Assessment of the Level of Depression and Vulnerability of Settlements: on the Example of the Regions of Western Kazakhstan

The aim of the study is to assess the level of vulnerability of the economy and social sphere of depressed settlements in the example of the regions of western Kazakhstan (Atyrau, Mangystau and West Kazakhstan). The following research methods were used to visualize the data: bibliographic, tabular, and grouping of data. The initial data for 2009-2020 for the study were taken from statistical data of the Bureau of National Statistics, regional departments of statistics, various electronic resources, etc. According to the results of the analysis, indicators of the development of districts in Mangystau, Atyrau and West Kazakhstan regions were obtained, in which depressed and vulnerable territories were identified. The data obtained indicate that in vulnerable areas of Kazakhstan there is significant interregional inequality in terms of the level and quality of life. A number of social indicators of the level and quality of life of the population have huge interregional gaps. The analysis as a whole makes it possible to positively assess the possibilities of the prospective development of these territories within the framework of the historically developed specialization of the economy in the presence of transport flows between cities and regions. At the same time, to outline ways to further diversify their economies in order to get out of the state of depression and vulnerability. The developed methodology was tested on the example of the regions of Western Kazakhstan, which proves the possibility of its application both by government authorities to identify settlements in need of state support and in further research.