Discussion Ensues Among Experts Over Tokayev's Speech at Cabinet Gathering
Kazakhstan is enthusiastically pursuing a far-reaching socio-economic strategy in 2024, focusing on various key areas to foster inclusive growth and improve the quality of life for its citizens. The strategy encompasses poverty reduction, wage and social reforms, education and healthcare modernization, regional economic activation, and sustainable resource management.
In a bid to reduce poverty, significant social expenditures now account for approximately 20% of the national budget. The national poverty rate has dropped sharply from 46.7% in 2001 to a current 5%, with substantial wage increases for civil servants. Teachers and social workers have seen their wages doubled between 2020 and 2023, while healthcare workers' wages have been raised annually by 20-30%.
Industrial diversification and economic growth are other vital components of Kazakhstan's strategy. The government aims to double the GDP to around $450 billion by maintaining dynamic growth and investing in oil refining, metallurgy modernization, and high-value industries. A large-scale investment program via Baiterek holding targets 8 trillion tenge in new investments, supporting nearly 300 industrial projects to create thousands of jobs between 2025 and 2027.
Education and healthcare reforms are also progressing at a rapid pace. The Head of State has directed the education system to align with future societal and economic demands. Improvements in healthcare include wage increases for medical staff and targeted social payments for workers in hazardous conditions to enhance workplace safety and health outcomes.
Regional development and integration are further priorities for Kazakhstan. Regions like Kostanay are showing positive socio-economic momentum with growing populations, advancing industry and agriculture, and more active small and medium businesses. Investments are rising, alongside reforms in education, healthcare, and social programs to improve quality of life. Water management reforms were introduced in 2024 to ensure sustainable, efficient use of water resources amid climate challenges.
Transport infrastructure development is another essential aspect of Kazakhstan's strategy, although specifics on transport infrastructure were not readily available in the search results. The economic growth plans emphasize modernization and industrial development, which inherently depend on upgraded transport and utility infrastructure. Long-term financing for large-scale projects in priority sectors, including transport, is supported by institutions like the Development Bank of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan's socio-economic strategy also includes additional development goals. The country aims for stable economic growth based on regional competitive advantages, gender-responsive and digitalized public service delivery, environmental resilience, and enhanced civic engagement by 2030.
Leveraging Kazakhstan's geographical location and transport infrastructure is another key international priority. Andrei Chebotarev, a financial analyst, emphasized Tokayev's call for accelerating transport infrastructure development. Kazakhstan's expanding cooperation with neighbouring countries is focused on industry, transport and logistics, IT, and agriculture.
Modernizing vocational education in Kazakhstan is also a significant focus, with the Year of Working Professions initiating a review of curricula and state quotas for educational institutions. The government and regional akims were instructed to complete all planned rural healthcare facilities by the end of 2026.
Anna Alshanskaya, head of the Economic Policy Analysis Department at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, shared insights on the president's core messages. Strengthening ties with Central Asian nations, Russia, and other Eurasian Economic Union partners is a foreign policy priority. In 2024, 460 medical facilities were built as part of the national Modernization of Rural Healthcare project.
In conclusion, Kazakhstan's comprehensive socio-economic strategy in 2024 is designed to promote inclusive growth and improve citizens' quality of life. This strategy encompasses a wide range of measures, including poverty reduction, wage and social reforms, education and healthcare modernization, regional economic activation, and sustainable resource management, all supported by ongoing industrial and infrastructure investment.
- The Kazakhstani government is devising policies and legislation in the realm of education and self-development to ensure the education system aligns with future societal and economic demands, as a part of the comprehensive socio-economic strategy in 2024.
- As the strategy unfolds, general news outlets will likely cover debates and decisions surrounding policy-and-legislation in politics, particularly concerning learning, as Kazakhstan strives to modernize vocational education and improve the quality of education for its citizens.
