Sociocultural Dynamics of Welfare Support in Central Asia: Findings from Nationally Representative Surveys

Abstract This study assesses how the countries of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia are attempting to utilize welfare reform to address the growing concerns around wealth inequality. Specifically, it seeks to better understand citizen support for welfare services within these two countries and how cultural aspects of these two societies have shaped the welfare reform dialogue and service planning processes. The authors used nationally representative data from Life in Transition surveys (LiTS) conducted in 2010 (N = 1,000 in Kazakhstan; N = 1,016 in Kyrgyzstan) and 2015 (N = 1,505 in Kazakhstan; N = 1,500 in Kyrgyzstan) by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development. The study performs empirical testing of hypotheses of welfare support based on theories of self-interest, reciprocity, and Muslim identity. Findings indicate that: (a) the use of public services increased the support for welfare programs; (b) personal encounters with bribing reduced the support for welfare over time; and (c) the Muslim identity increased the willingness to pay more taxes among citizens for such services. Future studies should include assessing the religiousness and Zakat-related adherence of Muslim respondents.