The role of education, human capital, and quality of life in regional development: Evidence from Kazakhstan

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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).

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    • 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
    • Conceptualization
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Svetlana Kozhirova, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova
    • Data curation
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova, Aigul Mukatay, Temirlan Abdykadyr
    • Formal Analysis
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Svetlana Kozhirova, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova, Aigul Mukatay, Temirlan Abdykadyr
    • Funding acquisition
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Svetlana Kozhirova, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova, Aigul Mukatay, Temirlan Abdykadyr
    • Investigation
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Svetlana Kozhirova, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova, Aigul Mukatay, Temirlan Abdykadyr
    • Methodology
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Svetlana Kozhirova, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova
    • Project administration
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Svetlana Kozhirova, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova
    • Software
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Svetlana Kozhirova, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova, Temirlan Abdykadyr
    • Supervision
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Svetlana Kozhirova, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova
    • Validation
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Svetlana Kozhirova, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova, Aigul Mukatay
    • Writing – original draft
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Svetlana Kozhirova, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova
    • Writing – review & editing
      Raushan Unerbayeva, Svetlana Kozhirova, Gaukhar Kenzhegulova, Aigul Mukatay, Temirlan Abdykadyr
    • Resources
      Aigul Mukatay, Temirlan Abdykadyr
    • Visualization
      Aigul Mukatay, Temirlan Abdykadyr