In anticipation of Science Day, celebrated annually in Kazakhstan on April 12, the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan continues a series of publications dedicated to the outstanding achievements of domestic scientists.

As part of this project, Academy present the laureates of six named awards whose research makes a significant contribution to the development of science and technology. Today, our post is dedicated to the Shokan Valikhanov Award, a distinguished Kazakh scientist, historian, ethnographer, and educator.

In 2025 prize named after Ch. Valikhanov for the best scientific research in the field humanitarian sciences awarded PhD , and socialized professor of Nazarbayev University Sharipova Dina Kabdusalyamovna for scientific work " Changing wellbeing in Central Asia : Evidence from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan ( Change well-being in Central Asia on (example of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan )"

The study “Changes in Subjective Well-Being in Central Asia: The Cases of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan” provides the first explanation of why the level of subjective well-being declined in Kazakhstan but increased in Kyrgyzstan between 2011 and 2018. Using data from the World Values Survey (waves 6 and 7) and applying the Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition method, the authors analyze the economic, social, and psychological factors underlying these opposing trends.

Despite their shared historical and cultural background, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have developed along different trajectories. Kazakhstan is an oil-rich country with stable economic growth and is classified as an upper-middle-income country. Kyrgyzstan is less affluent but has a more active civil society. Although GDP growth and poverty reduction were observed in Kazakhstan, life satisfaction declined. In Kyrgyzstan, by contrast, life satisfaction increased.

The study draws on the theories of Easterlin, Maslow, and Inglehart–Welzel, which emphasize the importance of non-material factors such as trust, freedom of choice, and control over one’s life. The analysis includes indicators of financial satisfaction, autonomy, income, social capital, and demographic characteristics. The results show that the decline in social well-being in Kazakhstan can be explained by falling financial satisfaction and a decrease in the perceived control over one’s life, as well as currency devaluation and economic uncertainty. In Kyrgyzstan, the increase in social well-being (around 20%) is associated with greater autonomy, improvements in financial conditions and health; only 20% of these improvements are explained by income, while 80% are related to changes in values. Thus, economic growth alone does not guarantee well-being. Trust, autonomy, and social engagement play a crucial role in increasing life satisfaction in Central Asia.

The novelty of the study lies in the fact that it presents the first comparative longitudinal analysis of subjective well-being in two Central Asian countries using modern analytical methods.

The relevance of the research stems from the need to understand the factors influencing quality of life in post-Soviet countries, where economic growth does not always translate into higher levels of subjective well-being among the population.

The significance of the study lies in identifying the role of non-material factors. The authors demonstrate that sustainable improvements in well-being are impossible without strengthening trust in institutions, promoting active civic participation, and enhancing individuals’ sense of control over their lives. The results of the study are important not only for the development of effective social and economic policies in Kazakhstan but may also be used to assess the effectiveness of reforms, develop social development strategies, and conduct further comparative research in the region.

Overall, the study demonstrates a comprehensive analysis of economic, social, and psychological factors, combining scientific novelty with practical relevance. It also contributes to strengthening scientific and cultural cooperation among Turkic-speaking countries by presenting a comparative analysis of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan based on shared research approaches and international data. The study creates a unified analytical framework for regional scholars, facilitates the exchange of data and methodologies, and provides a foundation for academic dialogue and collaborative research projects. By analyzing value orientations and the factors influencing well-being, the research also promotes mutual understanding and cultural ties between countries.

Data on the main scientific publications published based on the results of work over the past five years:

1. Changing well-being in Central Asia: Evidence from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan // Journal Of Happiness Studies. - 2023.- DOI 10.1080/1057610X.2021.1872163.

2. Causes of violent extremism in Central Asia: the case of Kazakhstan // Studies In Conflict & Terrorism. - 2023. - DOI 10.1017/nps.2023.64.

3. New narratives and old myths: history textbooks in Kazakhstan // Nationalities papers. - 2024. - DOI 10.1080/01900692.2023.2176516

4. Does public sector employment matter for subjective well-being?: the case of Kazakhstan // International Journal Of Public Administration. – 2024. - DOI 10.1007/978-981-99-8262-2

5. Post-Colonial Approaches in Kazakhstan and Beyond. Politics, Culture and Literature. - Book Series «The Steppe and Beyond: Studies on Central Asia». - 2024.- URL https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-99-8262-2

Stay tuned! In the next post, we'll tell you about the winner of the Y. Altynsarin Prize for the best scientific work in the field pedagogy .

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