- Cuihong, L., & Chengzhi, Y. (2019). The impact of Internet use on residents’ subjective well-being: An empirical analysis based on national data. Social Sciences in China, 40(4), 106-128.
- Doyal, L., & Gough, I. (1984). A theory of human needs. Critical Social Policy, 4(10), 6-38.
- Estoque, R. C., Togawa, T., Ooba, M., Gomi, K., Nakamura, S., Hijioka, Y., & Kameyama, Y. (2019). A review of quality of life (QOL) assessments and indicators: Towards a “QOL-Climate” assessment framework. Ambio, 48, 619-638.
- Grasso, M., & Canova, L. (2008). An assessment of the quality of life in the European Union based on the social indicators approach. Social Indicators Research, 87, 1-25.
- Hasan, N., Bao, Y., & Miah, S. J. (2022). Exploring the impact of ICT usage among indigenous people and their quality of life: Operationalizing Sen’s capability approach. Information Technology for Development, 28(2), 230-250.
- Hirai, T. (Ed.). (2017). The human development index and its evolution. In The Creation of the Human Development Approach (pp. 73-121). Cham: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Huang, S. H., Liu, P., Mokasdar, A., & Hou, L. (2013). Additive manufacturing and its societal impact: A literature review. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 67, 1191-1203.
- Kireyeva, A.A., Lakhonin, V., & Kalymbekova, Z. (2019). Digital transformations to improve the work and distribution of the state scholarships programs. Journal of Distribution Science, 17(3), 41-47.
- Klugman, J., Rodríguez, F., & Choi, H. J. (2011). The HDI 2010: New controversies, old critiques. The Journal of Economic Inequality, 9, 249-288.
- Lubag, M., Bonifacio, J., Tan, J. M., Concepcion, R., Mababangloob, G. R., Galang, J. G., & Maniquiz-Redillas, M. (2023). Diversified impacts of enabling a technology-intensified agricultural supply chain on the quality of life in hinterland communities. Sustainability, 15(17), Article 12809.
- Ma, W., Nie, P., Zhang, P., & Renwick, A. (2020). Impact of Internet use on economic well-being of rural households: Evidence from China. Review of Development Economics, 24(2), 503-523.
- Maggino, F., & Zumbo, B. D. (2011). Measuring the quality of life and the construction of social indicators. In K. Land, A. Michalos, & M. Sirgy (Eds.), Handbook of Social Indicators and Quality of Life Research (pp. 201-238). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.
- Mohan, G., & Lyons, S. (2024). High-speed broadband availability, Internet activity among older people, quality of life and loneliness. New Media & Society, 26(5), 2889-2913.
- Moosavi, V., & Isacchini, G. (2017). A Markovian model of evolving world input-output network. PloS One, 12(10), e0186746.
- Mourtzis, D., Angelopoulos, J., & Panopoulos, N. (2022). A literature review of the challenges and opportunities of the transition from Industry 4.0 to Society 5.0. Energies, 15(17), Article 6276.
- Nafukho, F. M., Hairston, N., & Brooks, K. (2004). Human capital theory: Implications for human resource development. Human Resource Development International, 7(4), 545-551.
- Noll, H. H. (2018). Social monitoring and reporting: A success story in applied research on social indicators and quality of life. Social Indicators Research, 135(3), 951-964.
- Paramio, J. L., & Zofío, J. L. (2008). Labor market duality and leisure industries in Spain: Quality of life versus standard of living. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 67(4), 683-717.
- Pedro, E., Leitão, J., & Alves, H. (2020). Unveiling the relationship between quality of academic life and regional development. European Journal of Higher Education, 10(1), 48-71.
- Rawls, J. (1963). The sense of justice. The Philosophical Review, 72(3), 281-305.
- Rijpma, A., Philips, R. C., & Van Bavel, B. J. (2025). Multidimensional composite indicators of well-being: Applications in economic history. Journal of Economic Surveys, 39(2), 672-705.
- Saarni, S. I., Saarni, E. S., & Saarni, H. (2008). Quality of life, work ability, and self employment: A population survey of entrepreneurs, farmers, and salary earners. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 65(2), 98-103.
- Sehnbruch, K., González, P., Apablaza, M., Méndez, R., & Arriagada, V. (2020). The quality of employment (QoE) in nine Latin American countries: A multidimensional perspective. World Development, 127, Article 104738.
- Sen, A. (1990). Development as capability expansion. In K. Griffin & J. Knight (Eds.), Human Development and the International Development Strategy for the 1990s (pp. 41-58). London: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Sen, A. K. (1994). Well-being, capability and public policy. Giornale Degli Economisti e Annali Di Economia, 53(7/9), 333-347.
- Shah, M., & Steinberg, B. M. (2021). Workfare and human capital investment: Evidence from India. Journal of Human Resources, 56(2), 380-405.
- Strober, M. H. (1990). Human capital theory: Implications for HR managers. Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, 29(2), 214-239.
- Toimbek, D. (2022). Problems and perspectives of transition to the knowledge-based economy in Kazakhstan. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 13(2), 1088-1125.
- Uskelenova, A. T., & Nikiforova, N. (2024). Regional development of Kazakhstan: Theoretical premises and reality. Regional Science Policy & Practice, 16(3), Article 12616.
- Wilkinson, R. G., & Pickett, K. E. (2006). Income inequality and population health: A review and explanation of the evidence. Social Science & Medicine, 62(7), 1768-1784.
- Xia, Z., Ye, J., & Guan, X. (2020). A comprehensive evaluation of economic vitality and Markov’s prediction: An empirical study of a major city in China. International Conference on Finance, Economics, Management and IT Business (pp. 49-54).
- Yao, C., Parker, J., Arrowsmith, J., & Carr, S. C. (2017). The living wage as an income range for decent work and life. Employee Relations, 39(6), 875-887.
- Yu, H., Zahidi, I., Fai, C. M., Liang, D., & Madsen, D. Ø. (2024). Elevating community well-being in mining areas: The proposal of the mining area sustainability index (MASI). Environmental Sciences Europe, 36(1), Article 71.
- Zeini, N. T., Okasha, A. E., & Soliman, A. S. (2023). Exploring and measuring quality of life determinants of wage workers in Egypt: A structural equation modelling approach. Social Indicators Research, 170(2), 339-374.
- Zhiyenbayev, M., Kunicina, N., Mansurova, M., Patlins, A., Caiko, J., Beliaev, V., Grants, R., Bisenieks, M., & Shyntore, G. (2024). Development of aggregated sustainability indicators for quality of life evaluations in urban areas of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Sustainability, 16(21), Article 9483.