human capital

noun

: the skills, knowledge, and qualifications of a person, group, or workforce considered as economic assets

Nothing is more important to a company, nation, or individual than intelligence. It is the fundamental key to problem-solving and wealth creation, and underpins the human capital that drives every company and nation forward.

—Peter H. Diamandis

In fact, the evidence suggests that public investments in human capital, including higher education, yield long-term economic rates of return that far exceed most standard investments in technology or capital.

—Edward L. Glaeser

All of this coincided with the emergence in academe of the idea of "human capital": the notion that the more skilled the work force, the more productive it tends to be.

—Denis P. Doyle et al.

Examples of human capital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Niki Jorgensen, managing director of client implementation at Insperity, specializes in human capital management and HR infrastructure. —Niki Jorgensen, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

China should issue at least 10 trillion yuan ($1.42 trillion) in ultra-long government bonds in the next year or two for investment in human capital, said Liu Shijin, former deputy head of the Development Research Center at the State Council, China’s top executive body. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2024

A couple of gaps relate to supply chain or merchandising experience, human capital focus, and someone who cares about natural capital. —Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

The Securities and Exchange Commission is debating whether to require new disclosures about human capital management, or working conditions inside a firm. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above