Investing in Kazakhstani youth

With youth unemployment rates among the lowest in the world, Kazakhstani youth do not face high barriers in entering employment. One issue of major concern, however, is job quality, with many young people employed in low-quality, low-paid jobs, often in the informal sector. Within this context, this chapter looks at the demand- and supply-side barriers to good quality job opportunities for youth in Kazakhstan. First, it analyses demand-side barriers to youth employment, with a particular focus on: the cost of hiring and the employment protection legislation. Second, it discusses the extent to which labour market and social policies support the employability of youth in Kazakhstan, particularly looking at: the role of skills in helping youth gaining access to high-quality jobs the Public Employment Service and Active Labour Market Programmes to help youth (back) into (formal) work social protection mechanisms to mitigate the negative consequences of being out of employment as well as family policies to help youth (and especially young women) better balance family and work responsibilities.