The impacts of transition on the household in the provinces of Kazakhstan: the case of Atyubinsk Oblast.

Abstract

This paper discusses the main economic and social changes that have affected the well-being of households in Akytubinsk Oblast in Kazakhstan and describes the general responses of the households to these changes. The analysis is based on secondary statistical data and on the results of a detailed household survey conducted in the Oblast during 1996-1997. The paper suggests that the economic policies that were designed to bring about an improvement in economic efficiency in production and consumption units have, at least in the short-run, contributed significantly to the complete or partial withdrawal of households from the official socioeconomic structures. This withdrawal has occurred extremely quickly and has acute implications for further policy development. A number of these policy measures, aimed at accelerating the reformalisation of the local economy, are discussed.