Abstract
Kazakhstan’s educational expansion and increased mobility have created opportunities for internal migrants, and the nation’s largest city Almaty has attracted diverse populations seeking advancement through education and employment. But significant disparities persist between rural and urban-origin migrants, raising questions about the equalizing effects of internal migration and higher education. Therefore, we examined intergenerational educational and class mobility patterns among 455 first-generation migrants to Almaty, analyzing how regional origin shapes socioeconomic trajectories. Using frameworks of cumulative (dis)advantage and direct effects of social origin, our study revealed complex mobility patterns: while rural migrants showed stronger intergenerational mobility in education and class, they faced persistent structural disadvantages. Higher education, though generally beneficial, yielded reduced returns for rural-origin individuals, who more frequently entered lower-status occupations despite comparable qualifications. Rural origin’s direct impact was limited when controlling for education and parental class, yet disadvantages persisted through other mechanisms. These findings challenge Almaty’s status as an “escalator region” and show that education does not equalize opportunities, as origin-based inequalities still determine life outcomes despite mobility gains. Results indicate the need to address educational gaps, labor stratification, and social capital’s role in inequality.