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

Beyond human capital, the United States needs to spark a housing construction boom by drastically reducing environmental regulations and to eliminate subsidies for builders, letting the market work. —Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024

Developing Soft Skills—Communication, leadership, teamwork and emotional intelligence are essential components of human capital. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

SMEs, for example, would be able to punch above their weight by augmenting their workforce with AI capabilities, empowering them to compete with larger companies that have ascended based on superior access to specialized human capital. —Riccarda Joas, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2024

The key components to building human capital: Education and Training—Priorities include formal education, professional certifications and industry-specific training. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above