Transformation of Kazakhstan’s labor market in the post-pandemic period

The article examines the key features and trends of the transformation of the labor market in Kazakhstan in the post-pandemic period. The relevance of the study is due to the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the employment structure, forms of labor relations, labor force distribution and mechanisms of adaptation to new economic conditions. In the context of global challenges, Kazakhstan’s labor market faced the need to respond quickly to changes, including the transition to remote work, digitalization of processes and the introduction of flexible forms of employment, which significantly affected the dynamics of economic recovery. The purpose of the study is to identify the main directions of changes in the labor market, analyze the factors determining its current and future development, as well as formulate recommendations for adapting the employment system to new socio-economic realities. The paper uses methods of statistical analysis, comparative and systematic approach, as well as data from national and international statistics, analytical reports and scientific research. The results of the study show that the post-pandemic labor market is characterized by the growth of digitalization, the increasing role of flexible and nonstandard forms of employment, and increased demand for specialists in IT, logistics, and services. The necessity of modernization of the vocational education system, digital skills and active implementation of retraining programs has been identified. Special attention is paid to the issues of regional imbalance, youth employment and protection of vulnerable groups of the population. The findings can be used in the process of forming an effective state employment policy and strategic planning for the development of Kazakhstan’s labor potential in the long term.

1. Kondrat’ev N.D. (1993) Bol’shie cikly kon#junktury // Izbrannye trudy. Jekonomika. No. 9(18). Р. 24– 83. (In Russian)

2. Tulegenova M., Tulejbaeva A. (2022) Transformacija rynka truda v Kazahstane pri perehode k cifrovoj jekonomike // Vestnik KazNU. Serija jekonomicheskaja. No. 16. Р. 176–191. (In Russian)

3. UNDP, AERC, JSC Workforce Development Centre. Emerging Skills and Professions for Kazakhstan in the Post COVID–19 Era, 2025. URL: https://aerc.org.kz/en/issledovanie/emerging-skills-and-professionskazakhstan-post-covid-19-era (accessed: 25.08.2025) (In English)

4. Kuanova L., Anessova A. (2021) Gender Disparities in Kazakhstan’s Labor Market: Evidence from the Quality Employment // Eurasian Journal of Economics and Business Studies, no. 3, pp. 62–70. (In English)

5. Dzhumambaev S. (2023) Prognoz predlozhenija rabochej sily v kontekste modernizacii rynka truda Kazahstana // Vestnik KazNU. Serija jekonomicheskaja. No. 3. Р. 121–145. (In Russian)

6. Serikbayeva B. (2022) Education–Job Mismatch in the Labor Market of Kazakhstan: Implications for Public Policy // Nazarbayev University, Thesis, no. 4, pp. 54–78. (In English)

7. AlshanskajaA.,AzatbekA. (2023) Mobil’nost’rabochej sily i gibkost’rynka truda v jepohu koronakrizisa: kazahstanskij i zarubezhnyj opyt // Vestnik ENU. Serija jekonomicheskaja. No. 4. Р. 241–259. (In Russian)

8. Bose T., Ghosh N. (2023) Evaluating the Economic Implications of Remote WorkAdoption Post Pandemic // International Journal of Advanced Innovative Engineering & Science, no. 41, pp. 116–146. (In English)

9. Micheal D., Sylvester H. (2023) Remote Working and Task Innovativeness – United Kingdom and Ghana // Information Systems Frontiers, no. 16, pp. 36–55. (In English)

10. Di Filippo I., Escobar B., Facal J. (2024) Remote Work and Women’s Labor Supply: The New Gender Division at Home, no. 27, pp. 533–562. (In English)

11. Bjuro nacional’noj statistikiASPiR RK. Nacional’nyj statisticheskij bjulleten’«Rynok truda Kazahstana». 2025. URL: https://stat.gov.kz (data obrashhenija: 24.08.2025) (In Russian)

12. Bjuro nacional’noj statistiki ASPiR RK. Otchjot o sostojanii i perspektivah zanjatosti naselenija v postpandemijnyj period. 2025. URL: https://stat.gov.kz (data obrashhenija: 20.08.2025) (In Russian)

13. Bajmuratova L.T. (2021) Rynok truda Kazahstana: problemy i perspektivy razvitija.Almaty: Jekonomika. No. 16. Р. 224–241. (In Russian)

14. Bjuro nacional’noj statistiki ASPiR RK. Otraslevaja statistika: biznes-statistika. 2025. URL: https://stat.gov.kz (data obrashhenija: 24.09.2025) (In Russian)

15. Bjuro nacional’noj statistiki ASPiR RK. Rynok truda Kazahstana. 2025. URL: https://stat.gov.kz (data obrashhenija: 14.10.2025) (In Russian)