The purpose of the study is to analyze the main approaches to assessing human capital and develop proposals for its most objective assessment of it at the different levels of manifestation - individual, microeconomic and macroeconomic. The article considers the basic approaches to the evaluation of human capital, used in practice: retrospective (costly) and prospective (income based). Cost based methods involve measuring the value of human capital based on the total costs associated with its formation. The proposed additional evaluation criteria, in particular, the use of the expert approach and the developed indicators of a qualitative assessment of the human capital of the enterprise will allow development that is more efficient and use of available human resources. Human capital is becoming a major factor in the formation and development of an innovative economy and knowledge economy. Accordingly, the proposed additions to the assessment of human capital at the country level are aimed at assessing it from a new angle, taking into account the current global trends in the formation of an innovative economy and digitalization. They meet qualitatively new requirements for human capital as the main productive factor in the creation of new highly efficient technologies that promote the active development of the social sphere, science, education, health, etc.

This study aims is to explore of the theoretical concepts of regional imbalances and spatial inequality, analysis of spatial distribution of economic growth and identifying of “growth poles” for sustainable development in the regions of Kazakhstan. Based on the theoretical views, we conclude that the key direction of regional policy is the search and development of “growth poles”, which will distribute their potential equally to backward regions. The authors propose the methodological tools for presenting a standard form of evaluation of spatial distribution and inequality of the regions of Kazakhstan. This study confirms the importance of using of proposed methods and its application for objectively and realistically defines “growth poles” for sustainable development. Further, the obtained results showed the distribution of Kazakhstan's regions by economic growth and specialization with using modified index of KDI. According to the results of this theoretical and empirical study proved that distribution of the regions of Kazakhstan and results of KDI indexes shows that the spatial differentiation of economic development, but its level and dynamics are different in different respects. In addition, according to the conducted survey, we conclude that one of the most important tasks is sustainable growth based on “growth poles” for sustainable development.

The aim of this study is theoretical and methodological justification of formation of a new policy of spatial development of Kazakhstan's economy, which is based on the principles of inclusiveness and smart specialization. Unlike previous research, the scientific significance of the obtained results consists in the conceptual justification of the basic theoretical concepts; spatial development, covering issues of concentration, specialization, and location of production. In this study, we used scientific methods: conceptual approach involves studying various concepts of spatial development on the principle of inclusive growth and smart specialization; economic analysis allows conducting a brief assessment of the economic status of regions for a certain period; structured approach involves to the formation of new policy of spatial development. Based on this research we conclude that most successful regions have formed based on principles of inclusiveness and smart specialization, which increases opportunities for well-functioning synergistic mechanism in the field of advanced technologies with subsequent access to global markets.