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

The economic boom brought in by human capital from Russians and Ukrainians fleeing to the country over the Russian invasion of Ukraine helped offset concerns about his divisive foreign policy. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2026

Jacqueline Arthur, Goldman’s head of human capital management, told Fortune that this reflects a deliberate approach to hire beyond the bank’s traditional pipeline. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 June 2026

They are asked to trim costs, including human capital, while beating the competition and finding new growth. — Jill Shedek, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Much of my career was spent on human capital management, which has given me a personnel-first approach. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for human capital

• capitol
• noncapital