human capital

American  

noun

1. the collective skills, knowledge, or other intangible assets of individuals that can be used to create economic value for the individuals, their employers, or their community.

   Education is an investment in human capital that pays off in terms of higher productivity.

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human capital British  

noun

1. economics the abilities and skills of any individual, esp those acquired through investment in education and training, that enhance potential income earning

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Etymology

Origin of human capital

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

human capital

In an interview with the Journal, Nadella argued that tech giants should work to “earn the social permission” of the public and that companies should place value on human capital, not just in-house AI capability.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

“I think we’re missing the more important question: What is our ability to provide support? Do we have the human capital in place? I don’t have the answer.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

They purchased SaaS as a substitute for internal capability, accumulated organizational debt — and now lack the human capital to navigate a transition that is fundamentally about people and process.

From MarketWatch ● May 27, 2026

Ceding control of the air, through poor procurement choices and insufficient investment in human capital, would be a strategic failure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 4, 2026

The reason is that upward mobility requires what sociologists describe as the twin pillars of success: human capital and social capital.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times