Gender Wage Gaps and Human Capital in Kazakhstan: Evidence from Aggregate Wage Statistics

Abstract

Gender disparities in labour remuneration remain a significant challenge for the effective utilisation of human capital and the achievement of inclusive economic development in Kazakhstan. This study examines the dynamics of gender wage inequality, assesses earnings differences by educational attainment, and interprets these patterns in relation to labour market structure. The empirical analysis draws on official statistics on average monthly wages by gender for 2015–2024, hourly earnings for 2021–2025, educational wage differentials for 2025, and published microeconometric studies of Kazakhstan's labour market. The methodological framework combines descriptive statistical analysis, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, first-difference sensitivity analysis, subperiod comparisons, and ordinary least squares trend estimation. The findings indicate that the unadjusted monthly gender wage gap declined from 34.1% in 2015 to 21.7% in 2021 before widening to 26.5% in 2024. The hourly wage gap increased to 22.4% in 2025. In the pooled educational comparison, employees with higher and postgraduate education earned 71.8% and 132.2% more, respectively, than employees with secondary education. However, these educational wage premiums cannot be interpreted as gender-specific returns to human capital. The study contributes an integrated analytical framework that distinguishes human capital accumulation, labour market allocation, and remuneration. The results highlight the importance of examining occupational and sectoral employment patterns alongside educational qualifications when assessing gender wage inequality.