The impact of corruption and ethical standards of the civil service on the investment attractiveness of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The article examines the impact of corruption levels and civil service ethical standards on the investment attractiveness of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Based on international rankings (Transparency International, World Bank, UNCTAD, World Economic Forum), a comparative analysis is conducted between Kazakhstan, Singapore, Georgia, and Russia. It is established that the level of corruption in the public sector directly affects the volume of foreign direct investment (FDI) and the country’s reputational capital. The study proposes directions for raising ethical standards in the civil service and improving anti-corruption policy as a tool for institutional trust and sustainable economic growth. The aim of the study is to determine the influence of corruption and the development level of civil service ethical norms on the investment attractiveness of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The paper demonstrates that institutional trust and the integrity of civil servants are key factors in the stability of the investment climate. Methods of institutional and comparative analysis are applied, as well as dynamic modeling based on international indices such as CPI, WGI, and FDI. Scientific novelty lies in the development of a conceptual framework of the relationship “Ethical Norms → Trust → Investment” and the proof that the ethical infrastructure of the civil service serves as an economic driver for attracting capital. Practical significance of the work consists in the recommended directions for improving anti-corruption and ethical policies, which contributes to increasing trust and enhancing the investment reputation of Kazakhstan.

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