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

It’s been said before: Solving this problem will require a mobilization of human capital on par with World War II. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2023

This challenge is common among digital workers who experience growing complexity in their applications for customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, supply chain management or human capital management. —Khadim Batti, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023

By proactively considering long-term goals and leveraging technology and human capital, businesses can position themselves as leaders in the post-recession landscape, contributing to sustained growth and success in the future. —Steve Gallucci, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2023

Large numbers of working-class Muslims, the human capital underpinning the city’s prosperity, took flight. —Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2023

The top three social and human capital issues, chosen by about a quarter of respondents, were supply-chain management; data security; and employee engagement, diversity and inclusion. —David Breg, WSJ, 21 Sep. 2023

The parasitic behavior of such governments and their bureaucracies eventually drain the economy of its human capital and vitality. —John Kleinheinz, Fortune, 31 May 2023

Those include a company's intellectual property, brand equity, human capital and network effects. —WSJ, 14 Aug. 2023

Mitch leads the coaching practice at FMG Leading, a human capital strategy and advisory firm. —Mitch Mitchell, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above