CONSUMPTION STANDARDS IN ENSURING FOOD SECURITY IN KAZAKHSTAN: ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT

Abstract: This study presents a macroeconomic assessment of food security in Kazakhstan for the period 2020–2024 and offers practical recommendations based on international experience and an original approach. The main hypothesis suggests that limited economic access to food and an unbalanced dietary structure - driven by inflation and income inequality - are the key barriers to food security. The research employs both quantitative and qualitative methods, including the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), regression analysis of income-based food consumption, comparison of energy intake with WHO standards, and international benchmarking. Findings confirm the hypothesis: there is a clear gap between actual consumption and nutritional standards, evidence of hidden hunger, high food vulnerability among rural households, and a strong link between income and diet quality. Based on the results and global best practices, the study proposes innovative policy measures such as smart subsidies, digital food vouchers, support for agro-parks, development of logistics infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns. These findings may contribute to the formulation of Kazakhstan’s National Food Security Strategy through 2030 and the localization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.