Abstract:

This study presents a descriptive analysis of the main factors that increase the likelihood of women becoming NEET (Not in education, employment and training) in Kazakhstan. Secondary data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) from 2012 to 2022 serve as the empirical basis. In Kazakhstan, the NEET rate for women has been twice as high compared to men. Every tenth young woman aged 15-28 years is neither engaged in employment nor educational activities. The study revealed that certain demographic and social factors may raise the likelihood of women becoming NEET in Kazakhstan. In particular, if a young person is (1) a female, (2) a married woman with small children, (2) between 20 to 28-year-olds, (3) resides in/moved to a rural area, (4) lives with more than four people, then she is more prone to become NEET.

Since women have been more prone to be out of the labour force and not to continue their educational path, policy measures should be designed with a special focus on women to guarantee their full integration into the labour market regardless of their family circumstances (such as giving birth or having children). Also, the study highly recommends to include more question about the reasons of disengagement and socio-economic background in the LFS particularly in Kazakhstan.