CHILD POVERTY IN LARGE FAMILIES: EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Abstract

This article presents an empirical analysis of child poverty in large families in Kazakhstan, based on qualitative research - in-depth semi-structured interviews with 17 large families receiving targeted social assistance (TSA). The study reveals that children in poor large families face severe restrictions in access to adequate nutrition, education, and healthcare, negatively affecting their physical, cognitive, and social development. Despite the existence of government programmes such as TSA, Nurly Zhol, and Auyl - el besigi, child poverty levels remain high, indicating significant gaps in policy implementation.

Empirical analysis identified three critical problems: TSA payments cover only 40-50% of food expenditures; bureaucratic barriers require families to visit 4-7 government agencies; and waiting lists for public kindergartens extend to 6-12 months. The aim of this article is to assess the real-world effectiveness of state social support programmes and to develop evidence-based policy recommendations focused on improving targeting, expanding access to pre-school education, and enhancing parental employment conditions.