Assessment of social protection challenges and status for agricultural workers in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Agriculture plays a key role in the economy of any state. In Kazakhstan, out of a rural population of 7,444,673, there are 3,573,443 economically active individuals. In Kazakhstan, a total of 1,078,720 people are employed in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Of these, 478,366 are wage workers, while 600,354 are self-employed. Rural unemployment affects 4.8%. In 2023, individuals working in agriculture in Kazakhstan earned an average monthly wage of 199,536 tenge, placing them second from the bottom in the income rankings. Despite increasing agricultural output, the wages of these workers are concerning. Consequently, their low and erratic social contributions affect the future quality of social protection regarding old age, job loss, and other social risks.