The purpose of this study is to examine ethnic variations in population fertility in the 1950–1960s, formed in the context of socio-economic development of Kazakhstan. The 1959, 1970, 1989 population censuses, and statistical almanacks “National Economy of Kazakhstan” became the source base of this research. The theory of modernization, interpreted as the transition from traditional to modern society and reflecting the details of ethnically differentiated process of demographic development of Kazakhstan in the mid-20th century provided the methodological basis of the research. Ethnic differentiation within the settlement system and socio-economic activities that developed in Kazakhstan in the 1950–1960s led to ethnically distinct birth rates among Kazakhs and Russians. The demographic potential acquired by Kazakhs in the middle of the 20th century became the demographic basis of sovereign Kazakhstan.

Keywords: Kazakhstan, Kazakhs, Russians, fertility, demography, traditions, large families, socioeconomic development.

 

Funding. The research was carried out with the financial support of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of the grantscientific project AP19676895 “Kazakhs as the demographic potential of Kazakhstan: a retrospective and development prospects”.

 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Accepted: 28.02.2024

Article is published: 15.06.2024