Abstract
The housing policies in Kazakhstan, specifically targeted at single-parent families, have resulted in unintended negative consequences, notably an increase in divorce rates, as many couples strategically separated to qualify for housing benefits. Despite the significance of this issue, it has largely been overlooked and remains undocumented in the literature. This study offers the first comprehensive assessment of the impact of these housing policies on divorce rates across different regions, using a panel dataset covering five housing programs implemented from 2000 to 2021. Through empirical analysis, we isolate the independent effects of these housing programs while controlling for region-specific characteristics and year-fixed effects. The results provide robust evidence that government housing initiatives have significantly contributed to the rise in divorce rates throughout the country.