World Bank2025-05-122025-05-122025-05-12https://hdl.handle.net/10986/43181Kazakhstan holds a strategic position between China, Europe, and the Middle East, but has historically been underutilized as an economic and transit bridge because of poor connectivity across the country. This has not only hindered Kazakhstan’s ability to leverage its geographical advantage but also led to pronounced regional disparities. Lack of efficient transport links contributed to unequal access to employment, education, healthcare, and social and cultural opportunities. Transit costs were high in terms of time, finances, and vehicle wear and tears, which posed significant obstacles to international commerce and stymied local socioeconomic progress, particularly in the southern regions. These challenges disproportionately impacted women, who faced greater unemployment and suffered from high maternal mortality rates because they cannot quickly reach medical care. These issues were compounded by persistent underinvestment and limited institutional capacity within the road sector, which further impeded the development of robust transportation infrastructure.en-USCC BY-NC 3.0 IGOECONOMIC GROWTHDECENT WORKRURAL DEVELOPMENTURBAN DEVELOPMENTTRANSPORTCONNECTIVITYBriefWorld Bank10.1596/43181