The Great Generation of Kazakhstan: Insight Into the Future
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THE GREAT GENERATION OF KAZAKHSTAN: INSIGHT INTO THE FUTURE ALMATY – 2005 The United Nations Development Programme with participation of the United Nations Population Fund commissioned a group of authors to prepare the National Human Development Report for 2005 UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 coun- tries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners. Report materials could be reproduced in whole or in part, without prior permission of UNDP, provided proper reference is made to this publication. The analysis and recommendations expressed in this report do not necessarily represent the views of UNDP and UNFPA. This Report is an independent publication jointly produced by the groups of Kazakh- stani experts commissioned by UNDP and supported by UNFPA. FOREWORD BY MR. DANIAL AKHMETOV PRIME-MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN The dynamic market transformation that took place after independence has enabled signifi cant achievements by Kaza- khstan’s economy and allowed the initiation of large-scale outreach programmes. Pensions and benefi ts have been raised and so have wages in the Government-funded sector. In healthcare and educa- tion funding has been improved with a set of measures underway to enable systemic changes. Much focus has been on rural development and the State Program of Residential Construction. President Nazarbaev identifi ed sustainably improving quality and standard of living as a priority to be achieved for the country to become one of the top 50 most competitive countries. In this regard, the Government is focused on developing mechanisms of targeted social assistance for the poor and disadvantaged groups of the population and further improving the standards of social security and social services. This National Human Development Report is a wealthy source of information and can be a good starting point for the discussion of issues important for human development. It should be emphasized how topical and useful the UNDP-commissioned research on the role and needs of the older population is. It is even more important now when Kazakhstan is going through radical social and economic changes and shaping new priorities for the future. Finally, I would like to thank UNDP and the authors of the 2005 National Human Development Report for Kazakhstan for their good work and express confi dence that their future endeavors in Kazakhstan will be a success. 3 NATIONAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT – 2005 FOREWORD BY MRS. YURIKO SHOJI UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN In recent years the international research community has focused more on human measurements of economic devel- opment, which is captured in many strategic, programming and analytical documents of international organizations. Economic development should be translated into more and better choices, potential and capabilities of people. Human development enables poverty alleviation, democratic development and social and political stability in society, which along with other issues are topics of the yearly National Human Development Reports published in Kazakhstan since 1995. This year, the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the founding of the United Nations, UNDP in cooperation with UNFPA have prepared the tenth National Human Development Report. The Report analyses popula- tion ageing in Kazakhstan from the perspective of human development - a topic not suffi ciently studied but crucial for Kazakhstan’s further development. National policy in many countries including Kazakhstan needs to incorporate the issue of ageing and appropriate support mechanisms for older people into the mainstream of social and economic planning. Policies for employment, health, incomes and social care should take account of the needs of older people. Alongside the government, civil so- ciety, research and academic institutions, professional organizations, mass media and businesses should be extensively involved in improving the living standards and status of older people. Such organizations’ involvement in developing and monitoring targeted programs will facilitate coverage of various spheres of older people’s lives, making national policies more effective. Bilateral and multilateral donors must also take account of the contributions and needs of older people as a critical element in poverty reduction. This Report is based on independent research made by prominent national experts, whose views may not necessarily be those of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan or the United Nations. I wish to use this opportunity to extend my deep appreciation to all individuals and organizations that contributed to the development of this document. I believe that this Report will stimulate a wide national dialogue on the role and status of a great generation from the point of view of human development in Kazakhstan! 4 NATIONAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT – 2005 FOREWORD BY THE AUTHORS’ GROUP Over the last decades many countries have faced an increase in the proportion of older people in their total populations, which is called population ageing. Global ageing is an unprecedented phenomenon in human history and therefore all situation assessments are based on estimations and projections. However most researchers believe such processes will have serious implications in many fi elds of life and need to be studied and analyzed, including an analysis from the perspective of the human development implications. Population ageing is observed in both the CIS neighbor states and developed European countries. The UN experts estimate that the proportion of people aged 65+ will grow in the overall populations of such countries as Austria, Swit- zerland, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, etc. Population ageing is a relatively new phenomenon for Kazakhstan. According to the 1999 census, 6.7% of Kaza- khstan’s populations are people aged 65 and more, which indicates that Kazakhstan is at the threshold of ageing. The fact that Kazakhstan is become a country with a predominant share of older population suggests that policies concern- ing many issues need to be revised and a common concept of the state policy relating to older people developed. The authors of the report hope that its content and conclusions will enable a different perspective from which the role of the great generation in Kazakhstan’s society can be looked at. Authors’ group 5 NATIONAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT – 2005 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This National Human Development Report was made possible through support, assistance and valuable contributions from many entities and individuals. The authors extend their sincere gratitude to Mr. A. Ivanov, Human Development Program Offi cer of the UNDP Re- gional Bureau for Europe and the CIS, and Mr. N. van Himvegen, Deputy Director of the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute for their sound comments and valuable recommendations. Exceptionally useful comments and recommendations were provided by the UN Development Program and the UN Population Fund. Special thanks for substantial support and assistance should go to Ms. Yuriko Shoji, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, Mr. Gordon Johnson, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Kazakhstan, and Ms. Aida Alzhanova, UNFPA Assistant Representative. The authors would like to thank Ms. Djoldasbaeva and Mr. Shalakhmetov, deputies of the Mazhilis of the RK Parlia- ment, Mr. Babakumarov, of the RK Presidential Administration, and Ms. Meshimbaeva, Center for System Research, for their invaluable contributions. The authors and the Task Force are sincerely thankful to Mr. Kaliuly, Chairman of the UN Association, for his support ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and signifi cant contribution to the promotion and distribution of the Report. The Report was revised by many governmental agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Ministry of Education & Science, Ministry of Economy & Budget Planning, Ministry of Health, Agency for Civil Service Affairs, and the Pubic Administration Academy under the President of Kazakhstan. Thanks are also extended to the RK Statistics Agency, UN Agencies and international organizations for statistical data and research materials. A signifi cant contribution to the preparation and revision of the Report’s outline was made by the participants of a roundtable held in Astana in October 2005. The authors would like to thank all participants for a constructive discus- sion and recommendations. Special thanks go to the International Institute of Contemporary Politics and NGO Ardager for comments and suggestions regarding the structure and content of the Report. 6 NATIONAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT – 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD BY MR. DANIAL AKHMETOV, PRIME-MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN . 3 FOREWORD BY MRS. YURIKO SHOJI, UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN . 4 FOREWORD BY THE AUTHORS’ GROUP . 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS . 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . 9 ACRONYMS . 12 INTRODUCTION. POPULATION AGEING IN THE WORLD AND IN KAZAKHSTAN . 13 CHAPTER 1. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN KAZAKHSTAN AND ITS INDICATORS . 17 1.1 Trends in economic development and allocation from the national budget to social needs . 18 1.2 Human development indicators for different age groups