The Gender Aspect of Life Expectancy in the Regional and Sectoral Context of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Life expectancy is an integral indicator of the health status of the population and the level of socio-economic development of society. The purpose of the article is to identify key gender differences in the life expectancy of Kazakhstan's population within the regional and sectoral contexts and to formulate practical recommendations for reducing inequality. The methodological basis of the research includes quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis, as well as general scientific approaches – systematisation, comparison, analogy and descriptive statistics. The empirical database is based on data from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2000-2024, as well as materials from the World Health Organisation and the World Bank. The results of the study showed a steady advantage of women in life expectancy throughout the country. In 2023, the average life expectancy in Kazakhstan was 75.1 years, with 70.99 years for men and 79.06 years for women, corresponding to a gender gap of 8.07 years. The highest life expectancy values were recorded in the cities of republican significance - Almaty (78.28 years) and Astana (78.09 years), as well as in the southern agricultural regions. The minimum life expectancy is observed in the industrial regions of East Kazakhstan (73.2 years) and Karaganda (73.43 years), where mining and processing industries with increased occupational risks prevail. An analysis of the sectoral structure revealed that regions dominated by services, education, and public administration demonstrate higher life expectancy.