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

Human resources need to be in the thick of it, understand the business, the product, and all the services, offerings, and components, and then utilize that knowledge in managing the company’s human capital. —William Mullane, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024

These findings emphasize the evolving recognition of human capital as both a potential vulnerability and a vital asset in cybersecurity—if trained effectively—while also showcasing the need for more agile response mechanisms. —Sivan Tehila, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

That is something that Deliveroo, which relies on a fleet of casual human capital, is extremely resistant to accept, despite being pushed hard by the EU. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 14 Mar. 2024

The ability of business functions to leverage this human capital and to share it cross-functionally is a valuable decision making and problem-solving tool. —Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

At its core, Georgism would have promoted the mobility of human capital so essential to progress. —John Tamny, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

This willful ignorance is geopolitically self-destructive and irresponsible, as today’s world order is determined by the productive and innovative power of a nation’s human capital, which drives national wealth. —Roy Swan, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2024

The workforce can feel like an uncertain place; even more so for business owners searching for qualified human capital to act as the foundational underpinning of their business growth. —David Stubblefield, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024

With most of OpenAI’s 770 employees seemingly up for grabs, competitors big and small could snap up some of the all-too-valuable human capital that makes the tech world turn. —Brian Contreras, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above