Scientific Bulletin of Mukachevo State University. Series “Economics”

Vol. 12, No. 2, 2025 30.06.2025 open access Open access

Social entrepreneurship in the Republic of Kazakhstan as a tool for increasing employment among socially vulnerable population groups

Saule Okutayeva, Gulnara Baibash, Gulzhan Kadyrova, Nurgul Yesmagulova, Gulmira Rakhimova

DOI https://doi.org/10.52566/msu-econ2.2025.121 Pages 121 –134 Views 1,413 Views

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine social entrepreneurship as a means of employment for socially vulnerable population groups in the Republic of Kazakhstan. A contextual analysis of the national labour market was conducted using the PEST framework and statistical data from the Bureau of National Statistics, the Asia Pacific Career Development Association, and the World Bank Group. The cases of three social enterprises in Kazakhstan, Green TAL, Garbar Group, and Kunde, were also analysed. The contextual analysis demonstrated that despite a relatively low average annual unemployment rate of 3.3-3.6%, certain categories of the working-age population remain the least competitive in terms of receiving job offers, earning competitive wages, or achieving career advancement. These categories include graduates of vocational and higher education institutions without work experience, women, and persons with physical disabilities. The case studies demonstrated the high potential of socially oriented enterprises in addressing systemic social issues, including job creation, training and retraining of specialists, elevating the status of specific professions, and reducing property inequality. Several strategy groups were developed to enhance the effectiveness of social enterprises in employing vulnerable population groups: expansion of state support and regulatory frameworks for social entrepreneurship; development of a financial and investment support system for socially oriented enterprises; educational and advisory initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of the prospects of social entrepreneurship; and the development of partnerships and infrastructure in the field of social enterprise. The findings may be used to improve the performance of socially oriented enterprises, the activities of which have only been legally regulated since 2021

Keywords

social entrepreneurship, employment, inclusive labour market, working-age population, income inequality, legislative regulation

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Suggested citation

Okutayeva, S., Baibash, G., Kadyrova, G., Yesmagulova, N., & Rakhimova, G. (2025). Social entrepreneurship in the Republic of Kazakhstan as a tool for increasing employment among socially vulnerable population groups. Scientific Bulletin of Mukachevo State University. Series “Economics”, 12(2), 121-134. https://doi.org/10.52566/msu-econ2.2025.121