Dynamics of Gender Wage Gap in Kazakhstan for 2011-2019

We examine the gender wage gap in Kazakhstan over the period 2011–2019. It was found to be persistent and stable during this period at around 30%; however, the decomposition suggests the increasing negative effect of growing industrial segregation which is not compensated for by a relatively better and improving human capital of females. Unsurprisingly, the highest gender gap is documented in more industrialised and economically successful provinces and the lowest gap, that is, in the poorest and predominantly agricultural ones. In the two largest cities with the most advanced economies, our findings suggest the existence of vertical segregation and discrimination. Thus, the policy aimed at narrowing down gender inequalities in Kazakhstan’s labour market should seek to equalise industrial disparities and segregation and account for regional disparities.