Abstract
This article examines how state regulation of internal migration affects urban development in Kazakhstan. Using a mixed-methods design that combines demographic analysis with the Institutional Gap Framework, the research evaluates current migration management mechanisms. The study’s main scientific contribution lies in conceptualizing the “institutional vacuum” in migration policy and demonstrating that interventions fail when they overlook the actual absorptive capacity of receiving cities. Results indicate that existing state support measures, such as mobility certificates, prioritize short-term financial incentives over systemic solutions for housing and infrastructure. Consequently, in northern regions, direct subsidies act merely as temporary buffers against demographic decline. Conversely, spontaneous migration to major metropolitan areas increases the risk of infrastructure overload and unregulated suburbanization. Ultimately, improving internal migration policy requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account the practical socioeconomic capacities of receiving urban systems.