This research assesses how the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) conceptualise and measure gender equality and women’s access to economic opportunities through the case of Kazakhstan. Methodology. The study conducts a comparative institutional and indicator analysis of the Women, Business and the Law 2026 report, the Social Institutions and Gender Index 2023, UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index and Gender Development Index, ILO labour statistics, and the official labour market statistics of Kazakhstan. The comparison is organised into four analytical levels, including formal rights and implementation mechanisms; discrimination based on social institutions; gender-based human development outcomes; and realised labour market outcomes. Originality/value. Rather than treating international gender indices as equivalent measures, this research treats each index as an instrument designed to address a particular aspect of gender equality. This allows researchers to discern gaps between formal legal conditions, institutional restrictions, human development achievements, and actual economic outcomes. Findings. Kazakhstan’s WBL 2026 Legal Frameworks Index was reported at 73.0 out of 100, while its Supportive Frameworks Index was reported at 57.43; an aggregate Enforcement Perceptions score is unavailable. Kazakhstan scored 20.9 out of 100 in SIGI 2023, falling into the low-discrimination category, with restricted physical integrity remaining its weakest dimension. UNDP reported a 2023 GII of 0.182 and a rank of 50 out of 172 economies; the GDI was reported at 1.004, indicating near parity in overall human development. However, women’s estimated gross national income per capita and labour force participation continue to be lower than those of men. Additionally, national statistics continue to document a significant difference in wages between men and women. The research indicates that legal equality, institutional conditions, human development parity, and actual economic outcomes are related, yet analytically separate. Therefore, a layered assessment of equality and economic opportunity in Kazakhstan, incorporating legal, institutional

gender equality; women’s economic opportunities; gender indices; Kazakhstan; WBL; SIGI; labour market.