Abstract
This study addresses the growing need for more robust and systematic approaches to assessing the quality of human capital in the context of ongoing socio-economic transformation. Human capital is recognized as a key driver of sustainable economic growth, regional competitiveness, and improved development outcomes. Its quality is shaped by institutional environments, state social and educational policies, and investment levels in education, healthcare, and professional skill development. The main objective of this study is to enhance existing approaches to evaluating human capital quality through an integrated analytical framework. The methodology combines a systematic literature review, comparative analysis, and conceptual modeling to capture the multidimensional nature of human capital as an economic, institutional, and social construct. This interdisciplinary approach enables a more comprehensive understanding of how human capital quality can be measured and interpreted across regions. The originality of the study lies in its synthesis and classification of existing measurement approaches, with particular attention to the context of Kazakhstan’s socially oriented economic model and sustainable development priorities. The research proposes a structured framework for ranking human capital quality into high, medium, and low levels based on key assessment criteria. This classification provides a practical tool for policymakers to evaluate regional disparities and improve the design of socio-economic development strategies. The findings contribute to both theoretical advancement and practical policymaking by offering an improved basis for monitoring, comparing, and enhancing human capital quality at the regional level.