Abstract
This article focuses on the relationship between perceived security and subjective wellbeing (SWB) in Kazakhstan. It examines 1) how wellbeing changed in Kazakhstan from 2018 to 2021, 2) how perceptions of security (security from violence, from fraud, assault, and theft) were associated with change in citizen’s subjective wellbeing. In addition, we investigated the difference in subjective wellbeing between regions of Kazakhstan that experienced riots in 2022 and those that did not. Based on the Kazakhstan household budget survey (N = 12,000) we found that subjective wellbeing increased from 2018 to 2021 in Kazakhstan. Second, if people feel satisfied from perceived security, it is positively associated with SWB. Understanding the differences in SWB, can help policy makers to take measures in order to improve people’s wellbeing and prevent negative outcomes.