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 business side wants dollars and cents and efficiencies, great machines made up of human capital and intellectual property to create the value that everyone along the way taps into to pay for those Hamptons summers. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 13 June 2025

Politico reported Friday that Nedd instructed career the bureau employees to ignore a May 2 memo from Stephanie Holmes, a former DOGE staffer who is now Interior's acting chief human capital officer. —Arkansas Online, 29 May 2025

The ability to work for local municipalities translates well for candidates hoping to remain in public service, said Charlene Stevens, vice president of human capital who leads executive recruitment services with firm MGT. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025

This combination of material issues further requires directors to focus on human capital factors. —John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for human capital

• capitol
• noncapital