What household structure encourages innovation? Comparative analysis of a case study of female labor in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31489/2025ec1/30-42

Keywords:

Patrilocality hypothesis, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Household work allocation, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Econometric analysis, Female labor supply, Marriage arrangements

Abstract

This study examines the impact of patrilocality on women’s work in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. It demonstrates how the dominance of the husband in decision-making affects women’s activity in the labor market. This hinders the innova-tive development of the country and limits the country’s entrepreneurial potential. The authors use Life in Kyrgyzstan 2019 data in econometric analysis, with OLS and Tobit models. This statistical analysis focuses on the relationship be-tween household structure and labor force participation of married women in Kyrgyzstan. Since similar data is not available for Kazakhstan, the comparative analysis is based on a review of the literature. The authors assume that the patriarchal structure of families has become widespread in both neighboring countries due to the similar mentality, tra-ditions, and history of the Kyrgyz and Kazakhs. The authors find that women in patrilocal households spend more hours at home compared to women in households with other family structures. Moreover, the husband’s dominance in family decision-making correlates positively with the number of hours the wife works outside the home. This demonstrates a positive effect of intrahousehold income distribution mechanisms. The findings highlight the need for policies to sup-port women’s economic activity in both countries. The authors conclude that addressing barriers created by traditional male-headed households can increase women’s contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship, thereby contributing to economic growth and development in Central Asia.

Author Biographies

Irina Kovaleva, KIMEP University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Irina Kovaleva is a doctoral student at the Department of Economics, KIMEP University, with over five years of academic and teaching experience. Her research primarily explores labor relations, employment dynamics, and gender inequality. Since 2024, Irina has been a key contributor to a significant research project funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, focusing on the subjective well-being in Kazakhstan and the impacts of targeted social assistance programs on income, well-being, and poverty reduction. The project's grant IRN is AP23487405.

Irina is also a recipient of a prestigious mentorship in economic research through the Greater Eurasia Research Center and the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC). Within this framework, she has authored impactful research on the gender wage gap in Kyrgyzstan, examining its factors, disparities, and policy implications. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of income inequality and gender dynamics in Central Asia.

Her presentations include a notable appearance at the KIMEP International Research Conference (KIRC), where she discussed "The Gender Wage Gap and Income Inequality in Kyrgyzstan," showcasing her commitment to addressing critical economic issues through rigorous research and analysis.

Leon Taylor, Tulane University, New Orleans, USA

 

Dr. Leon Earle Taylor is an accomplished economist with a rich academic and professional background, primarily focusing on environmental and development economics. He completed his BA in economics and history at Indiana University, Bloomington, and earned his PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Dr. Taylor has held academic positions at institutions including Tulane University and the University of Guam. His research spans theoretical and statistical economics with a regional emphasis on the Soviet and Post-Soviet territories, particularly Central Asia. Notable published works by Dr. Taylor explore economic sanctions, forecasting methods, and the impact of "dirty" industries on economies.

Beyond academia, Dr. Taylor has contributed to journalism and editorial projects, underscoring his multidisciplinary expertise. His tenure at the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics, and Strategic Research (KIMEP) as an Associate Professor and adviser to the president marked significant contributions to both the university and the broader economic community. Dr. Taylor continues to influence the fields of economics through both scholarly and practical applications.

Gerald Pech, KIMEP University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Dr. Gerald Pech is an Associate Professor and has served as the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences for ten years. He earned his PhD in Economics from Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. Dr. Pech has held teaching and research positions at the Bochum and Dortmund Graduate School, the University of St. Andrews, the National University of Ireland, Galway, the American University in Bulgaria, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. His research interests include budget policy, public debt, constitutional economics, tax evasion economics, coalition formation, and applied game theory. Dr. Pech has published extensively, including works on intra-party decision making and the economics of coalition governments. He is a member of the editorial board of Theoretical Economics Letters.

Eldar Madumarov, KIMEP University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Dr. Eldar Madumarov is an Assistant Professor with a PhD from Carl von Ossietzky University in Oldenburg, Germany. His research areas include economic growth and development, institutional economics, international trade and investment, and transitional economies. Alongside his academic career, he has contributed to international development projects such as the GTZ's Private Sector Development and Sustainable Economic Development initiatives. Dr. Madumarov earned his Master’s degree in International Economics from the Kyrgyz-Russian University in July 2003 and a Bachelor's in Economics in July 2002 from the same institution. He has taught courses in Applied Microeconomics, Econometric Methods, and International Trade at KIMEP. His significant works include publications on external factors of economic growth in transitional economies and trade performance.

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2025-03-30

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