Investments in population health in the system of sustainable regional development of Kazakhstan

Investments in population health are considered a key factor of sustainable regional development. They are closely linked to human capital reproduction, demographic stability, and social resilience. Under conditions of territorial inequality, the effectiveness of such investments varies significantly across regions. This is especially typical for territories characterized by a pronounced core – periphery structure. In Kazakhstan, the regional dimension of health investment efficiency remains an important academic and policy issue. The purpose of this study is to assess the role of investments in population health in ensuring sustainable regional development. The research focuses on East Kazakhstan region. Special attention is paid to Ust-Kamenogorsk as the regional center as a concentration point of medical resources. The study analyzes investment dynamics, resource provision, and performance indicators of the healthcare system from the period 2019–2025. The empirical basis includes official statistical data from the Bureau of National Statistics and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The research methodology combines dynamic, comparative, and structural analysis. It also, includes intraregional comparisons between the region as a whole and the regional center. The scientific contribution of the study lies in identifying the limited equalizing effect of healthcare investments at the regional level. The results show that increased funding contributes to the stabilization of healthcare system functioning and supports the recovery of selected performance indicators after the pandemic period. However, the territorial concentration of medical infrastructure and healthcare personnel reduces the social returns of investments in peripheral areas. The value of the study consists in substantiating institutional and territorial constraints that limit the effectiveness of social investments. The practical significance of the results is related to their potential use in designing targeted regional healthcare policies. These policies are aimed at improving access to medical services and reducing intraregional disparities.

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