National adaptive social well-being index for measuring regional disparities in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Relevance. The well-being of citizens is a key focus of national policies worldwide. Kazakhstan, however, is characterized by significant regional disparities in social well-being, which necessitates targeted programs and investments to improve conditions in less developed areas. Research Objective. This study aims to develop a national adaptive social well-being index to evaluate and spatially map the regions of Kazakhstan. Data and Methods. The methodology included identifying indicators through a literature review and regional data, conducting an expert survey to weight them, and creating a social well-being index. A spatial analysis was then used to calculate the index for each region. Results. The social well-being index shows significant disparities across regions. Astana, Almaty, and Atyrau demonstrate strong social welfare, driven by economic growth and advanced social infrastructure. In contrast, Karaganda, Pavlodar, and Shymkent show lower social welfare, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and investments. Conclusion. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers to design strategies for sustainable socioeconomic growth in Kazakhstan. The proposed index can help national and regional authorities monitor social well-being