YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UZBEKISTAN AND KAZAKHSTAN
Keywords:
Youth unemployment, Economic development, Central Asia, Labor market, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Human capital, Transition economies.Abstract
This research paper investigates the intricate relationship between youth unemployment and economic development in the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan. Despite sharing a common Soviet past and similar geographical challenges in Central Asia, these two nations have adopted distinct economic models—Kazakhstan focusing on resource-based industrialization and Uzbekistan transitioning toward a diversified market economy through recent liberalization. The study analyzes the demographic "youth bulge" as both a potential engine for growth and a socio-economic risk. Through a comparative analysis of statistical data and policy frameworks, the paper identifies systemic barriers such as skill mismatches, rural-urban disparities, and the impact of digital transformation on the labor market. The findings suggest that while Kazakhstan faces challenges with "hidden" unemployment and underemployment, Uzbekistan struggles with a high volume of new labor market entrants. The article concludes with strategic recommendations for harmonizing educational curricula with market demands and fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems to mitigate the adverse effects of youth joblessness on long-term GDP growth.
