Social Well-Being of Kazakhstan’s Children: Results of Sociological Research

During the years of independence of Kazakhstan (former Soviet country), a national model for the protection of children's rights has been formed, based on institutional and legislative levels in accordance with international standards. International and domestic experts on children's rights note that Kazakhstan has made progress in ensuring the rights of children, their economic, legal and social well-being. However, international researchers point to the existing problems in the field of child protection: Despite impressive economic growth rates and a simultaneous increase in the overall quality of life in Kazakhstan over the past 15 years, children are a still vulnerable group. The researchers note the need for further comprehensive monitoring of the well-being of children, that further efforts should be aimed at expanding the set of indicators, in order to provide more information about the quality of services and their results for children. A number of results of the study conducted by the Center for the Study of Public Opinion are presented in this paper. The study showed: the majority of Kazakhstani children (85%) noted high marks (8-10) of happiness, the average value of happiness rating is 8.8 points out of 10. Children aged 8-12, children living in villages and children brought up in families with two parents feel happier. At the same time, it was revealed that the majority of children (58%) are experiencing, as they think, a problem, something worries them.